Dana 70 Vs 14 bolt

[Kiel]

Well I can get a DANA 70 or a 4 bolt for the rear of my buggy for the same money. What are the pro and cons. They both have the same ring gear size, same diameter shafts but the 70 is 35 spline and the 14 bolt is 30. Plus the 70 is a 70 U which is very smooth compared to a normal 70 and not a boat nachor like a 14 bolt. What do you think?

 

[AINT SKEERED]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=517999

Lots of good points in there.

If you need deep gearing in the axles (ie 5.13+) you want a 70, if not you want a 14 bolt. Shave off a couple bolts and the ground clearance wont be an issue. Plus the 70u case is easier to dent.

 

[I Lean]

There are probably more options for lockers for the 70, if that's a concern to you. With a 14b you're pretty much limited to either a Detroit or spool. (or welded) If you're planning on using one of those options anyway, then take your pick.

I do like the smooth bottom on the 70u, the one under Olly's buggy was pretty nice that way.

Are they really dent-able?

 

[Kiel]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=517999

Lots of good points in there.

If you need deep gearing in the axles (ie 5.13+) you want a 70, if not you want a 14 bolt. Shave off a couple bolts and the ground clearance wont be an issue. Plus the 70u case is easier to dent.

I already read that thread- but I can't believe that it dented like he described. More pirate truth I believe

 

[AINT SKEERED]

I already read that thread- but I can't believe that it dented like he described. More pirate truth I believe

Maybe, maybe not. Its all in how you use it.

Pirate or no pirate I would run a 14.

 

[Kiel]

I think that story was like I have a friend whos brothers cousin broke 6- 14 bolts in one weekend

 

[Caleb]

I'd run a 70...especially a 70u. Given same diameter shafts but 35 vs. 30 the 35 spline shafts will be stronger (as long as they are the same material). Like Carl mentioned aftermarket is better for the 70. I don;t buy a guy denting an axle, atleast not with anything that wouldn't dent any other axle. Also, I've never really seen cast dent, it would generally crack before denting. I think that guy is full of it.

 

[I Lean]

One other thing that might be a factor for you, is that 14bolts don't seem to like being welded on as much as Dana housings. Depending on how you're intending on setting it up, that may play a part in your decision.

That's not to say you can't weld on a 14b casting, it'll just take more care and probably special rod or whatever, compared to a Dana housing that will work pretty well with just careful prep, pre/post heat, and a MIG.

 

[Kiel]

Thanks guys I'm pretty sure thats what Im gonna run, I probably pull it this weekend we will see

 

[Shawn]

I say 14 bolt only because I have ran one for years. Years ago when I asked Eric at six states about the difference, he said the carrier bearing caps w ere a little smaller or thinner (can't remember), other than that they were almost identical. 14 bolts are every where, not that you would need parts for them, but I like the idea of knowing I can get a 14 bolt any time and at almost any junk yard.

 

[Kiel]

true I know spares will be a little harder to find, but I see 70's all the time- just not as much as 14 bolts

 

[Meat_]

That pocket bearing on the 14b pinion makes it teh win for me. Even a Dana 80 doesn't have one of those

 

[spencurai]

That pocket bearing on the 14b pinion makes it teh win for me. Even a Dana 80 doesn't have one of those

Uhh ohh...I have to agree with meat on something...

But yeah that extra bearing on the 14B is a big thing in my book also, it helps dissuade deflection and gives you a more reliable contact pattern under the immense torque loads these axles see in the rock crawling realm. They really put a lot of thought into the 14B.

 

[Meat_]

...agree with meat...

 

[Crinco]

Yeah, I am biased, but there are other reasons to go 14B also. You have many more options for width too. Van width, duelly width and full width. And the 30 spline thing.... remember that the spline angle is different and therfore fewer splines, but I think very close in diameter at the splines for both axles. Yes there are fewer locker options, but without rear steer what do you need to unlock for any ways? Call six states and ask how many 14B shafts they have seen break.
The 14B is WAY EASY to set up gears in too! Also the bearings spin on the Dana 70(carrier bearings) and the tubes rotate on the 14B. Both are heavy. I don't know about disk brakes on the D-70 but the disks on a 14B are bolt on easy. You have to get rid of the yoke and go to a U-bolt yoke on the 14B or the rocks will chew up the bolts. (ask me how I know).
Either axle will do what you need and that's give you brute strength and full-float reliability. Really it's your call. I have a duelly width 14B set up for 4 link if you want to buy it. Disk brakes, BTF truss, set up for coil over, NEW YOKE*, 4.88 gears, Detriot locker, track of about 64", 8 lug of course. Oh, and shaved

 

[Crinco]

and there is that pinion bearing too that someone mentioned too......

 

[Kiel]

The other thing with the 70 is that they come with 35 spline shafts already so getting aftermarket shafts is easy. I think that you can get 14 bolt 4340 shafts also but I can't seem to find them. Oh yeah and the 70 comes with a pinion oiler. Does a 14 bolt have that

 

[thenag]

14 bolt.

detriot is $400 and pretty much a lunchbox locker.

even if you don't shave it and just grind the lip off it makes a huge diffrence in clearence.

gears are easier to set up

parts are really cheap and everywhere

disk brake kits are way cheap and easy (actually I think the 70 isn't to bad either) (btw a bronco owner weighed all the parts for the disk brake conversion and weighed all drum brake parts he pulled off and it was not much lighter to run disks)

come on what motor/tire are you going to run that you think you are going to break a 14 bolt?

i can't wait to install my 14 bolt

nathan

 

[Milner]

Both are good axles....My opinion tips to 14b for the pocket bearing....
The shock load has to go somewhere, and with a suspension that does not allow wrap (4 link/tractionbar/etc) it is ussually the pinion that deflects/climbs the ring gear....
The pocket bearing is one of the biggest reason you see so many 9" and Chrissman 10" axles in drag racing....shock load.

Realistically you will have a hard time breaking either!
The only 70 I have seen break was a guy that liked to jump his 70's F250 up double whammy Foot on the floor with a big block, 4 tires off the ground, gravity pulling it back, tires turning forward.....BOOOOOM
But it was replace with a 14b....I never heard how it held up

 

[Caleb]

yep, lots of options for aftermarket shafts for the 70. The only company I've heard of doing aftermarket shafts for the 14 (and I may be wrong) is Dutchman.