5 lug 14bsf axle

[Critter]

I might should have posted this in the 88-98 section, but I figured more eyes would be on it here.

For those of you who are familiar with the 14 bolt SEMI-floating rear axes that started in the 80s have you ever ever seen a 5 lug version? I know for a fact there was a 5 lug version under the 454SS trucks in the early 90s but they are hard as heck to find. Many claim that is the only way to ever get the 5 lug 14bsf axle. BUT, lately I have had a few people tell me that the heaviest of half ton 88-98 2wd trucks could possibly have had the 5 lug 14bsf (usually something that was special ordered). This is the question at hand.

I do know for a fact the 88-98 4x4 could be had with a 6 lug 14bsf axle, but my concern is with the 2wd 5 lug version.

The reason for all this is I have considered finding one and putting it under the 72 swb in my signature. Just curious if its possible to find one in my local junkyard or if I'm wasting my time bending over looking under trucks. I know there won't be any 454SS trucks sitting around, but there are piles of old beat up 88-98 work truck sitting around!

[Bigdav160]

You're talking about the 9 1/2 gear, right? I say that because most people think of the 10 1/2 gear when they hear 14 bolt.

Other than the SS, I've never seen a 5 stud version. Even the 6 stud version was somewhat rare. They came in the light duty 3/4 ton trucks.

[Critter]

Yes sir, 14 bolt semifloater = 14bsf = 9.5" = C clips.

where as 14 bolt full floater = 14bff = 10.5" = no C clips.

I owned a 1995 light duty 3/4 ton with the 6 lug 14bsf and I've had friends that had 1/2 4x4 Z71s with the 6 lug 14bsf but I tend to agree with you that the only way to get the 14bsf with 5 lugs was under the 454SS. And that being the case I will probably just dump the money into my stock 12 bolt and call it good. I was just brainstorming a bit thinking about the 454SS axle swap.

[hugger6933]

I have owned two tons of those trucks[I know I always say it but I have been building wrecks since 87] and the Chevy GMC trucks were the thing I did[along with S-10's] The 90-92 454 SS is the only one I have EVER seen them in.There are some people that did not know that the General made the 454 SS into 91 and 92 with the diffs being a 4L80E trans instead of the t400 and White and Red along with the Black were added as colors. Other than that and the rear stickers being changed that is all I can remember being different about them from the 90 model. I know around 94-95 here and close by those trucks were not bringing any money at all. then they took off and the started up in price and just kept on going. At the 4 or 5 year old mark they were cheaper than a regular short truck with a 305 or 350 most were sick of them. Jim

[Grumpy old man]

My daily driver is a 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 Z71 with the 5.7 4l80 and has the 14 bolt with 6 lug axles and I have had many people tell me they never came that way but I have a bone stock truck sitting in my driveway that says they did ! would it be possible to just buy new axles to change it over to 5 lug ? or weld and redrill the flanges ? Anything is possible when enough cash is thrown at it !

[hugger6933]

I am sure Moser could make you up a set of 5 lug axles to go in place of the six lug ones but If I recall the brake size may have been different as well making that yet another challenge to overcome. Jim

[Critter]

Thanks guys. I have considered getting a 6 lug and having axle shafts made to fit with 5 lugs but width is an issue. The 454SS axle is almost the exact same width as the 72 12 bolt I currently have. Also I know the 4x4 6 lug version is considerably wider. However I don't know exactly how wide the 6 lug 2wd version is from under a light duty 3/4 ton 2wd. I think they are the same housing/width as the 5 lug 454SS axle, but I haven't been able to confirm that.

[Critter]

Bringing this back up, still kicking it around...

Does anybody have anything new to add?

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

You're talking about the 9 1/2 gear, right? I say that because most people think of the 10 1/2 gear when they hear 14 bolt.

Other than the SS, I've never seen a 5 stud version. Even the 6 stud version was somewhat rare. They came in the light duty 3/4 ton trucks.

The 6 lug 14SF 9.5" came under higher GVWR "heavy half" 1/2 ton 4wd, as well as light duty, lower GVWR 2wd and 4wd 3/4 tons. The 2wd version being narrower.

