Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

This thread is dedicated to answering all the questions about the Eaton axles and comparing it to the more readily available Corporate 14 bolt.

Please post questions you have and I will do my best to answer them in this thread.

Please post any errors you see with this info and I will correct it.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Interchangeability... Sop far, only the brakes are interchangeable between the 14 bolt and the Eaton. I have seen a lot of requests for part numbers and how-to's for the Eaton brakes. Well, here is my how-to rebuild the brakes on the HO72 and HO52. NOTE: for the 71 and 72 HO72/52 axles this is a direct swap. 70 and earlier use smaller wheel studs and will require a hub swap, or the holes on the hub to be enlarged.

Eaton left 14 bolt right
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/DSCN6515.JPG

13 inch 14 bolt backing plate assembled and bolted to HO72. Perfect fit.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y...0/DSCN6518.JPG

This is the one issue with this swap if you are performing it on a 70 or earlier axle. from left to right early Eaton stud, 71-72 Eaton stud, 14 bolt stud.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...0/DSCN6522.JPG

I went ahead and installed the 13 inch drum on a 69 hub with the small studs for this demo. you will notice the that flanges of the larger drums are also thicker. The studs stick out just 13/16". The drum center fits perfectly over the hub. I would not recommend running the brakes this way without using a spacer between the studs and drum, or enlarging the hub to use the larger studs.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N...0/DSCN6525.JPG

Bam!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T...0/DSCN6528.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...0/DSCN6529.JPG

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

I'm all over this like stink! :metal:
Thanks for this, since I have 13" drum brakes off a 14FF.
Getting out of the not so common 12" system is going to be a relief.

I want to keep my original diameter wheel studs, so I'm gonna have to search for longer ones to work in this application.

Now, what to do with a 14FF axle with out it's brake system... :lol:

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Chris,

Here is what I was talking about for the studs being smaller...
The I.D. of the holes on the 14 bolt brakes are roughly .552" and the I.D. on the early Eaton is .490" So you are looking at roughly a .030 gap around the studs. Those measurements aren't perfect because of the knurls.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3...0/DSCN6533.JPG

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Ahh, I see what you mean.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Chris,

I am thinking now that running the drums with new stock studs will be OK. Every one of the slide on disc brakes I have done today has a much larger hole than the studs they slide over! As for the length, you are running steel wheels, right? You should have plenty of stud if you have steel wheels.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

More Side-by-sides.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--...0/DSCN6514.JPG

Check out the different welds on the 71(top) and 69(bottom) Eaton brackets!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p...0/DSCN6516.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/DSCN6517.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5...0/DSCN6519.JPG

14 bolt and Eaton threads are the same. This is the 14 bolt spindle nut on the Eaton
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d...0/DSCN6521.JPG

The 14 bolt bearings are smaller than the Eaton. They have a smaller ID and OD
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/DSCN6520.JPG

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

I want to buy an OEM locker unit for the 52 under my 71 C20. Does the locker unit determine the ratio?

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Nope! The locker goes inside the diff case halves. You will only find them used, or you can buy buy a detroit locker for a 14 bolt and use 14 bolt axle shafts. You will only need to turn about a 1/4 inch off the splines of the 14 bolt shafts. I have one done this way.
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Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Jeremy, first thanks for posting and accepting questions on this subject.

I have recently converted the front drum to disc on my 1970 C20. I would like to stop better and have the same size studs on the rear as well as install a locker. I take it from reading that I have an EATON FF rear. What would I need to change to go to 13" brakes and bigger stud hubs and have my brakes work? Would it be better to get a disk kit from someone like BlackBird and go to disc? Or should I look for a newer rear end with brakes, locker and all in it?

Thanks in advance,

Vince

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Vince, I'm glad you asked these questions!

There are a few things that you need to know about your truck first. Does it have the Eaton axle or the Dana axle? And, does it have leaf spring rear suspension or coil spring with trailing arm rear suspension?

the Eaton and dana axles are easy to differentiate. the Eaton will have a round diff cover, along with a removeable 3rd member. There will also be 5 bolts around the yoke. the Dana axle will have a side-ways egg shaped cover with a square hump around the fill plug.

The reason I bring this up about what type of suspension you have, is you are looking at doing a locker and brakes. If you have the leaf style suspension, then you may want to look into a 14 bolt from a 1973 and up Chevy truck. 14 bolt parts are cheaper, and easier to come by. you will also have the option of 2 more gear ratios. 3.73, ad 3.42. you can swap a 14 bolt into the trailing arm set-up, but it will require welding new spring pads and fabricating, or relocating the panhard bar.

