89+ dually axle for my 82?

[roussy]

i have been searching for a while now and havent been able to find any info on this. i have an 82 k30 dually was a cab and chassis. now it has a 6.5 turbo diesel and the frame has been shortened so the box doesnt have a huge gap. currently running the cab and chassis 14 bolt rear with wheel spacers to clear the box but i want the proper width axle and havent had any luck finding the d70. would an axle from the newer 90s style dually work? is it the correct width? they seem to be easy to find a whole truck for cheap.

 

[scottybaccus]

I believe the dually is narrower. I have a mid '90s 2wd light duty 3/4 ton 14 bolt that is an exact match, and I'm pretty sure the dually was narrower.

 

[bucket]

i have been searching for a while now and havent been able to find any info on this. i have an 82 k30 dually was a cab and chassis. now it has a 6.5 turbo diesel and the frame has been shortened so the box doesnt have a huge gap. currently running the cab and chassis 14 bolt rear with wheel spacers to clear the box but i want the proper width axle and havent had any luck finding the d70. would an axle from the newer 90s style dually work? is it the correct width? they seem to be easy to find a whole truck for cheap.

Not sure about the overall width, it's probably close. However, the spring perches and shock mounts are in a different location. You would have to cut them off and weld them back on in the right spot.

 

[roussy]

Not sure about the overall width, it's probably close. However, the spring perches and shock mounts are in a different location. You would have to cut them off and weld them back on in the right spot.

ok ill have to measure one up. what about the 88-91 v3500 did that use a wide version of the 14 bolt or the dana 70?

 

[nvrenuf]

Nvm, misread original post. Disregard

 

[highdesertrange]

why would you exchange a 14 bolt for a dana 70? I would rather change the beds then down grade to a 70. btw I have a 86 dana 70 dually axle I would trade you straight across for the 14 bolt, but the distance is to far. highdesertranger

 

[roussy]

why would you exchange a 14 bolt for a dana 70? I would rather change the beds then down grade to a 70. btw I have a 86 dana 70 dually axle I would trade you straight across for the 14 bolt, but the distance is to far. highdesertranger

i like the box better than a flat deck. i wish we were closer so i could trade and just bolt it in instead of fabbing something. also thats why i was asking about the 90s dually axle because i think they have a wide 14bolt. and i would hopefully be able to keep my gears and locker.

 

[bucket]

ok ill have to measure one up. what about the 88-91 v3500 did that use a wide version of the 14 bolt or the dana 70?

It was the D70.

 

[highdesertrange]

you do realize you are going to have to put the dually fenders on too. highdesertranger

 

[roussy]

you do realize you are going to have to put the dually fenders on too. highdesertranger

yeah i have a box from a dually with the flares. i ended up finding a d70 though so its good to go now.

 

[nvrenuf]

why would you exchange a 14 bolt for a dana 70? I would rather change the beds then down grade to a 70. btw I have a 86 dana 70 dually axle I would trade you straight across for the 14 bolt, but the distance is to far. highdesertranger

Why do you consider the 70HD a downgrade?

Bigger housing, bigger carrier bearings, one bigger pinion bearing and more ratio choices. Granted, it's more expensive to build but a downgrade? Hardly.

 

[highdesertrange]

well even if you disregard the interchangeability and availability I will still go with the 14 bolt. ease of rebuilding is one reason(not that you ever have to), the three bearing pinion support is another reason like a true heavy duty axle. a d70 is the same basic design as a 10 bolt or a 12 bolt just bigger and full floating. btw that offer goes to anybody out there, I have a d70 that I will trade straight across for a 14 bolt dually. highdesertranger

 

[nvrenuf]

Everybody always uses the 3 pinion bearing arguement for superiority. Bearing spacing and size has a lot to do with why the 14 bolt uses 3 bearings, it's bearings are smaller and closer together than a 70HD so it needs the 3 bearing to help stabilize the pinion.

I'll agree that price and availability give the nod to a 14 bolt for popularity (only) but there is no downgrade to a 70HD from a 14 bolt.

As for similarities to the 10 & 12 bolt, since the D44 was produced first and most Dana axles use the same set up design, it's more a case of GM being similar to Dana than vice versa. Nothing wrong with the design, lots of other copycats as well.