14 bolt upgrades

I'd just run the 9.5" 14b as is, it should hold up to your application.

i'm just worried about one of the clips breaking at the track. how much bigger are the shafts than the 8.6's? are the shafts really that much stronger? I've never seen a 14 bolt 9.5" shaft.

Look at thArfs build (google "THARF axle"). He compares the two shafts.

c clips don't break. axle shafts doo. hold on and i'll get you some measurments. i have some 14 sf shafts in the garage.

Jameson said:

Look at thArfs build (google "THARF axle"). He compares the two shafts.

Click to expand...

thats funny i just read that article right before i reread the thread. but it says 14 bolt ff when it shows the shaft. i was trying to figure out why it didn't have a c-clip groove.

brianZ71 said:

c clips don't break. axle shafts doo. hold on and i'll get you some measurments. i have some 14 sf shafts in the garage.

Click to expand...

ok, cool. thanks i'm hoping they won't break lol. where is a good place to get a detroit locker and a set of 3.73 gears? the axle i'm looking at seems to only come in highway gears.

I'll have some 3.73s from my 14sf pretty soon (well, I can pull them as soon as I get back to the axle) if you want them. I got my Detroit TruTrac from East Coast Gear Supply, they are good people.

10 bolt axle shafts are 30 spline 1.29" OD

14SF axle shafts are 33 spline 1.37" OD

~12% increase in cross sectional area, but ~35% increase in torsional strength.

bggrnchvy said:

10 bolt axle shafts are 30 spline 1.29" OD

14SF axle shafts are 33 spline 1.37" OD

~12% increase in cross sectional area, but ~35% increase in torsional strength.

Click to expand...

To add to that, the axle tapers up in two spots. At the bearing, the shafts are right at 1.75".

Also, to break a C-clip, you would need to impose an axial force on the axle shaft large enough to shear the C-clip.

so if i get the new axles from superior which are 25% stronger than stock 9.5" axles then i'll be set for sure.?.

silver98Z71 said:

I'll have some 3.73s from my 14sf pretty soon (well, I can pull them as soon as I get back to the axle) if you want them. I got my Detroit TruTrac from East Coast Gear Supply, they are good people.

Click to expand...

sounds good but i'm looking for income tax time for this. so if you have them at that time and they are in good condition then we can hook it up.

In your application a stock 14SF will be a perfect upgrade for you. Bggrnchvy and AxisT6 just explained the strength upgrades for you. You are on the right track with this, but I think C clip elleminators are worthless because no matter what the axle shaft is probably your weakest link in the axle. Even if there were some sort of c clip elleminator when the shaft breaks you will still not be able to drive the vehicle. You may have enough time to drive it on a trailer to get it home. It will put a load on the out bering causing it to fail.

i think i will just get the rear end and swap out the stock diff for a detroit locker and 3.73's. i'm hopeing that my stock brakes work on it. some reason the escalade rear has only single piston calipers. mine has dual with 13" rotors stock. i think that is what saved me was my huge calipers. it kept my wheels on. i would get a girdle too but it won't fit with the (forgot the name) the fifth link or locator bar. shit i forgot the name of it!!!

You will have to do some research on the brakes. I dont think they will bolt up. May need to fabricate some parts to make them adapt!

a detroit locker would probably be a little much if you DD this truck

i have a detroit locker in it now. this same locker was in my silverado. so i've driven this locker for 5 years now. and i love it. the weight of the hoe helps it keep quiet too. not as "chirpy" as the silverado was.