Now, if you do have the Eaton, and want to stay with it, The brake swap is straight forward. you will need the backing plate, fully assembled, and the brake drum from a 1973 and up 14 Bolt truck. They are interchangeable as I demonstrated. If you want to use the 9/16" studs, you can simply have the hubs bored out to accept them. the inner wheel seal is the same for the Eaton as it is for the 14 bolt.

On that, the bearings for the 14 bolt and the Eaton are DIFFERENT. The 14 bolt hubs will not swap dirrectly onto the Eaton without machine work for the inner bearing journal to accept the Eaton bearings. But it can be done.

Lockers. You have the option of one locker. The Detroit No-Spin. There is an original factory Detroit that usually sells for 400 and up. Then you have the "other" No-Spin option. The Detroit locker for the 14 Bolt is a direct fit for the differential of the Eaton. These lockers are readily available, and can be had used for around 200 and up. There is one catch to this though Swapping a 14 bolt locker into an Eaton requires the use of the 14 bolt axle shafts, and machining about 0.250" off of the splined ends. Otherwise it is a direct bolt in. I have pictures somewhere of my 14 bolt locker installed in my Eaton. I will have to load them to the computer.

I hope this little bit helps. If you want, post up a picture of your axle if you are unsure what you have.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Found them.

That is a 14 bolt carrier on the left, Eaton on the right. I swapped the guts.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0...0/DSCN6398.JPG

Bolted together
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D...0/DSCN6399.JPG

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Mine is basically a round slightly ovate cover on the rear. I haven't looked at the front of the diff, yet.
I'll try to get under the truck with a camera tonight.

Thanks for taking the time and effor to post this stuff. It is really appreciated.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Here is a pic of the cover on my rear end.

Next, a pic of the front of the differential.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

That would be the Eaton on leafs! the only welding that would be required if you wanted to swap in a 14 bolt would be relocating the shock hangers on the axle.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

That would be an HO52 then and very likely the stock axle. Now you need to decide if you want to upgrade the brakes or just put in a locker. Couple of things I would do the help the decision process would to be pull the pumpkin and take a look around and see if it has worn or damaged parts. Rebuild parts exist but are more difficult to find. Another would be to measure the front track now that you have disc brakes and match it to the rear. From the pictures it looks like you gain about an inch on either side swapping brake parts.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Thank you Longhorn 70 for posting that picture of an Eaton rear axle. I don't have any that are still bolted under a truck!

Just for reference, I am posting a picture of a Dana 60 from under a 67-72 GM truck. Notice the square part of the cover. This would be how you would differentiate the Dana 60 from the Dana 44. Other manufacturers used 5 Lug Dana 60 semi floating axles under half-ton trucks and SUV's. And I am only referring to back-in-the-day vehicles, not modern ones.

Dana 60
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8.../IMG950415.jpg

Here are some pictures of a 14 bolt Full float 10.5"

14 Bolt
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l...0/DSCN2363.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...0/DSCN2169.JPG

Anyone have a picture of a stock diff covered 14 bolt? I don't have a straight on one.

SS Tim, you bring up a good point about track width, I didn't even think about that with his new front end! I want to say the TW on the Eatons I have measured have been 67". I will have to double check my notes tonight.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

After I get the front end aligned, I'll measure the track width. Do I really want it the same? I remember Pontiac made it a big deal when they had a wider track on one end.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

You won't get a factory rear end wider than the front end, I think what SS Tim is talking about is the track width on the rear might be 2+ inches narrower than the front.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Thanks. I'll measure once I get it to the alignment shop and get all the same wheels on. They are sitting until I get it aligned.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Does anyone know if the hubs from the 2002 & up disc brake with the drum in rotor ebrake uses a different hub than the drum brake equipped 14 bolts? Was looking at buying some like http://www.fourwheeler.com/departmen..._new_products/ from right gear and axle, or having custom adapters made for the backing plates. Hoping to do the 2002 & up disc swap on my Eaton :confused:

Edit: Hoping I would be able to use it with the Eaton hubs of course. Just wanted to make sure the drum hubs would work before I go buy some rotors :devil:

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

I believe you are asking this because you want to use the slide on rotors correct? I am fairly certain the 11.5 AAM hubs are way too different. I don't know about the 02+ 10.5 hubs.

This is actually something I have been thinking about doing with my eaton because I don't want to use the Caddy calipers.

One thing for sure is that A backing plate bracket will have to be fabricated and welded to the axle housing.

As for the hubs, there are 2 possible easy routes.
1. Early Eaton axles used slide-on drums, which may work for the 02+ rotors
2. Mid 90+ 14Bolt FF axles used in some Suburbans (for sure, maybe lighter 3/4T trucks and 1 ton vans) used a slide-on drum. For the 14 bolt hubs, read below.