Originally Posted by Critter

Thanks guys. I have considered getting a 6 lug and having axle shafts made to fit with 5 lugs but width is an issue. The 454SS axle is almost the exact same width as the 72 12 bolt I currently have. Also I know the 4x4 6 lug version is considerably wider. However I don't know exactly how wide the 6 lug 2wd version is from under a light duty 3/4 ton 2wd. I think they are the same housing/width as the 5 lug 454SS axle, but I haven't been able to confirm that.

The light duty 3/4 2wd is narrower, by 3" than the 4wd version. 2wd=64.5" 4wd=67.5" WMS-WMS.

I think the 454SS 14sf is just an oddball, it is narrower than the 4wd, but wider than the 2wd. I'm not sure on the widths, but it is possible it is the same as a van 14sf housing.

At any rate I would just weld and redrill to 5 lug or get axles from Moser and drop by a parts store and pick up some 454ss drums and see if they interchange, if not weld/redrill or disk swap.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by GCncsuHD

The light duty 3/4 2wd is narrower, by 3" than the 4wd version. 2wd=64.5" 4wd=67.5" WMS-WMS.

I think the 454SS 14sf is just an oddball, it is narrower than the 4wd, but wider than the 2wd. I'm not sure on the widths, but it is possible it is the same as a van 14sf housing.

You bring up the main question, what is the housing width of the 454SS 5 lug compared to the housing of the 2wd 6 lug LD 2500? I have been told they are the exact same housing, but I haven't been able to measure one in person. IF they are the same or at least with a 1/2" then I would absolutely buy a 6 lug 2wd and redrill or buy new axles.

You are the first person I have talked to that said the 454ss is WIDER than the 2wd 6 lug. Up until now I have either heard they were the same, or some say the 5 lug is narrower than the 2wd 6 lug.

Also, if I'm not mistaken the van is the widest housing of them all.

[Critter]

And yes, either way I would swap out to disc brakes

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by Critter

You bring up the main question, what is the housing width of the 454SS 5 lug compared to the housing of the 2wd 6 lug LD 2500? I have been told they are the exact same housing, but I haven't been able to measure one in person. IF they are the same or at least with a 1/2" then I would absolutely buy a 6 lug 2wd and redrill or buy new axles.

You are the first person I have talked to that said the 454ss is WIDER than the 2wd 6 lug. Up until now I have either heard they were the same, or some say the 5 lug is narrower than the 2wd 6 lug.

Also, if I'm not mistaken the van is the widest housing of them all.

I base my assumption that a 454SS axle is wider than a 2wd LD 2500 14sf due to the very visible track width difference. Looking at a 2wd LD 2500, it is very evident that the rear axle is narrower just by looking at how inset the rear wheel is relative to the fender. On a 454SS, the track width is very close to identical front to rear.

As far as the van width, I am not sure on the widths, that was just a suggestion to look into. I do know it is wider than the 2wd truck 14sf.

[f.monroe]

I wonder which axle a half ton 2wd with the diesel had under it? Probably a hard truck to find but it may be something to look at.
Frank

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by f.monroe

I wonder which axle a half ton 2wd with the diesel had under it? Probably a hard truck to find but it may be something to look at.
Frank

You know, that's an interesting thought. I have never personally seen a 2wd 1/2 ton 6.5, but I know they are out there. They are a very rare bird. The 1/2 ton 4wd 6.5s are pretty rare as well, every one I have ever seen has also been a "heavy half" so the 14SF 6 lug rear BUT there are also 1/2 ton 6.5 Blazer/Tahoe/Jimmy/Yukons out there and I know for a fact those came standard with 10 bolt rears.

I have never seen a 1/2 ton 5 lug 2wd 6.5 to confirm the rear axle in person. It wouldn't be a stretch to say it has the same 5 lug 14SF as the 454SS, but it also wouldn't be a surprise if it just has a 10 bolt like the SUVs.

[57taskforce]

I know a guy who had one of those trucks. Old state road dept. trucks are a good place to look for the 1/2 ton 2 wheel diesel. I seem to remember his being a ten bolt for some reason tho. I havnt seen it in a year so I could be wrong.