14 bolt question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

82ccshorty · 10-23-2012, 11:06 AM

How do you tell the difference in a full floater or semi floater?
Posted via Mobile Device

rs72z · 10-23-2012, 11:12 AM

Full floater has axles that bolt to the hub from the outside. Semi the axles go in like a 1/2 ton.
Posted via Mobile Device

Firebirdjones · 10-23-2012, 11:12 AM

A full floater that I'm aware of has a very distinctive hub where the axle flange actually bolts in from the outside, and the drum assembly rides on a set of bearings, hence a floating axle. Will also have an 8 lug setup and rather large drums. At least my 1 ton 14 bolt does.

I'm not totally familiar with the semi float 14 bolt but I believe it wouldn't have any of the features I listed above, smaller brakes/drums, and the axle actually rides on a bearing like a conventional rear and uses C-clips to retain it. The ones I've seen have also been 6 lug, but may not always be.

82ccshorty · 10-23-2012, 11:14 AM

Mines a 8 lug but i don't know if it's a c20 or 30. Anyway to tell that? It's In a crew cab but I think the PO said the rear end was out of a 3/4 suburban
Posted via Mobile Device

82ccshorty · 10-23-2012, 11:38 AM

so this would be a full right?

Firebirdjones · 10-23-2012, 11:39 AM

Yup.

riz · 10-23-2012, 11:47 AM

full floater = 8 lug
semi-floater = 5 or 6 lugs

You can find a 14 bolt semi- floater in the 454SS pickups.

RIZ

speedmachine · 10-23-2012, 11:53 AM

the semi floater 14 bolt [9.5"] 8 bolt is common in 80s suburbans and 3/4 pickups too. not all 8 lug are full floater. easiest way as said above is check the bolt on axles.. dead giveaway..

neat little video on full floaters

LiveLeak

Ski-me · 10-23-2012, 02:03 PM

First 2 - 14 bolt Full Float - 8 lugs Only

The full float also has a removable pinion (bolts at yoke), where as the semi-float does not.

Ski-me · 10-23-2012, 02:06 PM

Semi-Floats can be 6 lug or 8 lug....depending on truck.

Firebirdjones · 10-23-2012, 02:44 PM

Stop teasing me, I'm looking for a semi float 6 lug 14 bolt

Ski-me · 10-23-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Stop teasing me, I'm looking for a semi float 6 lug 14 bolt

I just finished painting mine.....maybe someday I'll be able to get it mounted under the Blazer!

riz · 10-23-2012, 06:41 PM

I want one for my K5 too. So hard to find around here. I'd love to get one and put 4:56 gears in both for my new 35's.

RIZ

DirtyLarry · 10-24-2012, 12:40 AM

Am I due any royalties for the use of my 8 lug 9.5" semi-floater picture

Glad it the pic came to good use.

86c20 · 10-24-2012, 04:13 AM

if i understand right the 3/4 tons are semi float and can be full float depending on year and the one tons are full float only. at lest thats how mine are. 3 one tons and 1 3/4 with the higher gvw

Ski-me · 10-24-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

Am I due any royalties for the use of my 8 lug 9.5" semi-floater picture

Glad it the pic came to good use.

Absolutely! Just sent an email to Google and tell them your picture is now being used on multiple sites! I'd say you should be able to name your price at that point!

Hoods69BadBowTie · 10-24-2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs72z

Full floater has axles that bolt to the hub from the outside. Semi the axles go in like a 1/2 ton.
Posted via Mobile Device

Yep that's most easy way I have learned to tell the difference! So glad my mud truck already had full floaters makes me so happy.

DirtyLarry · 10-24-2012, 05:08 PM

This might be the same video Speedmachine was trying to post. This is a great video explaining full-floating rear axles. The video is from 1936! The basic design is still the same today.

It floats

10-23-2012, 11:06 AM	#1
82ccshorty Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: charlotte, north carolina Posts: 950	14 bolt question How do you tell the difference in a full floater or semi floater? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1969 chevy camaro Z28 #matchin Factory 4wheel disc 1969 chevy cst10 big block overdrive 5/7 drop dog dishs 1997 gmc yukon 2 door 2 wheel drive project 4/5.5 22s 2004 gmc sierra dually 4/4 lowering daily driver

10-23-2012, 11:12 AM	#2
rs72z Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Emory TX Posts: 900	Re: 14 bolt question Full floater has axles that bolt to the hub from the outside. Semi the axles go in like a 1/2 ton. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ ___________________ 78 ccsb dually 5.3 4l60e http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=491551

