Any one running a 14-Bolt rear end

[david heater]

Ok, so I have time on my hands and have really been thinking who runs what.
I'm really leaning towards running a 14-bolt rear and taking my 9" and making it a front end.
Lets hear the pro's and con's here....

 

[Daddy4zack]

The 14 bolt's are Strong and cheap! Found everywhere and can be upgraded for less. The down side is that they are big and you loose ground clearence..

Aaron

 

[num]

All my chevy friends have 14b's on their rigs. My only suggestion is to find a dualie 14b, i.e. not quite full-width.

There are a whole slew of nice stuff you can get to jazz them up, i.e. ghetto cheap disc brake conversions, every locker manuf has one for the 14b.

The only shortcoming in my eyes is the sheer mass of the differential housing - obviously WAY too big... and drags low. Lots of people shaving them, bit of work.

Very stout axles no doubt.

For bronco's and short wheelbase rigs I'm more a fan of built d44s. I have 1ton axles on my Heep and the extra weight, just from the housing and the retardedly huge brakes it just overkill. The heep more just humps rocks instead of getting traction - a lot sloppier than the bronc.

The d44/9" combo can be made really stout. Unless you're running a 460 in your EB or have a 200:1 crawl ratio with 200ft/lb torque and love to smoke them on the rocks... I'd say you really don't need a 1-ton drivetrain. Although it's nice no doubt.

 

[Broncobowsher]

So you want to run 37's and have the clearance of 33's %)

 

[david heater]

So you want to run 37's and have the clearance of 33's %)

tossing around 40's+ and want the clearence of 37's like I said thinking about it right now my 9"and 44 are built pretty good, and I have even tossed around after market knuckles for the 44.
Dana 60's are too much thats why I said a 14bolt in the back and a 609 up front....

 

[Cavalry]

stuff to know


-common 14B sizes are 63.5, 67.5, 70 and72 WMS to WMS
-You can shave the bottom off for more clearance (1 1/2" is easy 2" can be had if you want to work for it)
-swapping discs is idiot easy, drops a bunch of weight.
-you are limited in your selection of lockers its getting better though!
-not too many low ratios. 5.13 is as low as you can go.
-- will have to convert to 8 lug up front.

i think my chevy side might be showing a bit?

 

[Cavalry]

All my chevy friends have 14b's on their rigs. My only suggestion is to find a dualie 14b, i.e. not quite full-width.

.

the dually axle from a pickup is wider than a standard axle. the dually axle from the cab and chassis is narrower than a standard axle