9.5 14 bolt swap questions, beat to death I know............

[Knuckle Dragger]

OK I looked, most of it is already posted but reference 4x4 trucks. I have a 94 single cab short bed truck with the 8.5. I want to change gears ratios again and figure I might as well go with the 9.5 built over time and not take my truck out of commission waiting on funds.

So, if I reading things correctly I can use a 9.5 out of any 88-98 2WD truck? Will the Tahoe and Suburban units also work? Will my brake backing plate bolt up and can I keep the drums as I have them now? Obviously I'll have to address axle lug issues.

It's kind of a causal thing for me. I'll buy stuff as I find a deal but I'd hate to have it wrong buy the wrong stuff. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Lanny]

SUV's will have different spring mounts for the leafs. Id try to find a 6 lug 14 bolt rear assuming your truck is a 1500 or a light 2500. You wont have to mess with a full float and itll have plenty of beef. Driveshaft might have a different yoke but there are plenty of adapters and ways to change that once you get there. In terms of length of driveshaft im not sure.

 

[Trigger_guard]

I'm not the most knowledgeable on axles but I'll answer what I can.

As far as I know. All the corporate 9.5s are the same from 88-98, with the exception that 4wd versions are wider than the 2wd.

Also if I'm not mistaken they all have welded backing plates and drum brakes.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[df2x4]

From what I've gathered yes, you can use any 2WD 9.5" 14 bolt semi-floater from an '88-'98 with the exception of the SUV units as mentioned.

I'm also curious about the brakes though. I'm currently in the process of sourcing parts for a similar upgrade in my red '97 C1500. I'm going to find a six lug 2WD 9.5" 14 bolt and send the axles to Moser for conversion to five lug. I want to keep my factory five lug wheels. I was planning on re-using my factory brake parts if possible but I'm not sure how compatible everything is.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Good to know on the Tahoe/Suburban not working, I thought they were different but wanted to know for sure. The brakes are all I've really got left to be concerned about. I have already switched to the bigger u-joint so the shaft length is all I'll have to figure out there, that's easy.

What size rear brakes did the 454ss have?

 

[98 Nitro]

Look up Dutchman axles, they sell the 5lug ss454 axles, and yes I believe the ss trucks had the bigger drums.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Look up Dutchman axles, they sell the 5lug ss454 axles, and yes I believe the ss trucks had the bigger drums.

I have them book marked, thanks.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Any one have any input on what I should expect to pay for a used 14b 9.5? The local full service yards want $300-400. If I can find one in a you pull it yard they seem to go for $150 plus what ever they try to bang me for on the drums, u-bolts etc. Sometimes they try to add that one me and sometimes they don't.

One yard has 454ss rear for $750 , a yard in Oregon is showing one for $450 so I think this guy is high.

 

[df2x4]

One yard has 454ss rear for $750

Out of curiosity, where at?

 

[df2x4]

To answer your question though, the six lug 9.5" 14 bolt semi floaters go for around $350 pulled in my area. Actual 454SS axles are exponentially higher. I almost bought one shipped from NJ to MO for $1K, and another from NY to MO for $750. Both guys disappeared unfortunately.