GM 14 Bolt Axle Buildup - 1,000-LB-Ft-Proof Axle

Yellow gear marking compound was spread on the ring gear to verify the gear contact pattern in three different locations.

The 14-bolt axle used drum brakes until the '99 model year, so the easiest way to convert these axles to rear disc brakes is to use a brake bracket kit from Offroad Design. The new steel bracket and spacer bolted on where the original brake drum backing plate attached and allowed us to mount '73 to '87 GM 1/2-ton or 3/4-ton front brake calipers and pads.

The Offroad Design kit works in conjunction with '73 to '87 GM 3/4-ton front brake rotors that are mounted to the original 14-bolt wheel hubs. The slotted brake rotors came from Off Road Unlimited.

With the rear wheel hubs and brakes in place, it was time to slide the original 11/2-inch 30-spline 14-bolt axleshafts back into the housing. Our original tin gaskets were damaged, so Off Road Unlimited used a thin coat of clear silicone to seal the axle flange to the wheel hub.

The final step was to bolt on a new Off Road Unlimited cast-aluminum differential cover and fill the housing with 51/2 pints of Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-140 gear lube. The beauty of the ARB Air Locker is that it requires no special additive, and there are no clutch packs to ever wear out.