Here is some TECH: 8 LUG 14 FF into a 2003 Avalanche

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:39 PM

This is a glimpse of what I have been doing in order to aquire $$ for my truck project.

Alright, I was contacted by Lord Aries from Performancetrucks.net to do a 14 Bolt FF build for his Avalanche. The build is to go as follows:

1. Remove ALL factory 4 link bracketry from the current 10 bolt, and transplant them to the 14 Bolt FF.

2. Install 4.56 gears with a Detroit Locker.

3. Rebuild the 14 Bolt Hubs.

4. Install Disk Brakes.

5. Pressure wash, wire wheel, prime, and paint axle.

The axle will also have a 1350 U-bolt style yoke.

Here are some pics of the bare axle:

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:39 PM

This axle came from a 1978 Van, has 1.5" shaft measurements at the splines, is 70" wide, and has a 10.5" Ring Gear. The tubes are 3-3/8" Dia. with .5" wall thickness. This axle will weigh 450 lbs. when done. What the truck may loose in additional weight, it will gain in traction and strength. Did I mention that this particular Avvy has a Turbo and Nitrous??

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:40 PM

Here is a pic of the ring gear and carrier to give an idea of the beef inside this axle.

That is a 12" x 8" square next to it.

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:41 PM

Here is a pic of progress. I have the hubs fully rebuilt with the rotors added. All that is left is to paint them. I used dually studs to give more thread engagement.

Here is a shot of one of the axle shafts to give an idea of the beef of this thing.

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:42 PM

Well, here is the axle with all of the OEM 4 link bracketry installed from the old 10 bolt. Tomorrow I will gear this thing.

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:42 PM

Here she is all painted. The brackets you see hanging from the ends of the axle housing are for the disk brake conversion.

Of course, the days was not without it's headaches. I discovered that I was sent the wrong gears for the carrier this axle has. This axle has the 4.10 and down carrier (needs a thicker ring gear), and they sent me gears for a 4.56+ Carrier (uses a thinner ring gear). I double checked, and the sales receipt and packing slip show the model number for the gears I needed. It seems that whoever packed everything up grabbed the wrong gear set.

**osamabinkeifen** · 12-06-2007, 01:43 PM

arent the van 14bolts like 3 inches longer on each side than the normal C&C 14 bolts??? so it will stick out too far unless you make up for it with rim backspacing...

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:43 PM

ALMOST DONE!!!

I installed the disk brakes tonight.

I do need to take the other brake caliper back as it looks as if was used, and then returned. It had brake fluid dripping out of it, and had a bit of mud caked to it.

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:44 PM

Also, I had hell finding the little snap ring that holds the lock key for the spindle nut. So I had to improvise with some bling stainless steel snap rings. The worked out pretty well.

All that is left is to gear this beast, install the axle shafts, and then ship it out.

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osamabinkeifen

arent the van 14bolts like 3 inches longer on each side than the normal C&C 14 bolts??? so it will stick out too far unless you make up for it with rim backspacing...

You have your terminology mixed up dude. The C&C 14 bolts are 65” wide WMS-WMS. The normal truck 14 bolts (most common) are 67.5” wide WMS-WMS. The van 14 bolts are 70” wide WMS-WMS.

The axle out of the Avalanche was about 68” wide WMS-WMS, so this axle is about 1” wider per side so this axle works for what this guy wants to do.

**osamabinkeifen** · 12-06-2007, 01:48 PM

gotta love how easy it is to regear those 14bolts!!!!

**GoonRider237** · 12-06-2007, 01:50 PM

Very nice work. The only thing missing is pictures of this Avalanche!

**osamabinkeifen** · 12-06-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axisT6

You have your terminology mixed up dude. The C&C 14 bolts are 65” wide WMS-WMS. The normal truck 14 bolts (most common) are 67.5” wide WMS-WMS. The van 14 bolts are 70” wide WMS-WMS.

The axle out of the Avalanche was about 68” wide WMS-WMS, so this axle is about 1” wider per side so this axle works for what this guy wants to do.

oooo well never mind then..lol

**thecodeman** · 12-06-2007, 01:55 PM

So is his avalanche a 1500 im assuming, from the mention of the 4 link. Is this the same type of axle that's under my 2500 avalanche? It's got leafs...

I would assume its the 14bolt FF.

Curious because the axle in the back is about 3" shorter total than the width in the front. Some guys use 1.5" spacers to compensate.

**axisT6** · 12-06-2007, 01:56 PM

By the way, the fabrication was performed my Mark at Creative Engineering Offroad in Tamina, Texas (roughly 30 miles north of Houston).