10-23-2012, 11:12 AM	#3
Firebirdjones Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Prescott, Arizona Posts: 2,396	Re: 14 bolt question A full floater that I'm aware of has a very distinctive hub where the axle flange actually bolts in from the outside, and the drum assembly rides on a set of bearings, hence a floating axle. Will also have an 8 lug setup and rather large drums. At least my 1 ton 14 bolt does. I'm not totally familiar with the semi float 14 bolt but I believe it wouldn't have any of the features I listed above, smaller brakes/drums, and the axle actually rides on a bearing like a conventional rear and uses C-clips to retain it. The ones I've seen have also been 6 lug, but may not always be.

10-23-2012, 11:14 AM	#4
82ccshorty Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: charlotte, north carolina Posts: 950	Re: 14 bolt question Mines a 8 lug but i don't know if it's a c20 or 30. Anyway to tell that? It's In a crew cab but I think the PO said the rear end was out of a 3/4 suburban Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1969 chevy camaro Z28 #matchin Factory 4wheel disc 1969 chevy cst10 big block overdrive 5/7 drop dog dishs 1997 gmc yukon 2 door 2 wheel drive project 4/5.5 22s 2004 gmc sierra dually 4/4 lowering daily driver

10-23-2012, 11:38 AM	#5
82ccshorty Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: charlotte, north carolina Posts: 950	Re: 14 bolt question so this would be a full right? Attached Images __________________ 1969 chevy camaro Z28 #matchin Factory 4wheel disc 1969 chevy cst10 big block overdrive 5/7 drop dog dishs 1997 gmc yukon 2 door 2 wheel drive project 4/5.5 22s 2004 gmc sierra dually 4/4 lowering daily driver

10-23-2012, 11:39 AM	#6
Firebirdjones Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Prescott, Arizona Posts: 2,396	Re: 14 bolt question Yup.

10-23-2012, 11:47 AM	#7
riz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: hudson,wi Posts: 805	Re: 14 bolt question full floater = 8 lug semi-floater = 5 or 6 lugs You can find a 14 bolt semi- floater in the 454SS pickups. RIZ

10-23-2012, 02:03 PM	#9
Ski-me Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colo Springs, CO Posts: 870	Re: 14 bolt question First 2 - 14 bolt Full Float - 8 lugs Only The full float also has a removable pinion (bolts at yoke), where as the semi-float does not. Attached Images __________________ - Jeff 89' K5 Blazer, 2.5" lift, 35" tires 04' GMC Yukon XL, 3/4 ton, 8.1L Last edited by Ski-me; 10-23-2012 at 02:19 PM.

10-23-2012, 02:06 PM	#10
Ski-me Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colo Springs, CO Posts: 870	Re: 14 bolt question Semi-Floats can be 6 lug or 8 lug....depending on truck. Attached Images __________________ - Jeff 89' K5 Blazer, 2.5" lift, 35" tires 04' GMC Yukon XL, 3/4 ton, 8.1L Last edited by Ski-me; 10-23-2012 at 02:14 PM.

10-23-2012, 02:44 PM	#11
Firebirdjones Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Prescott, Arizona Posts: 2,396	Re: 14 bolt question Stop teasing me, I'm looking for a semi float 6 lug 14 bolt

10-23-2012, 06:41 PM	#13
riz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: hudson,wi Posts: 805	Re: 14 bolt question I want one for my K5 too. So hard to find around here. I'd love to get one and put 4:56 gears in both for my new 35's. RIZ

10-24-2012, 12:40 AM	#14
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: 14 bolt question Am I due any royalties for the use of my 8 lug 9.5" semi-floater picture Glad it the pic came to good use. __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

10-24-2012, 04:13 AM	#15
86c20 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: edgartown mass Posts: 852	Re: 14 bolt question if i understand right the 3/4 tons are semi float and can be full float depending on year and the one tons are full float only. at lest thats how mine are. 3 one tons and 1 3/4 with the higher gvw __________________ 1986 c20 "the hillbilly" 350 sm465 3.42gears 21mpg at 70mph 1985 k30 "the ice cream truck from hell" no rust az truck 197-8??? c30 "ramp truck" 454 1978 monte carlo 350 350th with 2.73 gears. no rust. sc car

10-24-2012, 05:08 PM	#18
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: 14 bolt question This might be the same video Speedmachine was trying to post. This is a great video explaining full-floating rear axles. The video is from 1936! The basic design is still the same today. It floats __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram



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