Here is what you need to make the 14 bolt hub work on the Eaton spindle, you will need to use a combination of an inner bearing cone for an Eaton and a Bearing race for a 14 Bolt hub. Then for the outer bearing, you will need to have the 14 Bolt hub machined to accept the Eaton outer Bearing race.

I am not the first person to try this. There are many others who have put the 14 bolt hubs on an Eaton.

edit: I just looked closer at the link you posted... If you enlarge the picture of the 14 Bolt you will see a spacer/adapter that they used to adapt the newer bracketry to the original axle. I am curious to know what they did for the hub/rotor? I checked out their web page and it doesn't say anything about the kit.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Thanks! I sent them an email asking for more details on the kit. Somebody listed the parts needed needed in this thread http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/gener...all-parts.html

I did not see the hubs listed in the parts list. So who knows? I will update as soon as I hear back from right gear and axle or from the guys on pirate
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Edit: got a failed delivery status to right gears email. I will try to contact them by phone sometime this week when I get a chance.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Ive got a 71 K20 with a Eaton underneath it...4:10 ratio. It is 51 1/4" wide backing plate to backing plate. Is that normal width??? Seems awful narrow.

Also, just curious as to the value/durability of this axle vs. a Dana 60?

Thanks in advance...Alan

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

That's not the correct way to measure the width of a differential. The correct way is to measure WMS (wheel mounting surface) to WMS. That is the industry standard, and only way to make an accurate comparison between differentials.

Personally I prefer either the 10.5 14 bolt or the Dana 60. However there isn't anything wrong with an Eaton HO52/72 if it is in good condition and has a gear ratio that works for your needs.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

I'd like to start another thread dedicated to Eaton tech exclusively, mainly due to the fact that even though the Eaton the 14bff share some similar parts, they are two totally different animals, and there isn't a hell of alot to compare. Not to mention the Eaton is way cooler than the 14bff. :metal:

To break it down, the only parts interchange between an Eaton and a 14bff would be.....

-Lunchbox lockers for the 14bff will fit in the Eaton.

-The Eaton and 14bff carrier, while different from each other, will accept spider and side gears (and lunchbox style lockers) from either model.

-Disc brake brackets for an SRW 14bff will fit an SRW Eaton IF the Eaton has stud retained drums. Yes folks, some of the HO52's/72's had slide on drums (SRW models only), in my experience it has typically been the older ones. If your Eaton HO52/72 has slide on brake drums, the disc brake conversion brackets from a 14bff WILL NOT WORK! They will bolt up, but the Eatons with slide on drums have a different hub and slightly shorter spindle than the Eatons with stud retained drums. A hub with stud retained drums will fit on a housing that originally had slide on drums, but this WILL NOT solve the problem, as the spindle on the slide on drum Eatons is physically shorter and puts the entire hub/disc assembly too close to the caliper bracket. Believe me on this one, I found out the hard way.

In simple terms, if you want disc brakes on your Eaton HO52/72, you can NOT use an Eaton housing/hubs that originally had slide on drums, you MUST use a housing/hubs with stud retained drums.

For the rest of the disc brake conversion, the game of finding the right studs to use is tricky, as Eatons use smaller 1/2'' studs compared to the 14bff's 9/16'' studs. I drilled out my hubs to use larger 9/16''-18 wheel studs, then used the recommended Dorman stud that is used for a 14bff disc brake conversion. The discs/calipers used are the same, standard chevy 3/4 ton D44/10bolt front rotors and calipers.

And for clarification, stud retained drums means the brake drum is held to the back side of the hub with the wheel studs being pressed through the drum/hub, meaning the only way to service the drum brakes is by removing the axle shaft and hub/drum assembly. Slide on drums means the drum slides onto the front of the hub over the wheel studs before the wheel, and does not require removing the axle shaft or hub to service the drum brakes.

-Axle shafts can be interchanged between the Eaton and 14bff, HOWEVER, the Eaton HO52's/72's have 17 spline shafts/side gears, the 14bff has 30 spline shafts/side gears, but side gears can be swapped between the two. Eatons with slide on drums have shafts that are approximately 1/4'' to 1/2'' shorter per side (per shaft) than Eatons with stud retained drums, but the spline count remains the same.


