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Old May 1, 2009 | 09:00 PM
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rear end question

What is, and how good is a 10.25 inch Sterling rear end?
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 12:55 AM
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I was told by others on here it is comparable to a Dana 70 or a Corperate 14 bolt chevy. As far as I know it was Fords 1 ton rear end in the 80's and up. Either dually or single rear versions. Correct me if I'm wrong fellas.
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 01:05 AM
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Pretty good.

I have a 4.10 limited slip in my F350.

The hubs stick much farther than a Dana 60 does. A good 3-4".
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 02:01 AM
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I can get one pretty cheap. Is it a worthy upgrade from the D60 I have in my Highboy now?
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 02:44 AM
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Unless there is something wrong with the D60 I would stick with it just for the after market parts avalible for it if you do end up breaking it you can beef it up there are lots of good parts out there not so much for the 10 1/4 Sterling. They are both good rears but I think they are really about equals one isn't better than the other.
-Johnboy
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 11:14 AM
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Good, thanks, I'll keep the $75 in my pocket.
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 01:15 PM
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Your current 60 has 30 spline axles, and the steriling has 1.5" 35 spline units.
The rear 60 and the stering are not equal.
Even with aftermarket parts the 60 cant fit 35 spline shafts through the stock spindles.
You will not be able to upgrade the shafts for $75 bucks.
The sterling is a worthy upgrade. AFtermarket following has come a long way since they were first introduced.
You can buy just about anything for them.
Very strong, and worthy of a swap. You wont find one under any of my rigs, I am a 14B fan, but they are still a strong axle.
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 01:51 PM
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I heard the 14 bolts are a good "replacable" axle. As theyre so strong factory and theyre a dime a dozen in junkyards. Is that pretty accurate?
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by hairyboxnoogle
I heard the 14 bolts are a good "replacable" axle. As theyre so strong factory and theyre a dime a dozen in junkyards. Is that pretty accurate?

we can actually elaborate.
The 14B ff is as strong as they come. They have better pinion support to prevent pinion deflection (this tears up conventional designs), an offset pinion which translates into better driveshaft angles, a shorter pinion which also aids the driveline angle situation, as well as added strength.
Easy to set up since they have no shims required for backlash. They use similar adjustable design much like the 9 inch ford.
Huge shafts that take a beating, I mean a real beating.
I have busted several dana 70 shafts as well as center sections and have barely damaged my 14B's. These things take a real beating!
Yes, they are dirt cheap too.
Aftermarket support is huge, and the cost for lockers is even dirt cheap.
These can also be found in salvage yards with factory detroits.
 
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Old May 4, 2009 | 09:02 AM
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From: Davison, Mi.
I should have waited

I was actually thinking of 75350 when I posted this question. And as usual I got the most informed answer from him.


And now, I sign up for unemployment. No unneccesary purchases for a while. But thanks for the info 75 f350, and I'll keep my eyes out for a 14b when I go back to work.
 

Last edited by peganit2; May 4, 2009 at 09:06 AM. Reason: addendum
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Old May 4, 2009 | 09:39 AM
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I dont want to discourage the use of a sterling, these are very capable axles.
Thanks for the kind words, and I hope that the job situation turns around for you. Fingers crossed.
If you have a sterling already, I would not hesitate to throw one in there. I just mentioned that I would not have one in my rig because if I had to go out and buy an axle, it would be a 14B again. I lke to keep my jumk interchangeable.
If I had a sterling already, I might consider it. It is a good axle.
 
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Old May 4, 2009 | 10:04 AM
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Your expertise, knowledge and skills are amazing and suit my areas of interest in these old beasts perfectly.

Thanks, I don't know how long I'll be off, but I will be going back to work. Since my layoff is related to the GM shutdown, it could be up to 9 weeks, but not likely. I'm skilled labor, we usually go back early.

The Sterling is probably gone or will be before I go back to work, that's all I was implying and if you're gonna change out the rear, you might as well get the best.
 
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