14 bolt semi-floater or full-floater

[ChevyKev]

...one will be a daily driver (and occasional offroad) which is the 1987 Chevy 1/2 ton. Currently has 10 bolts front and rear. I am planning 35's with locked rear and either locked or limited slip front. I want to swap out to Dana 44 front and 14 bolt rear. I find lots of 14 bolt semi-floaters, but not many full floaters. Will the semi-floater be fine for this truck?

I also think it'd be silly to swap out a 10-bolt for a d44, for strength issues alone. Now, if it's a gear swap, a bolt pattern swap, or someting else, okay. but the labor required outweighs the strength gain, IMHO.

I agree with Geoff on this - the strength of a 44 is at best minimally stronger than a 10 bolt. when you compare ring gear/pinion gear, axle thickness, etc... they are almost identical.

I actually have very little experience with a semi-float. I know that MSI has plenty of 14Bolt FF axles, but they also tend to think they are plated in gold rather than grease. However, for 35's, street use and mild off-roading, I'll agree with Mark and say the semi-float should work ok. I used to wheel with 35's on a 12 bolt axle and it held up ust fine, so a SF 14 should hold up just as well.

...I am also building a plow truck from a 1975 3/4 ton which has a Dana 44 front and 14 bolt full-floater rear. This truck will be used for plowing, towing, and might even get a sander in the bed. I am thinking I want to keep the full-floater in this one. Or would it be alright to put this full-floater in the 1/2 ton and install a semi-floater?

If you're towing, it'd be silly to pull out a FF. :nono:

Absolutely correct. with the abuse of plowing and the possible weght of a sander - leave that FF right where it is. I have plowed for many years with several different axles. the 14 FF is what you want.