convert 14 bolt 8 lug to 6

[srt6]

So in the 90 ' s they have a "light duty" 14 bolt 6 lug. Do I have to buy one of these or can I make a 6 lug 14 bolt out of a 80 ' s semi floater? Thanks for any information!

[BigBlocksRule]

8-lug semi-floaters have the bigger brakes, just like a SRW full floater, so you'd need to swap everything (unless you're going with discs) to use the 6-lug axles. There are two different widths of semi-floaters. 4WD is about 3" wider and will give you wheel/tire fitment fits, make sure you get one from a 2WD vehicle.
I haven't seen any semi-floaters from the 80's, only the '88 - '98's.
Cheapest bet is to find a 6-lug semi-floater to start with. I bought one with 3.73's and G80 this weekend for $150.
And to call 'em "light duty" is selling them very short. I had the chance to measure axles on one of these and a full floater at the same time. The thinnest area of the full floater is SMALLER than the thinnest area of the semi-floater, meaning that if they're made of the same material, the semi-floating axle is actually stronger. I've never seen anyone break a semi-floating axle, those honkers are HUGE!

[srt6]

Yeah I agree. I probably should have put some context with that. I have a 1977 1/2 ton 4wd. I want the stronger rear axle but I just bought new tires so I don't wanna change plus 6 lug looks cleaner. Anyways looking to upgrade and I was looking into if I had to buy one or if I could create one.

They are labeled light duty but I agree by no means are they.

Thanks,
Joel

[BigBlocksRule]

Make sure the one you get is for a 4WD, otherwise your rearend will be narrower than the front...kinda like it is now. If you check junk/scrap/recycling yards, look for GT4 (3.73) or GT5 (4.10) ratio codes. G80 is factory gov-lock which is a much better piece in these rearends than the gov-bomb that's in the 10-bolt and is perfectly fine for daily driving, etc.. I will be using a factory G80 in my daily driver, but have a couple that are open so I can drop a locker into the factory carrier and not have to mess with setting everything up.
IMHO, this is the best rearend GM built for anything that doesn't need full floating.
As long as you get a 6-lug, backing plates, drums, everything fits, probably won't need anything other than relocating spring perches - IF you even have to do that. It's only the 10-lug that has the monster backing plates and drums.

[srt6]

I have 12 bolt rear and 44 front so I think it just about drops in. Thanks very much for the codes those will come in handy!

[BigBlocksRule]

Frame widths are different - GM had to "hourglass" the GMT400 frames to fit the fuel tanks inside the frame rails. They may be close enough at the mounting points to work - be sure to let us know what you find!

[D13]

Some military K5's were availabile with 6 lug 9.5" SF's. only application I have ever seen for anything ohter than 8 lug in a square. 90 454SS pickups used 5 bolt 9.5's but those are not bolt in to squares.