Is the 12 bolt Chevy axle any good? reason I am asking is a friend of mine has a 76? blazer that he is putting a 14bolt and D60 under. Sounds like I could get the front and rear originals off of him for cheap, run those knuckles on my ford D44 for high steer and run those calipers/brakes and run 6 lug instead of 5...

I just want to know if the 12 bolt is even worth messing with if not ill just find a full width 8.8 with 5on5.5 like my D44.

 

I know a few guys who have trucks with them. They seem to have no problems at all. I would say the 12 bolt is stronger than the 8.8.

 

if its paired with a 60 id say 12bolt stronger

 

i would almost think it is compareable to a 31 spline 8.8........

but like Evan said, if you can get the brakes and everything to run on the Dana 44, then i would get it....crap you already have the leafs, all you will need to do is weld up some new spring plates for it...

 

his friend is swapping out his 12 bolt and Dana 44 for a 14 bolt and D60.....

 

skip all these 1/2? ton axles and get some 60s


if you want me to i can post this up on Krawltex, they may know a thing or 2...

 

oh i read that wrong..oops

 

freekin noobs!

the 8.8 31 spline is stronger, but if he is going to go with 1/2 ton Chevy high steer knuckles, the 12 Bolt would be better.....that way he wouldn't have to go into a custom rear brake setup.....

 

The 12-bolt has a weak pinion shaft and carrier, if it was a 12-bolt from a car than it would be alright. Axles are 1.28 in/ 30 spl (1.32 in/ 31 spl), The axle tubes are 3.0 in/ .22-.25 thick (3.25 in/ .180-.250 thick) and both are c-clip.

 

You should be able to easily find a semi-float 14 bolt which would be much better than a 12 bolt and would still have the 6 lug pattern that Chevys have. They're also pretty cheap. 12 bolts just aren't much good IMO, but I'd say they are comparable to a D44. I chose to scrap the 12 bolt I had in favor of a D44 for the Samurai though.

 

ok well i think that answers my question. no 12bolt.

what did these 14 bolts with 6 lug come on? Also did the D60 ever come in 6 lug?

 

leaf springs? this full width rear axle wont have leaf springs. coils are the only way.

 

some '88 1/2 ton x-cabs. maybe 78-79 D60, I'm not real sure

 

yea i forgot .......

 

my 12bolt in my chevy handles the launches I give it w/ 472hp on tap.

 

well i am going to go look at it. who knows i might bring it home, just not sure i want to use chevy axles. :)

 

Axles are fine. But just don't go switching over to a full Chevy powerplant...

But, I hear the Chevy T400's are pretty decent...

Sounds fun. Gonna be more flexy flexy in the rear!

 

I am going to assume that this is a car which would have the stronger 12-bolt, it can be swapped over to the ranger but I am not sure on the WMS

 

LS1/LT1 FTW

The 78-79 ford D60's are not 6 lug, as far as I know no rear 60 came 6 lug. But im sure you could get a 60 and then buy 6 lug rotors and hubs to fit it. There are companies that sell that type of stuff. Friend of mine just built custom 5x5.5 D60's front and rear for his Cherokee.

 

Zach, best as I can figure for the semifloat 14 bolt is this:

It was used in the rear of 1964-and-later GM pickups, and in the rear of 1984-91 3/4-ton Suburbans.

That would be your best bet I think. A ford 9" would also be a good deal if you decide to stick with 5on5.5 instead of going to 6 lug.

 

Well a friend of mine has a D60 FF from a Suburban and a 9" so I guess I have a choice from either.

I am going to keep my eye out for a 14 bolt tho. Ive got some time yet.

 

my chevy has a 6 lug 14 bolt they come in heavy half ton trucks they are marked 3/4 ton but are 6 lug its the small 14 bolt (9.5") but ive twisted off two drive shafts and never had a problem with it