14 bolt semi float?

[bmchevy1979]

I have a friend that wants to convert a 14bolt sf from 8lug to 6lug to put in his truck my question is can an 80's housing be converted or do we need to get one from a 90s truck. If are housing will work what parts have to be changed axles and drums or do we need more parts

[bmchevy1979]

???

[andrewmp6]

I have no idea besides having a shop redrill the axles and drums.

[special-K]

I don't know what truck he wants to put the axle in, but GM produced just what he wants in the 88-98 heavy 1500s and light 2500s. I'd just buy one of those off of Craigslist or the junkyard. I guess parts interchange, but so simple to swap whole deal and know you're good

[bmchevy1979]

He already has the 8lug version with gears and locker installed and it's a bolt in on his k10 the newer ones he would have to cut and weld new spring perches and shock mounts and probably wouldn't have the right gearing he so he would have to have it all set up again

[special-K]

I'd guess one of those rears would have all the conversion parts he needs

[b454rat]

Those axles are different than the 88-up. Nothing but the gears/carrier, and maybe some brake stuff. Why not get a 6 lug axle from an 88-up 4wd, swap the gears/carrier over? That would be the best and easiest way. Cheapest too.

[special-K]

What gears and locker are in his 8-lug? If it's not factory stuff it can be swapped into a 6-lug. If it's factory stuff just find another rear that's the same.

[bmchevy1979]

4.56 gears with a Detroit tru-trac. We are on the search for a 6 lug one they don't pop up in are wrecking yards to often but if we can avoid having to pay a shop to setup the gears again we will. I don't have the special tools needed to set them up or it wouldn't be an issue

[bmchevy1979]

It would be much less trouble if I could convince him to go 8 lug as I have the parts needed to convert the front but he's set on 6 lug even though he runs 16.5 rims

[b454rat]

whole heck of a lot cheaper to buy old rims than to regear. if you were out here, I could get it regeared for bout $200,maybe less.

[bmchevy1979]

Yeah he has weld typhoons but in 16.5 they are easy to find in 8 lug he just won't budge off of 6 lug for some reason he really needs 1 tons for his 38s but then he will have to go 8 lug so he's going to find out the hard way I guess I am running heavier axles than he wants with 33s because I blew my 12bolt and knew that my motor was only going to get bigger and my heavy foot and grabby clutch aren't easy on things I grenaded the rear driveshaft that was already a upgrade over stock so when I blew the axle I knew better than to rebuild it he's got a bigger motor better gearing and stockish components so...
Idk we will figure it out as we go. But I'm going to be rolling laughing when he pops the front shafts the first time he lays into it.

[special-K]

You can find military full-floating 4.56 locker rears fairly easily. Most of the time you see a set of those axles for sale the buyer is only interested in the Dana 60. At least that has been my experience. I'm sure someone will want to buy that semi-floater with a Tru-Trac.