88-98 C1500 to 14 bolt conversion

[RedHeartbeat]

Well, finally wrapped up the rear end conversion to the 14 bolt 9.5" semi-floating rear from the 8.5" 10 bolt. The 14bolt had a 6 bolt pattern on the axles and 11" drum brakes. I picked this one up from Bud8fan and it was equipped with 3.42 gears and an Eaton LSD(limited slip differential). I disassembled it and had the axles filled and drilled for 5x5 bolt pattern, along with the brake drums. The 10bolt had 10" drums and these 11" drums will give me the all the braking power I'll ever need, though their mass may slow down my acceleration a smidge. While it was apart I blasted the cover, brake backing plates and drums, then painted them up nice. The rest of the housing was wire brushed to get years of 4 wheeling crud off the metal. New brakes, springs and all hardware relating to the brakes were replaced with new parts from Oriellys. So far the only issue I found was the the 4x4 axle is just a little bit more narrow than the 10 bolt leaving only about 3/8" clearance between my tires and the springs. Can you say "maximum backspacing"?

The driveshaft had to be shortened about 1" for my application, ECSB. I used the famous 447 Precision brand u-joint once again to convert from a 1-1/8" driveshaft to 1-3/16" cap joint on the rear end input yoke. I believe that's going from a 1344 to a 1350 size joint.

The track width on the 8.5" rear was 65-1/4".
The track width on the 9.5" rear was 64-5/8".

[DamnYankee]

Very cool...I guess you won't have to worry about the rear anymore.

[ChevyLee]

Wheres my sand blaster....

Lookin good Greg, copy cat

[RedHeartbeat]

I only blasted what parts would fit in my bead blast cabinet. I didn't feel like sitting out in the driveway all day while my little compressor worked itself to death trying to feed air to my blast bucket.

I gaurantee you I only replaced my 10 bolt out of necessity. Two dead diffs in a month was enough to convince me it was time.

[ChevyLee]

I gaurantee you I only replaced my 10 bolt out of necessity. Two dead diffs in a month was enough to convince me it was time.

I was just kidding about the copy cat thing. Hey I sat out side an sand blasted mine it took a few hrs but it was worth it.

[RedHeartbeat]

I would say it was worth it to myself but I'd be lieing. I'm not big into cosmetics, as if anyone couldn't tell with my MAACO paint job and all. I don't even know the last time I washed my truck, as evidenced by all the rubber behind the wheel wells in the pictures.