14 Bolt Swap How to

[thz71]

Ok so heres my attempt at a how-to on swapping from a 10 bolt rear end to a 14 bolt rear end. First heres the parts list

14 Bolt 6 lug-$300-$600
1350 conversion U-Joint-$23.95 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mog-348
not all 1/2ton trucks had a 1310 u-joint some have a Saginaw S44 u-joint. Precision makes a conversion for that
3/4 ton u bolt plates-$10- $15
U-Bolts- I payed $53 (you can find them cheaper)
3/4 ton Yoke straps-$9
Shocks (optional)-pretty much how ever much you wana pay
Primer-$3 (optional)
Paint-$10(optional)
80w-90 gear oil-$17
Gasket or Gasket maker-$8 for gasket maker
and any bolts you break off

Ok so first things first you need to find an axle, It needs to have the same gear ratio as your front diff, and it would also be nice if it was a six lug so you don’t have to get different rims and are still able to rotate tires. Then after that its time to pull

Ok so here’s the big old 14 bolt

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And heres the enemy the little 10 bolt

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Hers a comparison of the brake drums

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So now it’s time to start pullin the 10 bolt out. First thing I did was Jack it up and put jackstands under the frame up out of the way, then get the tires off. Next unhook the drive shaft. I wired it up to the Bottom of the bed so I wasn’t putting any un needed stress on anything.

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Then i took off the shocks (which needed replaced anyway)

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Then I started to work on the the leaf spring bolts, I got the first three out no problem but the fourth one right by the gas tank was a huge pain I burned up 2 grinders trying. And you can’t use a torch on it or an impact because it’s way too close to the gas tank. Finally got that out and dropped the rear end out of it

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Next thing was to unhook the brakes

Once I had them unhooked I used 2 jacks to pull it out from under the truck
here’s the closest thing to a side by side comparison

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So the 14 bolt came with 3/4 ton springs and a 5.5” lift block. I sold the block to SkyhighColorado.

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Next thing I did was take the springs blocks and axle apart and grind it down to the metal.

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Then i put a coat of primer on it and then a few coats of black on the axle the leafs and the U bolt plates

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While the paint was drying I put the new U joint in, and put the driveshaft back in. and took the old shackles off the old leafs and put them on the new ones.

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The I put the new Leafs in with the new bolts I bought

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Next I drained all the gear oil out of it and checked for metal shavings or any other damage, then i filled it back up with 80W-90 and sealed it up with black RTV

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Then I used a cherry picker and 2 floor jacks to get the huge pig off the sawhorses and under the truck all by myself (pain in the butt) i wouldn’t recomend doing it alone. I put the shims in between the leafs and axle and went back and forth between both sides tightening the u bolts up.

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The next thing was to put the shocks on I used six inch lift shocks because I thought I might go higher later.

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I hooked the driveshaft back up to the axle with the 3/4 ton yoke straps and conversion u joint

Then I put the wheels back on and wah la! it’s back on the road again
I don’t have the brakes hooked up yet the rear ones din’t work before the swap anyway haha

This is the finished project

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So total I have about 493.88 in the swap minus the 50 i got outa the blocks so I got $443.88 in it

I did my best here and i’m sure I Missed stuff Ill answer any questions the best I can

Don't forget to rep if you want! lol

 

[Kyle97GMC]

Awesome write up! I will use this once I find a good 14 bolt! Rep!

 

[thz71]

Awesome write up! I will use this once I find a good 14 bolt! Rep!

Thanks man I appreciate it if ya need any help when the time comes ill be around

 

[Vortec Lover]

Rep! On my to-do list for sure- great write up!

 

[thz71]

Rep! On my to-do list for sure- great write up!

Thanks man i appreciate it!

 

[Kyle97GMC]

Thanks man I appreciate it if ya need any help when the time comes ill be around

I will hit you up you can count on that! haha

 

[92GMC]

do you have a pic of your pinion angle?

 

[thz71]

I will hit you up you can count on that! haha

Sounds good man haha

do you have a pic of your pinion angle?

No but ill get one for you if you want i gota get some pics of my exhaust for some other members

 

[eg30.06]

how does she stop with all that brake in the rear? i had to get a brake proportioning valve when i did mine because the locked up when ever i hit the brake. looks good!

 

[thz71]

how does she stop with all that brake in the rear? i had to get a brake proportioning valve when i did mine because the locked up when ever i hit the brake. looks good!

like I said up there the brakes aren't even hooked up yet they wernt working b4 the swap so oh well