The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > All 4x4 Tech & Off Roading

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-21-2015, 07:59 PM   #1
SnowNeck
Registered User
 
SnowNeck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 132
14 bolts

So, I'm currently looking into doing a 3/4 axle swap into my 1/2 ton and what exactly is the difference between a full float rear and a semi float rear?
__________________
1985 High Sierra step side 4x4
SnowNeck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 09:02 PM   #2
RedRoad
Registered User
 
RedRoad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 927
Re: 14 bolts

with a semi floater if the axle breaks you loose a tire as the axle is held in with a c clip at the diff side. On a full floater you can remove the entire axle just by unbolting it from the hub and sliding it out, the hub/bearings/brakes/tire still are secured and will roll if need be.

The SF 14 bolt comes in both 6 and 8 lug versions while FF only comes in 8 lug. If keeping the 6 lug I would swap in the SF as it is much stronger than the factory 12 bolt
RedRoad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 09:07 PM   #3
SnowNeck
Registered User
 
SnowNeck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 132
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedRoad View Post
with a semi floater if the axle breaks you loose a tire as the axle is held in with a c clip at the diff side. On a full floater you can remove the entire axle just by unbolting it from the hub and sliding it out, the hub/bearings/brakes/tire still are secured and will roll if need be.

The SF 14 bolt comes in both 6 and 8 lug versions while FF only comes in 8 lug. If keeping the 6 lug I would swap in the SF as it is much stronger than the factory 12 bolt
So, would it be possible to swap a 6 lug shaft into a FF?
Posted via Mobile Device
SnowNeck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 09:32 PM   #4
Mike C
Registered User
 
Mike C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,709
Re: 14 bolts

No.

The full float rear works just like the front. It has two wheel bearings, an inner and an outer and the preload is adjusted with a big socket.

The 6 lug axles are semi-floaters having just one axle bearing and held with a C-clip.

There are no OEM 6 lug hubs to do the full floater, but it is possible to make it work with machine work and due diligence, but it's not an easy "bolt it in" prospect.
__________________
44 Willys MB
52 M38A1
64 Corvette Coupe
68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700
69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110
69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop
72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's
02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax
Mike C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 10:14 PM   #5
SnowNeck
Registered User
 
SnowNeck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 132
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike C View Post
No.

The full float rear works just like the front. It has two wheel bearings, an inner and an outer and the preload is adjusted with a big socket.

The 6 lug axles are semi-floaters having just one axle bearing and held with a C-clip.

There are no OEM 6 lug hubs to do the full floater, but it is possible to make it work with machine work and due diligence, but it's not an easy "bolt it in" prospect.
Ah, okay thank you. Yeah I've always kinda of had mixed answers about the two. I appreciate all the help guys
Posted via Mobile Device
SnowNeck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2015, 12:29 AM   #6
slotard
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 877
Re: 14 bolts

There aren't many downsides to the full float, but there are absolutely some... namely size and weight. The pumpkin on the 14FF is BIG, it hangs way down. You can shave it to make it less bad, but you'll still lose clearance vs whatever you have now. The other is weight, which isn't as important in most cases but makes pulling them yourself difficult at best.

The 14FF is pretty bulletproof, my old neighbor ran a 14FF with a locker (I forget what), shaved but nothing to make it stronger, on his J10 rock crawler on I think 42s. Don't think he ever broke anything on it. The 14FF G80 locker is reasonably strong and should hold up unless you really beat on it with big tires, it's way better than the lighter duty ones.
__________________
1973 C20, 350/350
slotard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2015, 01:00 AM   #7
andrewmp6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 5,811
Re: 14 bolts

Why 3/4 axles when your front axle is the same as a 1/2 ton but for the lug pattern?If your gonna spend the time an money go 1 ton axles.A dana 60 for the front can be pricey but some people can find them cheap enough,Or the dodge dana 60 from a leaf spring truck will fit.All you need is these http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Dod...apBushings.htm to run that dodge axle.
andrewmp6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2015, 01:08 AM   #8
DirtyLarry
Windy Corner of a Dirty Street
 
