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.

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.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.