Eaton VS 14 Bolt-Which to use?

[1969k10stepside]

I am planning on stepping up to 3/4 ton status in the k5 now before I break the 12 bolt (And adding a 60 up front later).I have 2 rear axles to choose from.One is a 14 bolt FF with Posi and the other being a good ol' Eaton Ho52 from a 72 3/4 ton.The 14 bolt is from a 1 ton so no moving the spring perches required,only moving the shock mounts.The eaton wont have to have the shock mounts moved but is from a 2wd.It does have leaf springs though so will the existing spring perches in the stock location work with my k5 or will they have to be moved?Is there a plus to using the 14 bolt other than parts availability? As for the front,what will I plan to spend to convert the 44 front to 8 lug?

[TATE228]

Id go with the 14b over the eaton. as far as the 44 sure you can convert one. ive got a 8 lug 44 in the front of my truck.

[special-K]

Most would say go with the 14-bolt.You`ve got one already,with no explaination.I am an HO52 lover and my one ton set up will have an Eaton.They are both excellent rears.But,the Eaton is way lighter(yet never break)and gives better clearance.Serious off-roaders in the know are looking for Eatons.Parts are still available for the Eaton,but brakes should be your only concern since these rears hold up so well.Then,there`s disc conversions if brakes become unavailable.You can use 14-bolt axles and diffs if those can`t be found.I think there`s alot more cool factor in having what came in these trucks and nothing made since is any better,35 years later.I just made an 800 mile round trip for an HO52 No-Spin.I guess I`d go with which ever need less work,if it`s all the same to you.I`m using the 14-bolt from my 1t set to replace the semi-floater in my`91 Suburban for cool factor.
The 2wd prches will need moved inward.

[pumpkin]

Eaton ho 52 and ho 72 are in my opinion stronger than the 14 bolt, and can give way more ground clearance. I put one in my blazer. Shaved the botom, and gained 1/2 an inch of clearance over the 12 bolt. The ho 52 and ho 72 look the same. The difference between them is the ho 72 has an adjustable deflection bushing that is opposite the pinion gear that sits thousands of an inch away from the ring gear to stop it from deflecting away from the piniongear under heavy load. The diff I have in the Blazer actually came out of a 3 ton dump truck.

[earl87gta]

Im a Eaton fan they have more ground clearence then the 14blt and they look cool. you can get every thing but gears for them now randys sells a 3rd meber rebuild kit and alot of the 14blt parts will work to. I have yet to see one break so and a lot of guys think there stronger then the 14blts.