the zander

Before someone starts yelling, no, i'm not trying to adapt a 14-bolt to my fbody. I have a project s-10 with a blown axle and i can't decide if the increased weight of a GM 9.5 (semi floating 14-bolt) is worth it?

Can anyone tell me how much a 14-bolt SF 9.5" axle weighs? How about a 12-bolt?

-Zander

Air_Adam

The 14 bolt weighs as much or more than a Dana 60, which is a pig. The 12 bolt is heavy, but nowhere near what the 14 bolt is.

AlkyIROC

I've got a 14 bolt, 9-1/2" diff with 5 on 5 bolt pattern axles in my 454SS. I'm not pulling it to find out how much it weighs.

If you're worried about weight, put a 12 bolt or 9" under the S10.

the zander

Fair enough stephen, i'm leaning towards a disc-brake equipped 8.8. i do have one more related question.

If i buy custom axles with a chevy bolt pattern from moser for a ford 8.8, will i have to have rotors designed for an explorer (the vehicle that originally housed the 8.8) re-drilled, or is there a chance i can use brake rotors designed for a chevy (obviously of the same diameter as the ford rotors). like maybe those off of a camaro? Im not sure if the dimentions of the rotor's "hat" are constant throughout manufacturers.

-Z

big gear head

When I ship a 12 bolt the weight is usually about 230 pounds including the pallet. If you use the 8.8 with explorer brakes then all you need to do is drill the rotors for the 5 on 4 3/4 bolt pattern. If you put explorer brakes on a GM rear end then you are going to have a little more trouble. The GM axle hang out is 1/4 inch more than the Ford.

AlkyIROC

You custom order axles in whatever bolt pattern you want. When I ordered axles for my 9", I got them in the Ford 5 x 4-1/2 bolt pattern so I could use normal ford brakes. It made rear brakes much easier. Just means you also need proper rims. I have Weld Draglite on the front which have dual bolt patterns. On the rear I have Weld Prostar with the Ford bolt pattern. When I ordered my axles, I also got 5/8" drive studs for them. That's another special order.

Heslekrants

I'm in the process of swapping my 8.5" 10 bolt 3.73 for a 9.5" 14 bolt 4.10 in my 99 Suburban. I can weight it this weekend but I'm going with disc brakes so that's at least a 50lb savings there.

Going to a 33 spline & a 9.5" ring gear gotta be worth a few pounds.

Shagwell

My stock 10-bolt was a 3.42, but otherwise I'm doing the exact same thing on my 'burban.

A 14-bolt(even the smaller 9.5" semi-floaters) is considerably heavier than anything I even would think of putting under a performance vehicle.

irisservice

Nice swap can you give me info on it..want to a swap like this on my 99 tahoe.