To my knowledge, this is where the similarities end. Parts interchange is minimal as noted above. I am not sure on all of the bearings, but I know for fact (as per GM Archives) that the Eaton wheel/hub bearings are different than 14bff wheel/hub bearings. The main pinion bearings are obviously very different between the Eaton and 14bff, and there are two different types of pinion bearing used in the Eaton, a ball bearing, and a taper roller bearing, there is no order to when what bearing was used, in my experience they are all mix matched together through their 1947-72 production run. As for the 3rd pinion bearing, that's your typical needle/roller bearing, unsure if they use the same one for the 14bff and Eaton. I am also unsure about any carrier bearing interchange, but I know the Eaton originally used Hyatt barrel type bearings for the carrier. Aftermarket replacements are typically Timken taper roller bearings.


And to clear up any confusion about available ratios, there are 3 common ratios for the Eaton and 1 mythical ratio.

The common factory ratios were:
4.10 (41 tooth ring,10 tooth pinion) (According to the GM Archives, later ones were 4.11, with a 37 tooth ring gear and 9 tooth pinion.)
4.57 (32 tooth ring, 7 tooth pinion)
5.14 (36 tooth ring, 7 tooth pinion)

Then the mythical ratio that no one has yet to find, is a 5.83, which would be a 35 tooth ring gear and a 6 tooth pinion. According to the GM Archives, it was only available in 1963 and only an available option for P30 series vans. It may or may not have actually existed, but the GM Archives says it did. Considering the low performance of engines at the time, and lack of an overdrive transmission, I'm sure this was a very undesirable option, and if any were ever made, I'm sure not many ever ordered in a 1963 P30 van, the only vehicle that it could be had with. This is somewhat of the holy grail of Eaton gear sets though, and I would bet it could fetch a fairly large sum of dough to the right person.


For tons of good info on the Eaton, you have to look past some of the typical BS associated with Pirate4x4, but if you can get around that, there is a wealth of knowledge about Eatons in this thread, page 20+ and beyond/current is where there is A LOT of tech. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/chevy...aton-h072.html

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

:agree:

That's the Eaton guy there.

As for bearings, None are interchangeable. I tried. Only bearing I have not checked on yet is the pinion support bearing.

Stay tuned. If I can find someone to machine my 14 Bolt hubs for cheap (free) I will show you what I have to do to run the 14 Bolt parts on my Eaton.

Edit: don't forget about the mythical 3.92 ratio discontinued aftermarket offering.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Well if the tech isn't enough proof for some, does owning 6 Eaton HO52's/72's (2 C&C's, 1 Front Eaton60, and 3 SRW's) prove I'm an Eaton guy for sure? :lol:

I've heard various rumors about the aftermarket gearsets available for these. I know for fact that it was Randy's Ring & Pinion that had a limited production run of like 10 of those gear sets made, and I've seen mention of several different numbers. Most times that those aftermarket sets were brought up in the thread on Pirate, they were referred to as being a 3.73 gear set. I've heard 3.90 and 3.92 thrown around on here. I have yet to see a picture of these aftermarket gears, likely because of the fact that they were made in such a limited number.

I'm curious to know what the R&P tooth count was for those gears too. According to Tim Cooper, the guy on Pirate4x4 that machined a 14bff ARB air locker to fit in an Eaton, (he seems to be an Eaton guru, but only posted a few pictures to make us all drool over the possibility of an ARB for the Eaton and some tid bits of tech), the 4.57 gear set is the strongest because of the 7/32 tooth count, the ring gear is thicker than any of the other gear sets and it has larger/coarser teeth than the other ratios. There has been 1 person on Pirate in the several year/30+ page history of the Eaton thread over there that has managed to grenade two 5.13 ring/pinion sets in a pulling truck, and the shredded gears were quite spectacular (and somewhat saddening) to see. Compared to the amount of shredded 14b gears that are seen over there, I'd say that's pretty impressive, but I doubt anyone with those low ratio aftermarket gears from Randy's would be abusing them quite like us offroad guys do.


And I'm interested in seeing some 14b hubs put on an Eaton, I'd love to make the rear HO72 in my GMC into a 67'' wms width axle without the use of spacers or extending the housing. 14b hubs should make it that wide I would think. If I were more skilled with a lathe (I have free access to one at work), I'd try to machine a set myself, but I'd be afraid of ruining the hubs. :lol:

