Ford 10.25" and GM 14 bolt are interchangeable


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Posted by Charlie on Sunday, December 10, 2000 at 23:58:11:

In Reply to: w-200 rear axle upgrade posted by bob igram on Sunday, December 10, 2000 at 12:05:42:

A couple of years ago I decided to install a GM 14 bolt in my F350 (it can be seen at www.ford-diesel.com, contents menu, "feature articles", "Charlie Aaron's truck") because I went to 38.7" 11.00R16 XLs and the 10.25" ring gear Ford "Sterling" axle doesn't go over 4.56. The GM 14 bolt has 4.88 and 5.13 available.
I bought the axle from Boyce Equipemnt in Utah. It was then and still is extremely reasonably price, ~~$1000, depending on choice of ratio, moving spring pads etc. The axles are take-offs from military CUCVs. They are thoroughly "gone through" and have new bearings, seals and brake shoes and either new or freshly turned drums. In my case also new diff gears. And a NoSpin (Detroit Locker, NoSpin is the name when it's an insert in a stock splittable diff carrier; that's why Detroits for 14 bolts are cheaper than Detroits for 10 bolts or other tiny diffs) is standard! Them who know prefer working on a 14 bolt as compared to a Dana 70 because the pinion gear/bearing "slug" is removable from the ront by removing 5 bolts. It also has 3 pinion bearings, not two, and the ring gear is the same size as a Dana 70, and it has 1.50" axles just like a 70, 80 or 10.25".
Comparatively Dynatrac wants ~$3500 for a new dana 70 with a Detroit. Of course theirs are new and custom assembled.
Anyways, I think the spring pads did NOT need to be moved, and amazingly the yoke worked with the Ford (1350 series Spicer, I think) U-joint. The only welding work needed was regarding the anti-sway bar brackets, which I disposed of because of the massively progressive rear suspension (5 main leaves instead of usual 4, standard underslung overload, 4 overloads on top instead of one) which has sufficient anti-sway properities of its' own IMHO.
Just go measure the distance between rear springs for your truck and a 1 ton or 3/4 ton Chevy with full floating axle.
However, if you currently have a full floater it's a Dana 60 and I wouldn't bother upgrading, the 60 should be strong enough for anything; I'd spend the upgrade money on a Detroit Locker. If it's a semi floater (meaning your W200 was a "light" 3/4 ton) the 14 bolt would be the most economical by far.
Charlie


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