DirtyLarry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Pueblo West, Colorado
Posts: 2,926
Re: 14 bolts

Here is an 80 year old Chevrolet sales training video explaining the concept of full-floating axles. The concept is still the same today regardless of axle manufacturers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aVj7JSpSpU
DirtyLarry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2015, 09:20 AM   #9
74CustomK20
Registered User
 
74CustomK20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Tell City, IN
Posts: 637
Re: 14 bolts

If I remember right, you can get aftermarket 6 lug axles for the 14 bolt ff... but it's been a while since I looked...
__________________
Big Nate
Carp. Local 224. Buy made in the USA!
03 F350 6.0 Daily Race Truck.
79 C70 366 Project Dump.
74CustomK20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2015, 09:44 AM   #10
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,749
Re: 14 bolts

The difference is with semi-floating axles the weight of the vehicle bears on the axle shaft. It's bearing in housing with axle on bearing. With full floating axles the weight bears on the housing with the shaft "floating". It's bearing in hub with hub on husing. The shaft just spins and takes torque. Much less stress on the shaft. This is why heavier trucks ALL use this design. Semi-floaters are thensame design as cars.
I put 3/4t axles in my '85 Jimmy. sure, it's the same axle I took out, except it has bigger brakes for the bigger/heavier tires.It was easier and cheaper than changing the 1/2t 10-bolt to 4.10 as well. Also, 8-lugs are stronger than 6 and the studs are bigger. I've broken studs on 6-lug trucks and never on an 8-lug. It makes total sense. It's an easy swap and prices between 1t and 3/4t don't even compare. Not to mention a Dana44 or 10-bolt can take a lot more than people give them credit for. It's cool to say you have a Dana60, but many out there will never do what a 1/2t-3/4t could do. I've torn up Dana60s and when it comes to buying parts, you'll spend a heap more money.
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2015, 02:14 PM   #11
kwmech
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,355
Re: 14 bolts

I have some 6 lug hubs available for the 14 bolt full float if you want to go that far. Actually I have some 5 lug also. At that point though you'll have to convert to disc brake
kwmech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2015, 03:45 AM   #12
El Dorado Jim
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: El Dorado Ca
Posts: 3,374
Re: 14 bolts

Quote:
Originally Posted by special-K View Post
The difference is with semi-floating axles the weight of the vehicle bears on the axle shaft. It's bearing in housing with axle on bearing. With full floating axles the weight bears on the housing with the shaft "floating". It's bearing in hub with hub on husing. The shaft just spins and takes torque. Much less stress on the shaft. This is why heavier trucks ALL use this design. Semi-floaters are thensame design as cars.
I put 3/4t axles in my '85 Jimmy. sure, it's the same axle I took out, except it has bigger brakes for the bigger/heavier tires.It was easier and cheaper than changing the 1/2t 10-bolt to 4.10 as well. Also, 8-lugs are stronger than 6 and the studs are bigger. I've broken studs on 6-lug trucks and never on an 8-lug. It makes total sense. It's an easy swap and prices between 1t and 3/4t don't even compare. Not to mention a Dana44 or 10-bolt can take a lot more than people give them credit for. It's cool to say you have a Dana 60, but many out there will never do what a 1/2t-3/4t could do. I've torn up Dana60s and when it comes to buying parts, you'll spend a heap more money.
I 2nd that, I only have 3/4 ton 4x4 trucks, they are soooo strong compared to 1/2 ton axles, you don't need a dana 60, just upgrading to full floater in the rear and dana 44 or 10 bolt , with 8 lugs, will be a huge improvement for you and they will bolt right in and not cost you a fortune
El Dorado Jim is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
14 bolt, 3/4 ton, axle, swap

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com