EDIT: After looking at your pictures on page 1, I think there would be some issues with disc brakes and 14b hubs on an Eaton, because the drum/rotor mounting surface on the back of a 14b hub is moved further out on the hub than it is on the Eaton hub. Why would this be a problem? Simple, the same reason why all of the same disc brake conversion stuff works on an Eaton. The "backing plate flange to machined drum/rotor mount surface on the hub" distance is the same for the 14b and the Eaton. Since that surface is further inboard on the Eaton, so is the backing plate flange. If you move that drum/rotor mount surface further outboard, which is what you would be doing by putting a 14b hub on an Eaton, then your drum/rotor will be too far away from the backing plate flange, probably by about 1'', since that's the width difference per side between an Eaton and 14bff. This probably could be solved with weld on caliper brackets or a simple spacer, but just something to keep in mind there. Bearing spacing is the other thing I'd be concerned about when trying to fit 14b hubs on an Eaton housing. I can check for you tonight if the bearing spacing is the same for the 14b and Eaton hub, since I have a 14b housing with no hubs and a couple Eaton spindles I cut off for my Eaton 60, I can compare the two and get some measurements.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

What exactly is needed for the HO72 disk brake swap. Do you just need the caliper brackets for a 14 bolt, disks, and caliper. Or do you need 14 bolt hubs too and possibly more parts?
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Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

You do not need the 14 bolt hubs.

Use the recommended calipers and discs for whatever conversion kit you order, as well as the wheel studs.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Thanks for all the good info. I have discovered that my 69 C20 has and Eaton rear. I will post a few pics this weekend. In using an online gear ratio calculator I had determined that I had 4.88, but apparently my Autogage tach may be a bit off or 40+ speedo - as they must be 4.56/57 gears.

I have an AX15 trans that I wanted to install, but thinking I still may need to try and find a 4.10 center section to get my rpm's to a comfortable highway cruising speed.

Dumb question, what's the easiest way for me to tell if I have the "no-spin" locker? And what should the width be on this axkle from mounting flange to mounting flange?

I like different, which is why I want to keep the Eaton, and rebuild the 307 - and keep this truck an 8-lug working truck. I would like to change out the coil springs - as this truck (when unloaded) has an extremely harsh jolt when you hit a bump. Anybody know what the factory spring rate would be for a coil sprung Eaton C20 LWB (base truck), so I can compare and get a slightly more forgiving spring? I also have aftermarket airbags installed on the axle so if I decided to load the bed down, I have extra help without the harshness day-to-day of these stiff coils.

But if I did find a 12 bolt that would direct swap in with no real mods and a better gear, I might consider.... So far only found a Dana 60 out of a ford and the guy says it is 74" wide, way to wide I think based on what I see so far. Of course, there's always the thought of doing a dually axle :)

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

I am curious they sell 14bolt ff spindles can they be put on the Eaton ho52 and use the 14bolt ff hubs and put a disc brakes on them

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Jack up both wheels with the transmission in park, and the front wheels blocked. Rotate one wheel. If the oposite wheel spins the oposite direction it is an open differential.

1/2 ton coils are a direct bolt in and readily available. I hope this helps!


the 14 bolt disc brake conversion kits are a direct bolt on to the HO52/HO72. you do not need to use the 14 bolt hubs.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

As in the kit from Blackbird, or something different?

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

forget about the disc brake kit.. in general put a set of 14bot ff spindles on the eaton and run the 14bolt hubs.. its cheaper to get bearings for the 14bolt hubs then the eaton hubs. then add the disc brake kit theres at least 4 place that make the brackets for the disc brakes

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

I get what you are saying now. Cut off the Eaton Spindles and run 14 Bolt stuff. By all means, if you have the capability, DO IT!!! One of the guys on a particular 4x4 forum machined the spindle to accept the inner bearing cone, but I don't know about the thickness of that part of the spindle.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

[IMG]http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...psaff74630.jpg[/IMG]

http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...pse9df2d73.jpg

So I have the taper bearing, correct?

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Eaton wheel bearings don't cost that much more to make it worth it to swap spindles. And in order to do it properly, one needs the proper tools, as in a setup bar and pucks to put in place of the carrier bearings, a large 220v welder (MIG or TIG), a lathe, grinder, etc. So on that note, run the EXACT SAME KITS used for the 14b disc brake conversions, using the same parts for those conversions, on the Eaton hub, it all fits just the same unless it's an early Eaton. No reason to reinvent the wheel here, there is a reason why us Eaton guys don't bother to swapping spindles.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Yes that has the taper roller pinion bearing. Note the oil return port at the 5 o'clock position on the pinion bearing/seal retainer flange, and the extra casting hump above the pinion for the oiling port, next to that central stiffening rib on the 3rd.

Re: Eaton HO72/HO52 vs. 14 Bolt FF
 

Took a wheel off today and I am pretty sure I do not have slide on drums. Also appears to be an open diff, confirmed that and my gearing by about 2.25 turns of the driveshaft per wheel revolution.
So, can somebody give me a little more direction on who/where to get the disc kits from?

In the meantime, is there a way to adjust the ebrake without pulling the drum?