Upgrade to 8 lug while keeping the stock rear in 72 K5

[mcmlxix]

I don't plan on any hard core wheeling .. more pavement pounding with some exploring of the desert.... but I was thinking of upgrading to 8 lugs front and rear... there is a tech article on converting the factory front D44 ... but what about the factory rear?

I would like 8 lug and disc brakes on all 4 corners... did a search and most of the time its a 14BFF upgrade... Any options?

[raycow]

D60, which you might have to do a disc conversion on, and I believe there is also an 8 lug 14 bolt 9.5" SF.

Ray

[mcmlxix]

yeah. I was trying to keep the stock 12 Bolt and add disc brake and 8 lug axles....

[raycow]

There shouldn't be any problem getting caliper brackets for a 12 bolt. 8 lug shafts are going to be a totally custom proposition. Check with outfits like Currie, Moser or Strange to see if any of them can make shafts for you. It might be possible to modify a 9.5" shaft to work.

Ray

[scottsdaleowner75]

I would just find a set of complete 8 lug axles and swap them. Then sell yours. I found a set of 6 lug axles for my 86 K10 with aftermarket axles shafts front and rear and lockers front and rear with 4.10's for $500. They are out there. I just saw some 3/4 ton axles with 3.73's in my local CL for $600.

[68SWB4x4]

What is the point of going to 8 lugs if your keeping your stock axles?

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by 68SWB4x4

What is the point of going to 8 lugs if your keeping your stock axles?

little stronger without the extra weight and I was going to run factory H2 Hummer wheels because you can find them cheap....


Well I did just go look at parts truck that has 14bolt but not sure if FF or SF...
I need help to ID the front. I thought D60 but isn't it supposed to have studs on the passenger side spring perch??







This is on a 1980 truck with a service bed on the back.... but supposedly the previous previous owner "upgraded" it .....

[68SWB4x4]

upgrading your dana 44 to 8 lug and putting 8 lug axles in a 12bolt is not any stronger

that is a dana 44 front axle

[70 beast]

Originally Posted by 68SWB4x4

that is a dana 44 front axle

10 bolt corp.

and from the looks of it the rear is a full floater.

[mcmlxix]

ok... new question - D60 front axle from an 85 Chevy dually.... can it be converted from DRW to SRW easily? As in bolt on new hubs?

Also: Has anyone used a 14BFF from a late model (2001 or newer) truck? They have 3.73 or 4.10 gearing from the factory and disc brakes...

[USSkoval]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

ok... new question - D60 front axle from an 85 Chevy dually.... can it be converted from DRW to SRW easily? As in bolt on new hubs?

Also: Has anyone used a 14BFF from a late model (2001 or newer) truck? They have 3.73 or 4.10 gearing from the factory and disc brakes...

Yes and yes. Although it would be much easier to use the 14ff from the older truck and add the discs.

[68SWB4x4]

Originally Posted by 70 beast

10 bolt corp.

and from the looks of it the rear is a full floater.

my bad your right, I wasn't looking close enough

Also yes you can convert to single wheel hubs and are cheaper then you would think brand new www.gmpartsdirect.com part #15635530

[Mike C]

I am cheap. A GM Dana60 front is not. Dual or single, and it is pricey to change the hubs to SRW.

The Semi-float 14 bolt is WAY stronger than the 12 bolt, and has HUGE drum brakes. They may not drain as fast as discs, but it should have equal braking without having to swap master cylinders and jack with the combination valve. For a mostly street driven, mild off-road truck, this version of the 8 lug swap is the best IMO. A 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban can be found cheap, then just swap in the front and re-do perches on the rear. I reused my 12 bolt shock mounts. I built a jig off of the original housing and used it to transfer the brackets onto the SF 14. Most of the Suburbans will have 3.73 gears, the one I found had 4.10 with a Gov-Lok (aka Gov-BOMB).

[nikwho]

x2 - corporate 10 bolt
You can cheaply swap out to 8 lug 3/4 or 1 ton axles. My '83 K10 has 3/4 ton axles
14 bolt rear and corp 10 bolt front. Out of the right parts truck(mine came out of a one ton with 4:56 gears, detroit locker in rear even with fresh brake pads for $500 for the front and rear axles. They are out there if you look! And they bolt right in.

[nikwho]

one thing im not sure about is how to tell the difference between a ff and sf 14 bolt??? And specifically what the differences are? Thanks, Nik

[raycow]

The easiest way to see the difference is to take off the wheel cover or hub cap.

With the cap off, a SF looks like a car rear axle. The axle shaft ends in a fairly large flange with studs sticking out and the drum and wheel mount on that.

A FF has a small flange in the center with 8 bolt heads visible. These bolts attach the flange to a larger hub that the drum and wheel mount on. You can remove the 8 bolts and pull the shaft out without disturbing the wheel.

Internally, the 14B SF has a 9.5" ring gear and the shafts are held in by C-clips like the smaller GM rears. The FF has a 10.5" ring gear and no C-clips. The FF also has a straddle-mounted pinion like a Ford 9" or the GM-built 3/4 and 1 ton rears used 72 and earlier.

Ray

[mcmlxix]

OK... I gave up on trying to upgrade the stock axles... I will run them till I break something and just look for a good upgrade in the mean time... I was thinking Late Model 2002+ 14BFF out of a Sierra/Silverado or if someone comes up with a disc upgrade with an E-brake for old school 14BFF... I will keep looking for a Dana 60 for the front. I heard you can swap the DRW hubs for SRW hubs and be good to go for the front.... I need to find out if Dodge D60 front will fit the K5....