different looking perches on 14ff

[usar17]

Anyone have a clue what is up with the spring perches on this 14 bolt?

http://york.craigslist.org/pts/3161638326.html

 

[Stroked]

That is weird. Disk brakes too!

 

[crazy4offroad]

Long travel perches for a 4-link setup. Those sleeves rotate on the axle tubes so the 4-link can keep pinion angle the same through the suspension travel. It probably runs coils.

EDIT I may be wrong about that, it's the first thing that came to mind but a second look looks like they may be bolted down tight, otherwise they would have swiveled down in the pic. Then again the driver side looks further back than the passenger. You should call him and ask him, I would be interested to know. If it is the rotating perches it is currently a hot setup for racing. You could easily eliminate it and weld on normal perches.

 

[usar17]

Here is what information he gave me so far:

-Bought the axle from Boyce Equipment 10 years ago for $1400 (military rebuilds)
-Was installed on an 87 Suburban
-they were modified so his truck would hookup better.
-Said it should only need new brake calibers, great working axle.

He said his brother could weld on normal perches if need be. I'm curious if the disc brake is the conversion with parking brake. Also wondering why there is a ring around the yoke.

 

[crazy4offroad]

The ring around the yoke is a u-joint protector, some tracks require it. If you get this axle I wouldn't throw it away. I really doubt it is the calipers with the park brake. If they are they are probably El Dorado calipers, which is why they need replaced, they're junk. A better mod would be a line loc. If 4.10 gears is what you want I think this would be a good deal, it has a locker already installed. I would want to remove the cover and check backlash though if I were you, up to 0.025" is acceptable.

 

[usar17]

i dont have a meter for checking that. I don't see any cables for parking brake so i doubt that is has that mod. I have a set of calibers and rotors from the front of a 3/4 ton i could swap if they are completely shot. Anything i should worry about if his brother welds back on OEM perches? or do you think i could use these?

I'm gonna try and meet the guy next week so i can see it and snap a few photos.

 

[crazy4offroad]

You may be able to use these but it looks like it will net the equivalent of about 4" lift. You would also need a link bar, if they are the rotating type but it sounds like they might not be. If he welds on perches make sure they are stamped not cast, and make sure you get your pinion angle how you want it.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Here is what information he gave me so far:

-Bought the axle from Boyce Equipment 10 years ago for $1400 (military rebuilds)

My initial guess was military axle...

 

[usar17]

It looks like there are u-bolts welded on facing forward next to the shock mounts :/

 

[crazy4offroad]

It looks like there are u-bolts welded on facing forward next to the shock mounts :/

Those were probably for the link bars, like anti-wrap bars.

 

[usar17]

I know someone else asked this before but I can't find it now. What gear oil do u recommend with this setup? Any additives needed for a Detroit?

 

[crazy4offroad]

Need to find out if it's a lunchbox type locker or a full carrier. Either way if it's a mechanical locker it probably doesn't. Limited slip diffs are what usually requires it, with the clutch packs.

 

[HotRodPC]

Doesn't really matter. If the guy is shooting you straight and it seems he is, that is worth $275 all day long and them some even if you just used it for parts on another 14b FF, but it does look like you can take that set up off of it and have standard perches welded on. The Deotroit Locker alone is over $500, the disk brake conversion kit is probably worth $200-$300 itself. So you've got roughly $800 in parts to use, even if you can't use that housing. And it's OBO. Hit him at $200. If you can't get it to work, then so be it. When you find a standard one ready to bolt in for $150 or so, you have good conversion guts and you wanted the 4.10 ratio anyway. I'm surprised he's not asking $500 for that.

 

[usar17]

AGHHH HE SOLD IT LAST NIGHT. Damn my work schedule. I had spoke with him about picking it up today.

Back to square 1

 

[HotRodPC]

Yeah, I knew that wouldn't last long. And that's the trick to good deals, you have to pounce or they are gone.