14 bolt posi swap

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Cooterbfd

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2020
Posts
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Bristol RI
First Name
John
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C-20 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Got a simple question. I have a 10.5" 14 bolt open axle in my '79 C-20. Would I be able to put the pinion and carrier from a newer ('01-06 ish) unit, or are they totally different beasts.

Thanks, John
 

TubeTruck

I'm from Boston. Deal with it.
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Posts
1,417
Reaction score
2,135
Location
East TN
First Name
Denis
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
Suburban K10
Engine Size
LQ9
I believe they are the same. I know the pinion bearings are bigger on the newer ones but not sure if that includes the I.D. if the bearing or just the O.D.
 

Cooterbfd

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2020
Posts
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Bristol RI
First Name
John
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C-20 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Thanks.....but if I can buy a 3.73 ring and pinion for my rear and bolt it to the newer carrier, that wouldn't be an issue, right?
 

Curt

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
676
Reaction score
1,140
Location
Loco Hills
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K-30
Engine Size
383
I had trouble with this same situation.I could never get the external pinion shims right.

The pinion depth was way off,pattern to.I had gotten a used ring and pinion from a newer 14 bolt (big bearing) along with the pinion bearing housing.Trying to save some coin.Ended up doing a full rebuild,older bearing housing and a new ring and pinion...Went together like magic,perfect.

Maybe you’ll have better luck
 

Cooterbfd

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2020
Posts
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Bristol RI
First Name
John
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C-20 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Do you think a new ring and pinion for an old 14 bolt would bolt up to the newer version carrier???
 

Curt

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
676
Reaction score
1,140
Location
Loco Hills
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K-30
Engine Size
383
Try it,if it doesn’t work,see if you can find a pinion bearing housing from an older model 14 bolt.I honestly think it’ll save you some grief.You’ll only be out the big bearing.The other pinion bearing is the same.I believe the pinion seal was different as well.However,I was able to use the newer yoke.They put a removable sleeve on it to account for the big bearing.I saw some older model bearing housings on eBay not that long ago
 

Curt

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Posts
676
Reaction score
1,140
Location
Loco Hills
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K-30
Engine Size
383
And yes the ring gear will bolt up to a newer carrier
 

Cooterbfd

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2020
Posts
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Bristol RI
First Name
John
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C-20 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Thanks. For a $100 I'm going to take a kick at the cat.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,857
Posts
903,631
Members
33,371
Latest member
Linemanjl
Top