What do you guys think about building up a 14 bolt with a conversion kit to make it esp/abs. Plus the 14 bolt is stronger than a d60, and after a shave/machining you can gain most of your ground clearance back. They are readily available at most any junkyard and cheap. Overall it doesn't seem like it should be be an out of the question task. I guess my question is what would be a good est. on the total project?

Im estimating
$200 Housing
$450 Detroit locker
$150 Master rebuild kit
$300 R&P
$200 Shave/Machining
$200 Brackets

$1500 total?

Does this seem right?

 

I found a nice 14 bolt out of a running rig and a kingpin 60 I think that's the route im going

 

Don't forget about wheel bolt pattern/wheel upgrade/spacer too.

 

200 Seems pretty cheap for the housing. I priced out a D60 front and Sterling 10.5 rear for 1200 for the pair...Mabe I was looking in the wrong place.

 

I guess the other question here is what are you looking at for axle width? Depending on what vehicle that 14 bolt is sourced out of, what your intended use is (how tight are the trails), and what the local fender coverage laws are, this may or may not be important.

And yes....you have a valid point. One look at the phyiscal size of a 14 bolts's R+P and shafts tells the story.

 

I would hunt down a srw version. Wms to Wms on the 14b is 67.5". While the d44 Wms to Wms is 65. So the rear axle would push the tires out about an 1-1.25" on each side.

 

What's your plan for tone rings?

 

For the hubs, I like the spyntech hubs, to convert to 5 lug and narrow the width by 2.25". So width should be .25" wider than stock? (Could be wrong). For the Tone ring I am looking toward the river raider kit. Mostly because I havent found another kit. Im still researching.
$400 hubs

 

Definitely a possibility, but be prepared for a lot of hidden costs from extras you probally didnt consider. The tone rings are huge PITA but you do have options to get the esp/bas/abs bullshit working. Where did you find brackets for $200? I got mine from Currie for about $400 + shipping for everything and they were the cheaper option available. Also, are you doing the work yourself? Cutting the old brackets, smoothing the axle, welding the new ones, setting the gears, installing the locker, setting up the brakes, getting 8 lug wheels, etc..... can extend the cost quite a bit. I'd be prepared to put out $2500 for a minimum. Just saying.

 

I would plan on making it a here and there project where i would do as much work as possible myself. I would be changing the hubs back to a 5 lug so i wouldn't need to change rims. The brackets were just a guess off the top of my head.