How hard is it to swap in a 14 bolt?

[Ford Assassin]

Hey guys. Right now my stock '69 C10 has its original 12 bolt with 3.08 gears and peg-leg open diff. I was planning on swapping to 3.73 gears and adding a posi when I started thinking maybe I should just swap in a 9.5" 14 bolt instead.

When I still had my K5 I blew the 12 bolt all over the trail and swapped in a 14 bolt with ease and never had a hint of trouble with it afterward. However that was with a leaf spring rear suspension, not a trailing arms suspension like my current truck.

I am also interested in the swap because I also plan on towing an RV in the near future and don't want to worry about strength issues with my stock 40 year old 12 bolt.

I know where I could score a low mileage 9.5" 14 bolt complete with brakes, 6 lug axles, 3.73 gears, and posi for less than $100. Which would be hundreds (if not a thousand) less than rebuilding my 12 bolt.

My question is how hard would it be to swap in with my trailing arm rear suspension?

I am sure some of you have done this to your trucks, so lay it on me, what's involved?

Thanks guys!!

[umwtnt]

I have not done this swap but, just thinking about it, it should be fairly simple. I would check width of the 14 bolt first to ensure no fitting issues. Cut off the spring mount pads, purchase a new set of mounts, center the diff in the frame and mount everything. Don't forget to check your pinion angle before welding up your mounts. Of course before tighting or welding set everything at ride height to insure all is correct. Connect your brakes lines, E-brake cables and drive shaft and enjoy. I do not believe it would be much harder then the other differential swap you performed. Good luck and enjoy. Oh yeah, you may have to get a panhard kit from someone like ECE to keep the diff centered.

[sneakysnake]

Heres where you can pick up new mounts and U bolts but you will need an axle mount for the panhard bar.

http://www.stockcarproducts.com/trkarm1.htm

[Ford Assassin]

Thanks guys, I have the top end panhard bar from ECE, so no worries there.

The link you posted is for 3" tubes, the 14 bolt has 3.5" tubes.....

[sneakysnake]

Opps, might as well just cut the ones off an old axle,then they would be about 3.5".

[sneakysnake]

Originally Posted by sneakysnake

Opps, might as well just cut the ones off an old axle,then they would be about 3.5".

The axle width will probably screw up the U bolt from lining up with the trailing arm holes

[chevy72blu]

Sorry - I dont have any experience with this swap.

But, why not just convert to leaf springs in the process? Seems like it would simply things a bit.

[Ford Assassin]

Originally Posted by chevy72blu

Sorry - I dont have any experience with this swap.

But, why not just convert to leaf springs in the process? Seems like it would simply things a bit.

I should of posted this in my initial post, I am not interested in swapping to a leaf spring setup. I already have a Air Lift adjustable airbag setup along with new shocks, adjustable pan hard bar, trailing arm bushings, etc. Plus I like the nice and smooth ride the trailing arm setup gives me when cruising.