10 bolt 6 to 8 lug swap

[TheClassicRed]

I've found a 3/4 14bff for 50$(locked up) I'm going to rebuild it myself with a lsd and disc breaks. now I'm trying to figure out what MINIMAL parts i need to rebuild my 10b front into a 8 bolt short of buying a dumb 6 to 8 lug adapter. I found this Article about how to do it with all new parts but then i find other people telling me all i need is a hub, rotor, caliper swap. I'm looking for someone who's done the same or knows real info on what to do. I'm square body parts dry in my area this is why i ask.

 

[bucket]

I've found a 3/4 14bff for 50$(locked up) I'm going to rebuild it myself with a lsd and disc breaks. now I'm trying to figure out what MINIMAL parts i need to rebuild my 10b front into a 8 bolt short of buying a dumb 6 to 8 lug adapter. I found this Article about how to do it with all new parts but then i find other people telling me all i need is a hub, rotor, caliper swap. I'm looking for someone who's done the same or knows real info on what to do. I'm square body parts dry in my area this is why i ask.

Gear ratios aside, it really depends on what your your parts donor is. You can use parts from a D44, but depending on year, it may require more parts to be swapped.

All you really need is the rotors, hubs and caliper mount/backing plates from an 8-lug 10 bolt.

 

[TheClassicRed]

Gear ratios aside, it really depends on what your your parts donor is. You can use parts from a D44, but depending on year, it may require more parts to be swapped.

All you really need is the rotors, hubs and caliper mount/backing plates from an 8-lug 10 bolt.

im gonna put a lsd in both and run probably 4.10-4.56 ratios in both.

i plan on buying the parts new, i just didnt want to buy everything new from the spindles out. beings that the spindles alone are 150-300 a pop.

always a help bucket thanks

 

[TheClassicRed]

I've found a 3/4 14bff for 50$(locked up) I'm going to rebuild it myself with a lsd and disc breaks. now I'm trying to figure out what MINIMAL parts i need to rebuild my 10b front into a 8 bolt short of buying a dumb 6 to 8 lug adapter. I found this Article about how to do it with all new parts but then i find other people telling me all i need is a hub, rotor, caliper swap. I'm looking for someone who's done the same or knows real info on what to do. I'm square body parts dry in my area this is why i ask.

Im also looking for caliper mounting brackets for 8 lug 10 bolt or dana 44. Im only seeing them for 300-600$. im wondering if this would work. ik its for a dana 60 but it may work but idk. has the same 6 bolt for the spindle and uses the same size rotor and calipers so i think it should all bolt up fine but i wanted others opinions. also yes i can buy the bracket separately. this is just the only one with a picture.

 

[bucket]

Im also looking for caliper mounting brackets for 8 lug 10 bolt or dana 44. Im only seeing them for 300-600$. im wondering if this would work. ik its for a dana 60 but it may work but idk. has the same 6 bolt for the spindle and uses the same size rotor and calipers so i think it should all bolt up fine but i wanted others opinions. also yes i can buy the bracket separately. this is just the only one with a picture.

You don't need the spindles, just rotors hubs, and some way to mount the calipers that you already have. I'm 99.9% sure that those D60 brackets will do you no good at all.

Side note, that kit really isn't an "upgrade" for a D60. Not a brake upgrade anyway. It just saves weight and allows 15" wheels to fit without grinding the hell out of the calipers.

 

[TheClassicRed]

You don't need the spindles, just rotors hubs, and some way to mount the calipers that you already have. I'm 99.9% sure that those D60 brackets will do you no good at all.

Side note, that kit really isn't an "upgrade" for a D60. Not a brake upgrade anyway. It just saves weight and allows 15" wheels to fit without grinding the hell out of the calipers.

I just cant find any brackets that arent 300+ dollars. I found one set that are rusted to hell for 300 and im just astonished by how much these people want for them. Id sooner weld my own then do that lol.


