TOTW #1: Pig Shave - Building a 14 bolt that doesn't sacrifice ground clearance.

Paul Gagnon · 02-17-2003, 11:11 AM

Lets get a discussion going on shaving a 14 bolt for better ground clearance. All you guys who have done it let us see what you've got. If you've got questions lets hear them.

2Dogs · 02-17-2003, 11:18 AM

I want the cut/plated 14FF that was in the mags a few months back.

Shave the ring gear, cut the bottom of the pumpkin, weld plate across the bottom.

It would need a heavily modified cover to keep it from leaking with the small sealing surface....

sunshineoffroad · 02-17-2003, 11:26 AM

Shaving the pig on the 14 bolt is the best way to increase ground clearance by far (Aside from tire size) but how far does one have to go? Cutting the housing and shaving the ring gear is great for an extra inch or so, but that is a lot of work, and if the ring gear is damaged, you have to have it shaved again. When I get around to mine (College Sucks), I am just gonna shave the lip off of the bottom to get rid of the ditch digger impersonation in ruts. It is easy, cheap, retains the carrier strength without having to weld plate, sealing is retained, and the internals won't have to be machined again if they ever fail. Just my $.02. If anyone does have pics of a more involved shaving, I would love to see them posted up for sure!

Todd W · 02-17-2003, 07:08 PM

I shaved my 14b here are pics.
http://4x4help.com/axle/pics/shaved/14b/index.htm

Write-Up coming soon!

bgreen · 02-17-2003, 08:59 PM

I would like to know exactly what tooling guys are using to cut the ring gear. If your not grinding it, what grade of insert are you using, What RPM, ETC. I think a water jet would be the way to go, but I dont have access to one.

What Rod are you using to weld the plate on the bottom?
What temp are you pre-heating the housing to?
What are you using to insulate the housing for cool down?

Has anyone measured how much the housing distorts cause of shaving the diff? Ever heard of stress relief?
Who many shaved diffs are daily driven? and hows the bearing life?

bgreen · 02-17-2003, 09:00 PM

some what off topic, but directly related to modifying the 14 bolt: Has anyone ever tried to remove material from the diff housing to save weight?

FRIZZLEFRY · 02-17-2003, 09:27 PM

Heres mine.2 cuts with a sawzall and smoothed it out with a flap disc on my 4.5" grinder.I took as much off as I thought I could without getting into the bolt holes.

A shot from the back.

Todd W · 02-17-2003, 10:16 PM

Yep - I cut as much off to without getting into the bolt holes, I will take another pic tomorrow and measure how much I left between the bottom bolt and axle lip.. I can actually grind a lil more off... but haven't..

I used a 4.5" Grinder to do ALL my work I just didn't like the way the sawzall cut this stuff, after I used the cut-off wheel I ground it down so that it would slide over rocks and not even have a lip..

I also grinded my 14b Diff guard to match the axle too...

Pretty easy just took a while with the small grinder

Scout Dude · 02-18-2003, 12:13 PM

I have a friend who cut the bottom out, turned the ring gear down, and made a new cover that bolts to the back, bottom and the front pinion support. It is not welded onto the housing.

He says that it has ~1/4" more clearance than a D44. I have seen it and it does have a shiat load of clearance. I was thinking about having him do mine for my comp vehicle but I decided not to use a 14 bolt afterall.

BTW, the bottom cover is 1" plate machined with a groove for the ring gear to fit into. If I ever get back up to his place, I'll get pics.

HeyBeerMan · 02-18-2003, 01:51 PM

I cut and shaved mine. shaved the ring gear with a hand grinder. Welded in a 3/8" plate with gussets on the inside and remade the cover.

I can do all that but I'm too stupid to post pics!!! All I have is a yahoo pic account and I don't think they allow it. Can I send them to someone to post for me?

blake

AIRZUKI · 02-18-2003, 05:34 PM

here's a pic of my bro's shaved 14 bolt diff

pumpkinhead · 02-18-2003, 06:04 PM

Here's Mine:

Cut Housing using a skillsaw and finished it up with a mini grinder

pumpkinhead · 02-18-2003, 06:06 PM

Welded on the 1/2" plate. I had to put a 1/8" groove in it to clear the ring gear as I left the gear it's full thickness.

pumpkinhead · 02-18-2003, 06:09 PM

Cover done, drilled and tapped the bolt on the right. Housing ground and shaped.

pumpkinhead · 02-18-2003, 06:10 PM

Brakes:

pumpkinhead · 02-18-2003, 06:12 PM

Done Deal:

Ya, I know the 35 Boogers are too small, and this is a Chevy thread but

clc900 · 02-18-2003, 06:14 PM

[IMG]DSC00160.JPG[/IMG]

No idea if this will work but here is a pic of mine.

