What thickness are the 14 bolt tubes?

Also, what are the differences (if any) between a "late model" and an "early model"? And what the hell does that mean anyway?

I found a cab and chassis 14 bolt (early 80s) with a spot on the tube that was rusty (I easily scraped the scale away)and worn down some. It is approximately 1.5 x2" and is located right under one of the corners of the lower spring/bolt plates (rear inside corner). It appears to be about 1/8" deep at its deepest point. So I was wondering the tube thickness, and would this even be a concern. Honestly, it looked like it could easily be fill welded, but should I just say fawk this one?

Opinions?

Oh, and the Detroit for the FF 14, I imagine since it goes in the stock carrier that it can be easily removed (like a lunchbox locker), without any gear set-up issues, for the snowy/icey winters here?

Thanks,

Charly

um..........anyone?

Well Charly if you insist. You can run that housing just like it is or weld it up. The tubes on my 14bolt cab & chassis are 1/2in. thick. If it is a true 1/8th in. deep then just clean it out really well and run a bead, let it cool, run a bead, let it cool. Remember not to get too carried away with the heat since that is one method to straiten tubes. You should be just fine though. If you have an open carrier I believe you can install and uninstall by pulling the axles and pull the carrier, then remove and reinstall side gears. Hope this answers your questions, and good luck.By the way my 14bolt is an '84.

Thanks for the response.

I thought of the welding idea, but I'm still looking for a definitive answer on the tube thickness, and more than one opion on this axle will be a good thing. No offense.

Also, I found a 76 c&c 14 bolt still under an old wrecker. The passenger side drum has what appears to be gear oil leaking from it, (not 100% sure, still have to pull the wheel and hub to see for sure). Otherwise the axle appears in good shape.

My question is:

Exactly how does the spindle attach to the tube/housing on a 14? Is there a way the axle could be leaking there? I'd guess that it couldn't be coming by the axleshaft itself, and leaking from the inner seal on the hub. Or could it? I don't have any real experience with FF rears, and these c&c rears aren't exactly plentiful around here so I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Charly

check it and make sure it is gear oil. it could be a leaking brake wheel cylinder. eiter way it is nothing to be too concerned about. if it is gear oil it is the inner seal for the wheel hub. just replace it. if it is the wheel cylinder it can be replaced to or swap a set of discs on it. i blew both of the stock wheelcylinders on my rear c&c 14bolt brake torqueing in my driveway. i just replaced them with discs this weekend. the swap cost me $200 for all new parts. as for the rust section don't worry about it. i have seen them just like you say. take a grinder to it to clean it up and if it looks like it needs it throw a couple of beads on it. how thick? i don't know because i havn't ever cut one but do you think a 14bolt would have thin tubes? nope! good luck:D

LOL.... I wouldn't have thought they came with straps on the yoke either, but they do.

Thanks.

the 14bolt straps don't seem to have the problems the dana axles do. the 14bolt yoke is deep and encases the u-joint caps more than the dana style yokes do so that proabably has something to do with it.

huh??? there is a problem with the straps on dana axles? i have a 44 in the back of my F-100 with the straps.