10-bolt to 14-bolt Rear Axle Swap

[SS Killer]

Well, as some of you may know, I toasted my old 10-bolt when one of the ring gear bolts came loose and caused massive amounts of damage to the insides. After doing some research and budgeting to see what it would cost to rebuild my current rearend, I came across a really nice 14-bolt that came out of an early 90's truck. Already has the 4.56's in it with a nice new Detroit Locker already installed. So now we start swapping!

First thing I noticed is the overall width of the assembly. From axle face to axle face is 64", 4" shorter than my stock 10-bolt. So, I'm going to have to run some sort of spacer. I haven't decided if I want to try and make exactly what I need (2" spacer) or if I want to buy a set of 1.25" spacers and just give up the ¾" on each side.

Next was the brakes. The 14 bolt had some sort of disk set-up running on it but if I kept it, I'd lose my parking brake and my fairly new slotted rotors, so I'm looking at swapping the brake system too. I haven't had to open my stock system yet, I'd love to not have to bleed the system, and it looks like it's going to work out that way. But, I now have to figure a way to position the axle ends to accept the new brackets. It's the same bolt patttern but the 14-bolt mount plate is a good 2½" inches inboard from where my brackets need to be. I'm not going to spacer those out so I'm looking at moving the stock ones to the 14-bolt.

All in all, it should be pretty straight forward. Here's a pic of the progress so far, basically just have the truck torn down:

[ss wrecker]

awesome i just found out we have a sf 6 lug 14 bolt in a wrecked 89 3/4 ton that my dads been using as a parts truck. so i just got a 14 bolt for my truck for basically nothing. glad you posted this so i can see what all i need to change on the axle to make it work on my truck

[Ramsey]

Wow ,my 14 bolt came out of a mid 90s heavy half and it was only 2 inches narrower.But what made up the diff was the way the drums sat ,they were out further so it ended up sitting perfectly the way the old rearend sat.They were like built in spacers,the hubs extended out an inch on each side .check it out you might have the same deal,and if thats the case only 3/4 on each side u might not even notice ,and have no clearance issues at all on the inside.I even have airbags on the outside of my frame and they dont hit.good luck.

[ss wrecker]

i'm gonna put the disc brakes on the 14 bolt so will i have fitment issues

[Ramsey]

Wich disc brakes?yours on your truck wont fit that rear.youd have to install a newer 14 bolt o5 + rear.unless you have a diff setup you plan on installing the 89 is probly drum brakes like my 96 rear.if thats the case then your disc brakes on youre truck will never fit ,the backing plates and all are totally different.then youlle have to move youre perches about an inch on each side.if it was out of a van then youde have to move them even more.then run new brake lines over the rearend and attach to youre old distribution block that sits on the rear.O yeh if your using a different disc setup than mentioned let me know ,because ide like to see what ya got ,for myself.

[ss wrecker]

dangit looks like i have a an obs 14 bolt for a 4X4 half ton i'll be posting for sale as soon as i pull it out of the truck. just have to keep searching for one out of an 05 truck

[cjriojas]

You can still use that 14 bolt. It is possible to get a disc conversion for that axle.

[Devilman]

Old post but SS wrecker if you still have the 6 lug 14 bolt 4x4 axle I'll take it!!

[1slo4.8]

you can use your 10 bolt brakes like i did. full throttle suspension makes nice billet spacers for that

4x4 tech yay!!!!