Todd W · 02-18-2003, 09:39 PM

pumpkinhead - That looks sweet! Eventually I want to get that done! But since I can't weld (no welder and haven't learned) I have to wait until I can afford to have a friend do it...

That is awesome looking though!!

2Dogs · 02-18-2003, 10:48 PM

More pics/links/comments from CK5.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showfla...t=1#Post668763

I still want one of the flat plate designs....

HeyBeerMan · 02-19-2003, 02:04 PM

Just for the record. I trimed my ring gear abut 3/8" with a 9" grinder. I took out the pinion. Left it set up on the carrier and in the housing. the second I touched it with the grinder. It started spinning. And depending on how you held the grinder, is how fast the ring gear spun. But trust me it could get going scary fast. It never heated up the gear. Then I took a 4" grinder with a 60 grit and beveled the edges. Been in use 1-1/2 years. I had it apart about 3 months ago and it looks perfect.

JeeperJake · 02-19-2003, 05:34 PM

i dont have any experience with this subject except what is on this BB, but i was wondering if people take into account their pinion angle when shaving(as in take a little more off the cover too), or if everyone just cuts it straight across like at 0 degree pinion angle???

- Jake

Scout Dude · 02-19-2003, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JeeperJake
i dont have any experience with this subject except what is on this BB, but i was wondering if people take into account their pinion angle when shaving(as in take a little more off the cover too), or if everyone just cuts it straight across like at 0 degree pinion angle???

- Jake

I cut the lip off of the bottom on mine at the angle that I needed(pinion is raised about 16º)...however, if you cut and plate the bottom and do so at a weird angle, you may not be able to get the carrier out. Make sure the opening is still large enough.

drunkmarine · 02-21-2003, 07:13 AM

do you guys think that the bottom of the axle is durable after yall do that? seems like if you hit a rock it might fawk it up.

82FB · 02-23-2003, 10:34 AM

I think 1/2 inch plate will be durable enough. My toyota housing has been drug over a ton of rocks, and it holds up fine. I think it is about 3/16 thick.

rustynuts · 04-16-2004, 02:11 PM

pretty sure 1/2" plate decently welded will work fine.

02-17-2003, 11:18 AM	#2
2Dogs Granite Guru Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4526 Location: Scotts Valley, Ca Posts: 560	I want the cut/plated 14FF that was in the mags a few months back. Shave the ring gear, cut the bottom of the pumpkin, weld plate across the bottom. It would need a heavily modified cover to keep it from leaking with the small sealing surface.... __________________ Dave 91 K5, 6" lift, 37" PJ DGs, 5.13 1 Ton axles, 10" PP Toys

02-17-2003, 11:26 AM	#3
sunshineoffroad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9610 Location: Escanaba, Mi. Posts: 180	Shaving the pig on the 14 bolt is the best way to increase ground clearance by far (Aside from tire size) but how far does one have to go? Cutting the housing and shaving the ring gear is great for an extra inch or so, but that is a lot of work, and if the ring gear is damaged, you have to have it shaved again. When I get around to mine (College Sucks), I am just gonna shave the lip off of the bottom to get rid of the ditch digger impersonation in ruts. It is easy, cheap, retains the carrier strength without having to weld plate, sealing is retained, and the internals won't have to be machined again if they ever fail. Just my $.02. If anyone does have pics of a more involved shaving, I would love to see them posted up for sure! __________________ Duct Tape is like the force, it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

02-17-2003, 07:08 PM	#4
Todd W Web Guy Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12429 Location: Georgetown start of the Rubicon Posts: 7,480 Blog Entries: 9	14b I shaved my 14b here are pics. http://4x4help.com/axle/pics/shaved/14b/index.htm Write-Up coming soon! __________________ My 4x4 Blog - ENCO Coupon Codes - Rockwell Parts Directory