Gonna do more research and see if those brackets will or wont work. probably wont but it doesn't hurt to know for sure

 

[Grit dog]

Are you actually going to be doing big truck things that necessitate 8 lug axles? Or just upgrading because it’s “better.”
Based on your multiple comments about how expensive it is just to find a few parts for the front axle, I’d assume you have a real need for this.
What is the need? If you just need a better rear axle look for a 6 lug semi float axle out of a gmt 400 vehicle for more rear axle capacity and way less overall work and expense.

 

[TheClassicRed]

Are you actually going to be doing big truck things that necessitate 8 lug axles? Or just upgrading because it’s “better.”
Based on your multiple comments about how expensive it is just to find a few parts for the front axle, I’d assume you have a real need for this.
What is the need? If you just need a better rear axle look for a 6 lug semi float axle out of a gmt 400 vehicle for more rear axle capacity and way less overall work and expense.

Im not gonna be mud bogging but ill be using the truck like a truck, towing, mild offroading, hunting, daily ect and plus 8 lugs looks better personally.

If I got a 6 lug sf I'd have to re weld all the perches and set them up whitch i dont know how to do. and would rather not have to if I can just bolt stuff up

I complain about price because im a cheapskate lol. I understand when things are over priced and under priced and I dont like to spend money places i dont need to or support price gouging.

 

[bucket]

I just cant find any brackets that arent 300+ dollars. I found one set that are rusted to hell for 300 and im just astonished by how much these people want for them. Id sooner weld my own then do that lol.


Gonna do more research and see if those brackets will or wont work. probably wont but it doesn't hurt to know for sure

Iirc, the D60 spindle bolt circle is significantly larger than the 10/44 stuff. Rotor/hub offset is also something to consider with that bracket. I'll bet it's different from an 8-lug 10/44.

 

[Grit dog]

Im not gonna be mud bogging but ill be using the truck like a truck, towing, mild offroading, hunting, daily ect and plus 8 lugs looks better personally.

If I got a 6 lug sf I'd have to re weld all the perches and set them up whitch i dont know how to do. and would rather not have to if I can just bolt stuff up

I complain about price because im a cheapskate lol. I understand when things are over priced and under priced and I dont like to spend money places i dont need to or support price gouging.

I fully understand not wanting to pay more than necessary, and was not my point to question that. But by the same token if you’re going to rebuild disc conversion and regear a rear axle and do all the work to the front axle, you’d be money ahead to find a rear axle that holds more weight and only requires perches and shock mounts if you actually need more rear axle capacity which it sounds like you don’t. Even if you can’t weld (even though you said above you’d rather weld something than buy it) it would be cheaper and easier.
Because all the work to the front will not be an upgrade in strength.
And Upgrading for an 8 lug appearance sounds silly as well.

 

[bucket]

I fully understand not wanting to pay more than necessary, and was not my point to question that. But by the same token if you’re going to rebuild disc conversion and regear a rear axle and do all the work to the front axle, you’d be money ahead to find a rear axle that holds more weight and only requires perches and shock mounts if you actually need more rear axle capacity which it sounds like you don’t. Even if you can’t weld (even though you said above you’d rather weld something than buy it) it would be cheaper and easier.
Because all the work to the front will not be an upgrade in strength.
And Upgrading for an 8 lug appearance sounds silly as well.

No strength upgrades for the front, but it does gain slightly stronger brakes, even when using the original caliper. Due to the larger diameter rotor.

 

[HotRodPC]

Are you actually going to be doing big truck things that necessitate 8 lug axles? Or just upgrading because it’s “better.”
Based on your multiple comments about how expensive it is just to find a few parts for the front axle, I’d assume you have a real need for this.
What is the need? If you just need a better rear axle look for a 6 lug semi float axle out of a gmt 400 vehicle for more rear axle capacity and way less overall work and expense.

