Price the parts, gears, bearings, drums, brake shoes seals....
Then decide which one you want to buy parts for later.
I would tend to think the GM 14 bolt, as it is easier for most folks to work on, to remove and replace gears mostly. Also I think you will find that gears and locker are reasonably cheap.
They say it is a strong axle, as strong or possibly stronger than a Dana 70.
A Dana 70HD uses the same ring and pinion as a normal 70. It uses larger carrier bearings (and a different carrier). The axle tubes, (4" OD) spindles, and hubs are supposed to be Dana 80 size. So a 70HD is essentially a 70 center with 80 outers.
That said, I have a Dana 70HD, and like it, and not so sure I would want the 14 bolt (but not sure why not either). My Dana has disc brakes which I like. I already have a new 3.54 gear set waiting to go in it, but the hold up is the new carrier price. I have to have a different one to make the jump to any gear set faster than the current 4.56. A normal open differential can be found new on ebay for a reasonable price, or used for a better price. But the ARB locking differential I want (of the only two choices for a 70HD) is around $800, more than I have spent on the entire axle and all parts combined thus far. In the end I'll have to buy one, but getting it more complete and legal will come first, while I continue to search for a good deal on a new or used one.
Grigg
Last edited by Grigg; 07/03/2008 9:55 PM.