02-17-2003, 08:59 PM	#5
bgreen Donkey Hunter Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9801 Location: Kenai Alaska Posts: 2,247	I would like to know exactly what tooling guys are using to cut the ring gear. If your not grinding it, what grade of insert are you using, What RPM, ETC. I think a water jet would be the way to go, but I dont have access to one. What Rod are you using to weld the plate on the bottom? What temp are you pre-heating the housing to? What are you using to insulate the housing for cool down? Has anyone measured how much the housing distorts cause of shaving the diff? Ever heard of stress relief? Who many shaved diffs are daily driven? and hows the bearing life? __________________ Planning a trip to Alaska? Want to see how Alaskans Wheel? www.alaska4x4network.com

02-17-2003, 09:00 PM	#6
bgreen Donkey Hunter Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9801 Location: Kenai Alaska Posts: 2,247	some what off topic, but directly related to modifying the 14 bolt: Has anyone ever tried to remove material from the diff housing to save weight? __________________ Planning a trip to Alaska? Want to see how Alaskans Wheel? www.alaska4x4network.com

02-17-2003, 11:11 AM	#1
Paul Gagnon Poseur SUV ® Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 610 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta eh? Posts: 9,119	TOTW #1: Pig Shave - Building a 14 bolt that doesn't sacrifice ground clearance. Lets get a discussion going on shaving a 14 bolt for better ground clearance. All you guys who have done it let us see what you've got. If you've got questions lets hear them. __________________ Paul Gagnon Sherwood Park, Alberta eh? "No Brain, No Pain" A page from my book.

02-17-2003, 09:27 PM	#7
FRIZZLEFRY Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 5691 Location: Fresno Posts: 606	Heres mine.2 cuts with a sawzall and smoothed it out with a flap disc on my 4.5" grinder.I took as much off as I thought I could without getting into the bolt holes. A shot from the back. __________________ The Woohoodilly- 69 FJ55-350/465/203/205,D60/ARB,D70/Detroit w/5.86s,42"IROKs on H1s Last edited by FRIZZLEFRY; 02-18-2003 at 08:36 AM.

02-17-2003, 10:16 PM	#8
Todd W Web Guy Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12429 Location: Georgetown start of the Rubicon Posts: 7,480 Blog Entries: 9	Yep - I cut as much off to without getting into the bolt holes, I will take another pic tomorrow and measure how much I left between the bottom bolt and axle lip.. I can actually grind a lil more off... but haven't.. I used a 4.5" Grinder to do ALL my work I just didn't like the way the sawzall cut this stuff, after I used the cut-off wheel I ground it down so that it would slide over rocks and not even have a lip.. I also grinded my 14b Diff guard to match the axle too... Pretty easy just took a while with the small grinder __________________ My 4x4 Blog - ENCO Coupon Codes - Rockwell Parts Directory

02-18-2003, 12:13 PM	#9
Scout Dude Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4001 Location: Citrus Heights, CA Posts: 3,866	I have a friend who cut the bottom out, turned the ring gear down, and made a new cover that bolts to the back, bottom and the front pinion support. It is not welded onto the housing. He says that it has ~1/4" more clearance than a D44. I have seen it and it does have a shiat load of clearance. I was thinking about having him do mine for my comp vehicle but I decided not to use a 14 bolt afterall. BTW, the bottom cover is 1" plate machined with a groove for the ring gear to fit into. If I ever get back up to his place, I'll get pics. __________________ Dysfunctional Rockcrawlers

02-18-2003, 01:51 PM	#10
HeyBeerMan Rock God Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4830 Location: Wickenburg Posts: 1,833	I cut and shaved mine. shaved the ring gear with a hand grinder. Welded in a 3/8" plate with gussets on the inside and remade the cover. I can do all that but I'm too stupid to post pics!!! All I have is a yahoo pic account and I don't think they allow it. Can I send them to someone to post for me? blake Last edited by HeyBeerMan; 02-18-2003 at 05:57 PM.

02-18-2003, 05:34 PM	#11
AIRZUKI Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Member # 2143 Location: ..in a shop literally " down by the riverrrr ! " Posts: 1,088	the full brazil here's a pic of my bro's shaved 14 bolt diff Attached Images __________________ Outlaw Last edited by AIRZUKI; 02-18-2003 at 05:35 PM.

