maybe im misunderstanding. the 9.5 SF 14 bolt already is 6 bolt pattern. the 10.5 your talking about that came in the 2500's is 8 bolt. they all came with drums except if you could find an 04 VHO...it had discs and is a 6 bolt 9.5.

what i am saying is that if you want to ditch the drum brakes off of it you can take your existing 10bolt brakes and they will bolt up to the new 14 bolt rearend with very little work. quik has done this as have a few others.

so basically you need a 14bolt out of a 2wd SS or a vortec max or VHO and it will already be 6 bolt pattern. it will be a 9.5 instead of a 10.5 but should still be plenty strong for your application.

 

AH I think I understand then... If i am going to do this I want the 10.5 for maximum strength.

 

Trying to use the 10.5" will be a hassle. First off, they are all 8 lug. Secondly, they have a gigantic hub that sticks out the middle of the axle ends (thru the wheels) and you will need new wheels that can fit this like I mentioned earlier. The hub is something like 5" in diameter. Doesn't leave much room for wheel studs on a 6 lug pattern.

Anything out of a 2500HD will be 8 lug, which means you will need new axles, if they can be made.

I didn't realize there were newer trucks using the 9.5" 14 bolts. Really, look into the 9.5, it will be much easier and CHEAPER!

 

I agree...from what little i know you'd need to be putting down a ton of rwhp to push the limits of the 9.5.

 

Can you tell me a year Range to look for to find the 9.5 14 Bolt? like 2003-2006 Silverado SS or similar just so i have a starting point for calling some Parts Houses...

 

05 and up 2wd/rear wheel drive SS. 04 and up 1500 silverado Vortec Max's or VHO's...
2wd and maybe 4wd....not sure about the 4wd part. all should be 9.5 14bolt with drum brakes except the 04 VHO's came with discs.

 

Have fun Dave. I hope I don't ever have to do this but I'll watch the thread and learn just in case.

 

rivierakid55, thanks I'll start looking around but, that probably going to be too new to find any good deals... :-\

Ky Bob, Considering you are making more power then me and have tires like mine you better start saving... ;-)



More then likely I am going to just have to through some new gears the axle for now due to costs and just keep my foot out of the throttle but, then again i always manage to come up with something last minute... hehe

 

Well, moving on with things... Looks like the 2003-2004 Hummer H2 14 Bolt will be my choice, looks like the Coil Perchas and the trailing arm mount match up to the Avalanche. Will only have to relocate the Shock Mounts, I will keep the 8 Bolt wheels mounts by getting some 6 to 8 lug adapters for my front end and run some Hummer H2 Take Off Rims. I actualy like the H2 rims but, I will have them Powdered Coated Black and have the HUMMER taken off th center caps. And since it has Disc brakes that will make things easier...

The H2 axle has 4.10 gears and a locker of some kind... need to look into this locker more and I currently have 4.56 gears but, I think I will try the 4.10's and see how they do. With the gearing of my ZF6 Manual Trans the 4.10's should actualy do really and net me a MPG gain... I need to pull my front axle to fix a leak so, if i like the 4.10's i'll just swap them while i have it out of the truck.

 

Good find. It's always better to start off closer to the finished product. I'm sure you can find one of those in a junkyard somewhere with all the yuppie soccer moms that drive those things with no attention.