I think I'll disagree here. I get your drift and know what you mean BUT, there is also work involved in converting the GMT400 axle to fit the rear. Like moving spring perches and such. And it's not only welding skill needed. Anyone can touch metal with a stick and make it hold even though it might be uglier than Killary Clinton, but to have the skill to get the perches in the correct postion and the exact "cant" location so the axle is true to the frame and alignment. It would seem to me it's just easier to swap rotors and calipers. I'm not so sure what he's talking about brackets. IIRC, the same 1/2 ton brackets for the calipers will work for the 3/4 ton brackets. If you look up the brake pad parts between both, they accept the same pads. This tells me, the calipers are the same size physically. The difference probably being that the 3/4 ton calipers may have bigger pistons in them for more clamping pressure is about the only difference. In fact, the 1/2 calipers would probably bolt on too, but if you want the better stopping power, and I would, I'd use the 3/4 ton calipers. Some even say it requires a master cylinder upgrade, but I've seen this done and the brakes worked just fine. Now if and when the day came that I need a new Master, i'd probably look in the book for the 3/4 ton Master and take my chances that the pedal push pin is the same lenght also.

Point being, I guess it's pick your poison as to which is easier. I myself prefer spinning wrenches than shaking a stick and trying to be sure the spring perches are true and exactly correct. Of course your way, no need to replace the wheels and tires easier, so taking that into account, you may be right.

 

[bucket]

I think I'll disagree here. I get your drift and know what you mean BUT, there is also work involved in converting the GMT400 axle to fit the rear. Like moving spring perches and such. And it's not only welding skill needed. Anyone can touch metal with a stick and make it hold even though it might be uglier than Killary Clinton, but to have the skill to get the perches in the correct postion and the exact "cant" location so the axle is true to the frame and alignment. It would seem to me it's just easier to swap rotors and calipers. I'm not so sure what he's talking about brackets. IIRC, the same 1/2 ton brackets for the calipers will work for the 3/4 ton brackets. If you look up the brake pad parts between both, they accept the same pads. This tells me, the calipers are the same size physically. The difference probably being that the 3/4 ton calipers may have bigger pistons in them for more clamping pressure is about the only difference. In fact, the 1/2 calipers would probably bolt on too, but if you want the better stopping power, and I would, I'd use the 3/4 ton calipers. Some even say it requires a master cylinder upgrade, but I've seen this done and the brakes worked just fine. Now if and when the day came that I need a new Master, i'd probably look in the book for the 3/4 ton Master and take my chances that the pedal push pin is the same lenght also.

Point being, I guess it's pick your poison as to which is easier. I myself prefer spinning wrenches than shaking a stick and trying to be sure the spring perches are true and exactly correct. Of course your way, no need to replace the wheels and tires easier, so taking that into account, you may be right.

Front caliper brackets are different due to rotor diameter. But yes, same pads. 3/4 tons often got a slightly larger piston, but the half tone caliper has the same footprint and mounted up.

Honestly though, moving spring perches and shock mounts is pretty darn easy for anyone familiar with a grinder and a welder. It's just some basic measurements with a tape measure and an angle finder.

 

[HotRodPC]

Front caliper brackets are different due to rotor diameter. But yes, same pads. 3/4 tons often got a slightly larger piston, but the half tone caliper has the same footprint and mounted up.

Honestly though, moving spring perches and shock mounts is pretty darn easy for anyone familiar with a grinder and a welder. It's just some basic measurements with a tape measure and an angle finder.

I'd imagine it is easy to some. My biggest deal I'd be afraid of, being a perfectionist like, I'd be afraid I didn't get the angle just perfect on the new perch location.

 

[bucket]

I'd imagine it is easy to some. My biggest deal I'd be afraid of, being a perfectionist like, I'd be afraid I didn't get the angle just perfect on the new perch location.

It's very simple when replacing a stock axle that had a proper pinion angle. You just match the perch angle (compared to the pinion yoke flange) the same as the stock angle and then burn the perches in. It's an operation that is far more forgiving, with less critical tolerances than say... rebuilding a transmission.