02-18-2003, 06:04 PM	#12
pumpkinhead Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10049 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 113	Here's Mine: Cut Housing using a skillsaw and finished it up with a mini grinder __________________ Jimbo '57 CJ-5 With Some Junk

02-18-2003, 06:06 PM	#13
pumpkinhead Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10049 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 113	Welded on the 1/2" plate. I had to put a 1/8" groove in it to clear the ring gear as I left the gear it's full thickness. __________________ Jimbo '57 CJ-5 With Some Junk

02-18-2003, 06:09 PM	#14
pumpkinhead Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10049 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 113	Cover done, drilled and tapped the bolt on the right. Housing ground and shaped. __________________ Jimbo '57 CJ-5 With Some Junk

02-18-2003, 06:10 PM	#15
pumpkinhead Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10049 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 113	Brakes: __________________ Jimbo '57 CJ-5 With Some Junk

02-18-2003, 06:12 PM	#16
pumpkinhead Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10049 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 113	Done Deal: Ya, I know the 35 Boogers are too small, and this is a Chevy thread but __________________ Jimbo '57 CJ-5 With Some Junk Last edited by pumpkinhead; 02-18-2003 at 06:43 PM.

02-18-2003, 06:14 PM	#17
clc900 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4352 Location: Michigan Posts: 575	[IMG]DSC00160.JPG[/IMG] No idea if this will work but here is a pic of mine.

02-18-2003, 09:39 PM	#18
Todd W Web Guy Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12429 Location: Georgetown start of the Rubicon Posts: 7,480 Blog Entries: 9	pumpkinhead - That looks sweet! Eventually I want to get that done! But since I can't weld (no welder and haven't learned) I have to wait until I can afford to have a friend do it... That is awesome looking though!! __________________ My 4x4 Blog - ENCO Coupon Codes - Rockwell Parts Directory

02-18-2003, 10:48 PM	#19
2Dogs Granite Guru Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4526 Location: Scotts Valley, Ca Posts: 560	More pics/links/comments from CK5. http://coloradok5.com/forums/showfla...t=1#Post668763 I still want one of the flat plate designs.... __________________ Dave 91 K5, 6" lift, 37" PJ DGs, 5.13 1 Ton axles, 10" PP Toys

02-19-2003, 02:04 PM	#20
HeyBeerMan Rock God Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4830 Location: Wickenburg Posts: 1,833	Just for the record. I trimed my ring gear abut 3/8" with a 9" grinder. I took out the pinion. Left it set up on the carrier and in the housing. the second I touched it with the grinder. It started spinning. And depending on how you held the grinder, is how fast the ring gear spun. But trust me it could get going scary fast. It never heated up the gear. Then I took a 4" grinder with a 60 grit and beveled the edges. Been in use 1-1/2 years. I had it apart about 3 months ago and it looks perfect.

02-19-2003, 05:34 PM	#21
JeeperJake Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7871 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Posts: 316	i dont have any experience with this subject except what is on this BB, but i was wondering if people take into account their pinion angle when shaving(as in take a little more off the cover too), or if everyone just cuts it straight across like at 0 degree pinion angle??? - Jake

02-21-2003, 07:13 AM	#23
drunkmarine Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8703 Location: north richland hills TX Posts: 108	do you guys think that the bottom of the axle is durable after yall do that? seems like if you hit a rock it might fawk it up. __________________ "i had a cj5 with four wheel drive and Smokey's on my tail" boggers, 400hp, 1/2 ton axles, and beer. we can make it.

02-23-2003, 10:34 AM	#24
82FB Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 41 Location: Coarsegold, CA(Fresno) Posts: 3,092	I think 1/2 inch plate will be durable enough. My toyota housing has been drug over a ton of rocks, and it holds up fine. I think it is about 3/16 thick.

04-16-2004, 02:11 PM	#25
rustynuts Hello Govna Join Date: Mar 2004 Member # 28812 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,070	pretty sure 1/2" plate decently welded will work fine. __________________ Custom Fiberglass TJ Hoods For Sale http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthrea...5#post10494975 Fiberglass X Chassis Hoods For Sale http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...2#post10370022 *http://RustynutsFab.com/* X-Chassis 007 LS1 42's 4 Wheel Steer HP60's

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