Springs vs Blocks

[HotRodPC]

Hell yeah NRV, Muddy it up and confuse us all. I am starting to figure out, there is no Rhyme or Reason, just simply better take a tape measure with you if going to look at a used one out of the vehicle.

 

[burbdood]

just simply better take a tape measure with you if going to look at a used one out of the vehicle.

Survey Says!?!? #1 Answer

 

[bucket]

First, let me say I didn't read this whole thread but I did see something I wanted to clear up - the pumpkin ribbing.

The difference in ribbing between the housings in post #55 & 58 is a year model difference, not a K20 vs K30 thing. The housing with the extra ribbing (see post #58) is the updated housing GM started using in '88. Any 14 bolt FF from '87 or earlier is the smoother version (see post #55).

Just to muddy up the waters a little more, some folks think all '88+ 14 bolts with extra ribbing have slip off drums but that's not true - my original 91 V3500 had a ribbed housing but pinned drums. As best I can tell it depends on the original body style; square bodies get pinned drums and NBS trucks have slip ons.

Hope I was able to further confuse the subject.

Thank you! You went much further into detail than I even thought about doing. So to recap, square bodies with full floaters got pinned drums.

 

[HotRodPC]

Thank you! You went much further into detail than I even thought about doing. So to recap, square bodies with full floaters got pinned drums.

And only 4 ribs regardless of 1 ton, 3/4 ton or CUCV.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Just goes to show no matter how old you get you're never too old to learn. Sorry for the misinformation.

 

[bucket]

And only 4 ribs regardless of 1 ton, 3/4 ton or CUCV.

Not quite. The '88-'91 Burbs and crew cabs got the extra ribs in the housing, but it was just a year thing, not a 1ton-3/4 ton thing.

 

[HotRodPC]

Just goes to show no matter how old you get you're never too old to learn. Sorry for the misinformation.

That's the beauty of a good forum. And when I say GOOD forum, I refer to the members, since the members are the providers of the info. Over the years and years of parts and models, its tough for 1 person to know it all down to the fine details, and they could also be spreding misinformation they received too, but when you have level headed mature members, all of them can share what they think, or know, or was told, they have seen or have, and eventually between all of them, they'll get it ironed out one way or another. I have seen other forums, in this exact same situation, just a differant topic, and everyone is calling everyone stupid, you don't know ****, so shut the F up etc etc. You'll never get to the bottom of anything that way. So misinformation does happen at times, but so long as someone else can make the correction in a mature manner, then its all good.

 

[HotRodPC]

Not quite. The '88-'91 Burbs and crew cabs got the extra ribs in the housing, but it was just a year thing, not a 1ton-3/4 ton thing.

Yep true, forgot about the 88-91 SB Burbs. So the SB pick ups anyway. Well hell, Crew Cabs Pickups to 91 also. Although, ribs I am not so worried about, but its great to know for ID purposes though. I have faith in 14b FF out of a 73 3/4 ton pick up just like I would a 91 Crew Cab full floater. I'm not willing to go seek out a FF with more ribs because its stronger when the 4 rib unit is plenty strong enough for anything I'd be doing, even if a rock crawler buggy. I just wish GM woud have or could have considered making 14b FF for front axles too.

 

[bucket]

There doesn't seem to be a clear answer on exactly why those extra ribs are there. Some say it was to make the housing stronger, while some say GM switched to a cheaper material for the casting, making the extra ribs necessary to regain the lost strength.

 

[HotRodPC]

There doesn't seem to be a clear answer on exactly why those extra ribs are there. Some say it was to make the housing stronger, while some say GM switched to a cheaper material for the casting, making the extra ribs necessary to regain the lost strength.

Great thoughts. Wonder if maybe they did change the material to lighten it a bit, then beefed it up. Someone could alwasy weigh the 2. Nevertheless, is there such a thing as a weak 14b FF? I am thinking not.

 

[GreaseDog]

Just to muddy up the waters a little more, some folks think all '88+ 14 bolts with extra ribbing have slip off drums but that's not true - my original 91 V3500 had a ribbed housing but pinned drums. As best I can tell it depends on the original body style; square bodies get pinned drums and NBS trucks have slip ons.

Hope I was able to further confuse the subject.

my 94 K3500 had the ribs... and pinned drums.

 

[nvrenuf]

my 94 K3500 had the ribs... and pinned drums.

ahhhh... the plot thickens...

 

[bucket]

my 94 K3500 had the ribs... and pinned drums.

Just when we thought we had it all figured out, you go and do that

Maybe in the newer trucks it made a difference if it was 3/4 or 1ton, or maybe drw or srw. Are we even supposed to care about those trucks here? We like the older stuff here, lol.

 

[HotRodPC]

Just when we thought we had it all figured out, you go and do that

Maybe in the newer trucks it made a difference if it was 3/4 or 1ton, or maybe drw or srw. Are we even supposed to care about those trucks here? We like the older stuff here, lol.

We only care if by chance those newer parts will fit our SB's. Then of course, they can be made to fit too. We'll let him slide this time, and be thankful for the input.

 

[85k10383]

Lets also not forget that sometimes what happens on the assembly line defies all logic and common sense. If Norm at assembly station B got the wrong pallet of rear axles on Friday at 4:30 there may be seventy trucks out there with totally off the wall specs LOL