axisT6

iTrader: (3)

This purpose of this project is to prep. a 6 Lug 14 Bolt SF axle into a 1/2 Ton Avalanche.

Here is what will be done:

1. Geared to 3.73 with a Detroit True Trac
2. New Bearings and Seals
3. Adapt Factory Disk Brakes
4. Custom 4 Link Bracketry

Here is the bare housing:




These next two pictures give an idea as to how large the internals are on this axle:





More pics and tech will follow.

InchUp

iTrader: (2)

In the words of Yoda, "Very interested I am in your project."

If my rear Dana 44 6-lug takes a crap on me the 6-lug 14b is the one that's replacing it. What was the axle ripped out of?

Carry on.

axisT6

iTrader: (3)

Wha?? You have a 6 lug D44 rear? Is that custom? Sure it is not a 10 bolt?

This particular axle came out of an 88-98 GM 6 lug 3/4 ton van (HINT HINT)! A lot of people don't particularly know about his source for the 14 bolt. It is 68" wide just like the Z-71 axles, but because they are not out of a Z-71, the aren't astronomically expensive.

zippy

Wouldn't it have been easier to just get a factory 14 bolt rear out of an Avalanche?

As for the Z71 thing, the Z71 option has nothing to do with the 6 lug 14 bolts. They came in F44 equipped 1500 series trucks and 2500LD trucks from 88' to 99'. They new body style Avalanche with the 6.0L L76 option comes with the 6 lug 14 bolt rear also.

axisT6

iTrader: (3)

I have not seen a factory 6 lug 14 bolt SF axle out of an Avalanche with the provisions for the linked suspension. Even if they did exist, they would be way too much $$ to be worth it.

Also, the Z71/4x4 thing has A LOT to do with the 6 lug 14 bolts because they are WIDER then what you will find in most of the 88-98 2500LD trucks (which happen to be 2wd). The Z71/4x4 axle is 68", the axle of the 2500LD trucks is 65" wide. The wider axle is the desireable one since the avy axle is close to that width.

silveradol33

iTrader: (30)

I have seen several avalanches with a Semi float 14.

BTW, I have a 68' axle from a 91 2500LD 4X4. Z71 has nothing to do with it.

axisT6

iTrader: (3)

Did those Avalanches have the linked rear suspension, or was it the the 2500 series with 8 lugs and leaf springs?

Also, my comment about the Z71 thing was mostly due to the fact that I have not seen a 4x4 2500LD around Houston in long time. If you notice I said "Z71/4x4" because I have seen few 6 lug 4x4 trucks that did not have the Z71 stickers.

To clear it all up, the axle out of the 2WD 88-98 2500LD truck is not desireable because it is 65" wide. If the axle came out of an 88-98 Z71, 4x4 2500LD, or Van, it will have the desireable width.

Bill Reid

iTrader: (14)

I had a 98 Z71 with the 14bolt... should have never gotten rid of that truck With the 14bolt option came an extra leaf spring...

... and I have never seen a 1/2 ton Avalanche with a 14 bolt from the factory... and if they do exist I wouldn't want to even think about how much a junkyard would bend you over for one...

Bill

zippy

My point about the Z71 thing is that the Z71 option did not have a wider axle than the standard 4x4. You got the same diff if you got the Z71 option or not. It was the F44 (heavy duty chassis package) option that got you a 9.5" 14 bolt, 5 leafs instead of 4, 6600GVW, and if I recall and oil cooler. I believe we have one of the Av's on our lot right now with the 9.5" 14 bolt factory with the 5 link factory system. I'll try to get pictures of it for you. Might be a good referrence anyway. As for cost, most conversion's by the time you're done with every single part you aren't that far off of the cost to buy it built that way in the first place. You also have more of a chance to have something not be exactly correct in alignment when you do it yourself.

axisT6

iTrader: (3)

You are correct on the Z71 thing. I would like to see pictures of the Factory 6 lug 14 SF with the 5 link.

I have to disagree with you on the cost thing though, at least for this build. Most of the half ton avalanche axles I have found around here go for $1200 - $1350. That is for the 10 bolt. I can say with certainty that a 14 SF version would be a whole lot more. The cost of the Van axle in the picture was $450, and the cost to set up the housing for the 5 link will be around that if not less.