Heavy Half Capacity

[Letters]

Not sure what a Northstar is, but if you are moving lots of heavyish equipment a 5th wheel/gooseneck trailer makes a big difference in load capacity and safety.

By Northstar I meant one of the '90s GM K-body sedans with a Northstar engine. Around 2 tons.

I imagine it would be whichever version of the 14 bolt I find in good condition locally that I'd use, the FF if possible. You have a point with the "if it ain't broke yet.." idea so I'll probably leave it for now but start looking for a 14 bolt when I see people parting out.

Thanks

 

[jetman]

By Northstar I meant one of the '90s GM K-body sedans with a Northstar engine. Around 2 tons.

I imagine it would be whichever version of the 14 bolt I find in good condition locally that I'd use, the FF if possible. You have a point with the "if it ain't broke yet.." idea so I'll probably leave it for now but start looking for a 14 bolt when I see people parting out.

Thanks

10-4 You may wish to simply inspect/change out your 10 bolt rear axle bearings & seals; changing the gear lube in the process. Drop dead simple, cheap and good insurance if you are pulling heavy loads. Good luck with that Northstar, I had forgotten all about those...

 

[Letters]

Picked up a 14 bolt sf 8 lug in pretty good condition. The perches are wrong but that's not too big of a deal, and I have someone I can trade my 6 lug wheels to for 8 lugs. I plan on doing the normal axle maintenance on it as well when it goes in.

Will I need to do anything to the driveshaft?
Edit: 350/sm465/np205 with 52" springs

Thanks for all the help so far

 

[MadOgre]

Picked up a 14 bolt sf 8 lug in pretty good condition. The perches are wrong but that's not too big of a deal, and I have someone I can trade my 6 lug wheels to for 8 lugs. I plan on doing the normal axle maintenance on it as well when it goes in.

Will I need to do anything to the driveshaft?
Edit: 350/sm465/np205 with 52" springs

Thanks for all the help so far

Yes the 10 bolt drive shaft is longer by about 1 1/2 inches so you will need to find either the one that is used with a 14 bolt axle or shorten your existing one......or install a 6" lift and then its all good

 

[MadOgre]

Does this new 14 SF have factory disc brakes by any chance ?

 

[Letters]

Drum brakes, and I didn't think to mention it but it does have a 4" lift on 35s. I was considering putting it back to stock height when the tires wear out though.

 

[MadOgre]

Well you will have to stick it in and measure how much is left sticking out. I can measure one tomorrow that is stock and you can compare to see where your at ?

 

[MadOgre]

You might get away with it at 4" That would be awesome heh?

 

[MadOgre]

Apparently the 95-99ish 14 SF came with a factory disc brake setup with a drum brake inside the disc brake for a parking brake! That's what Im looking for! I think its a little wider axle too, which is fine with me.

But they can not be retro fit to the earlier axles so you need to grab the whole thing

 

[Letters]

Yeah, it would be nice if that was enough to make it fit..

And thanks for the measurement when you get to it.

 

[MadOgre]

Yeah, it would be nice if that was enough to make it fit..

And thanks for the measurement when you get to it.

Ya no worries probably tomorrow afternoon.

@HotRodPC probably knows it off memory

 

[jetman]

Picked up a 14 bolt sf 8 lug in pretty good condition. The perches are wrong but that's not too big of a deal, and I have someone I can trade my 6 lug wheels to for 8 lugs. I plan on doing the normal axle maintenance on it as well when it goes in.

Will I need to do anything to the driveshaft?
Edit: 350/sm465/np205 with 52" springs

Thanks for all the help so far

I did this conversion on a '83 SWB (stock suspension) recently. Yes, the stock 10 bolt driveshaft is longer than the driveshaft that comes with a 14 bolt. Had planned on shortening my 10b driveshaft, but after bolting in the 14b SF found the stock 10b driveshaft still fit with adequate clearance, even with rear springs fully loaded. Don't forget to verify matching axle gear ratio's before you slide it into 4WD!

 

[MadOgre]

Yeah, it would be nice if that was enough to make it fit..

And thanks for the measurement when you get to it.

Ok so I just measured a stock Th400/NP208 with a 14 bolt SF with 0 lift at stock ride height and it is just a hair longer than 3" from the end of the tail housing to the end of the machined slip yoke area.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[MadOgre]

That is 3 1/4" from the end of the tail housing not the seal

 

[Letters]

I have fixed yokes