8 lug or 6 lug?????? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67chevemall · 11-05-2004, 05:19 PM

What rear end/axle do you guys like better?
The 8 lug is pretty heavy duty with the oil in the axles and all, but
Isn't the 6 lug lighter with less problems?

Anyone know the factory ratios for

1978 8 lug rear end h/d
1979 6 lug rear end ??????

Cheers

*1FaastC10* · 11-05-2004, 06:29 PM

the 8 lug will be a 14 bolt Full floater, since its a pre 80s 8 lug. should be identified by 8 bolts on the hub, as well as the 8 lug nuts. by far superior to anything offered with 6 lugs. the 14FF is considered almost bulletproof, and will stand up to 44"+ tires and heavy wheeling with ease. i personally run them in two of my trucks, as well as my family has run them in plow trucks and tow rigs for years. never a problem out of them. the 14FF is likely to have 4.10 gears, as they are the most common, but i have seen 3.73 and 4.56 axles.

the other axle you mentioned is a 12 bolt, very similar to strength to the 10 bolt used from 82+. about 33" is max tire size for abuse, and the gears are commonly 3.08s, with other sets ranging from 2.73-3.73. pinion bearings are small, as well as a small (8.5") ring gear, compared to the 14FF's 10.5" ring gear.

overall, i'd go with the 14.

67chevemall · 11-08-2004, 10:11 PM

Sweet info
Thanks !
I went ahead a bought a 79 C-20 It did have the 14 bolt!woohoo
Now I have a 78 C-20 that I'm going to part out!
I'll show so pics in a new thread!
Cheers

Destructo · 11-08-2004, 10:49 PM

The 12 bolt has a 8.875" ring gear, 10 bolt is 8.5"

If your using it on the street then I would use a 12 bolt, 14 bolts are VERY heavy, but if your going to need a heavy rear axle for towing or big tires and off-roading then the 14 bolt is the best choice, if its a street truck 12 bolt is better for that purpose.

*1FaastC10* · 11-08-2004, 11:00 PM

10 bolt and 12 bolts are about the same in strength. what the 12 bolt adds in strength in some areas are lost in others.

11-05-2004, 05:19 PM	#1
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	8 lug or 6 lug?????? What rear end/axle do you guys like better? The 8 lug is pretty heavy duty with the oil in the axles and all, but Isn't the 6 lug lighter with less problems? Anyone know the factory ratios for 1978 8 lug rear end h/d 1979 6 lug rear end ?????? Cheers __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

11-08-2004, 10:11 PM	#3
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Sweet info Thanks ! I went ahead a bought a 79 C-20 It did have the 14 bolt!woohoo Now I have a 78 C-20 that I'm going to part out! I'll show so pics in a new thread! Cheers __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

11-08-2004, 10:49 PM	#4
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	The 12 bolt has a 8.875" ring gear, 10 bolt is 8.5" If your using it on the street then I would use a 12 bolt, 14 bolts are VERY heavy, but if your going to need a heavy rear axle for towing or big tires and off-roading then the 14 bolt is the best choice, if its a street truck 12 bolt is better for that purpose. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

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11-05-2004, 06:29 PM	#2
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	the 8 lug will be a 14 bolt Full floater, since its a pre 80s 8 lug. should be identified by 8 bolts on the hub, as well as the 8 lug nuts. by far superior to anything offered with 6 lugs. the 14FF is considered almost bulletproof, and will stand up to 44"+ tires and heavy wheeling with ease. i personally run them in two of my trucks, as well as my family has run them in plow trucks and tow rigs for years. never a problem out of them. the 14FF is likely to have 4.10 gears, as they are the most common, but i have seen 3.73 and 4.56 axles. the other axle you mentioned is a 12 bolt, very similar to strength to the 10 bolt used from 82+. about 33" is max tire size for abuse, and the gears are commonly 3.08s, with other sets ranging from 2.73-3.73. pinion bearings are small, as well as a small (8.5") ring gear, compared to the 14FF's 10.5" ring gear. overall, i'd go with the 14.

11-08-2004, 11:00 PM	#5
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	10 bolt and 12 bolts are about the same in strength. what the 12 bolt adds in strength in some areas are lost in others.



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