The newer 14 bolts fit fairly well.

[alosix]

I need to go get some pics of the clearances, but I swapped an 05 2500 14 bolt into the 725 over the weekend. Just barely enough clearance for the calipers on each side. Was a much easier swap than the original 14 bolt I had in there.

Pics to come.. at some point. Driving it from Sunnyvale, CA to Longmont CO next weekend

[maskale]

Why the swap to the newer one?

[glenn]

That will be a nice road trip in your 725. Are you moving or just a vacation? I have an 05 Chevy AAM 11.5 rearend that I have mocked up in one of my 715's and you are right about them fitting better than the older 14 bolts.

[alosix]

1.) Found it kinda cheap ($300)

2.) Easier to work with e-brake vs eldorado calipers.

3.) Doorman discontinued the studs that work well for a disc conversion on the older ones.

[Mikel]

Cool. How wide is it?

[alosix]

Just wide enough .. Pretty sure the old 14s were 67.5" wms to wms. This is a hair wider, but not a whole lot.

Yeah.. moving.. Escaping CA after almost 5 years.

[glenn]

Just wide enough .. Pretty sure the old 14s were 67.5" wms to wms. This is a hair wider, but not a whole lot.

Yeah.. moving.. Escaping CA after almost 5 years.

Congrats on the move. Nice you are driving it for this move instead of getting it shipped. I moved about a year and a half ago from CA after spending most of my life in the Humboldt County area. It sure isn't the golden state anymore.

[alosix]

Yeah.. as a computer geek I wanted to work in silicon valley for a bit. It was a good career experience, but just not a place I want to put down roots (or could afford to put down roots for that matter). Would have worked out better if I had moved out in my 20s instead of my 30s.

I got the truck shipped out here from MD because it just wasn't ready for driving very far. Its come a long way in the last 2 weeks (working heat, wipers going on tomorrow, trans finally shifting right). I figure 1200 miles should be a decent test. We'll have enough tools to rebuild it on the way if needed, but it should be ok.

05 hemi/545rfe/241 8 lug 5 link ram D44 and now a new 14bolt in the rear. The drivetrain has been pretty solid. Cooling was most of the worries but I think I got that sorted with a new radiator setup last summer.

[gonz]

Does anyone know what year the 14 bolt was made wider, or is there a materials number someone should look for? I think that would be really helpful! Thanks guys!

Alosix: let me know when you get to Colorado, I'm about an hour north of you. I'll IM you my cell if you need help.

[Swampthang]

Sounds like they are the same width as a 14 bolt van rear. IIRc, the new 14 bolts started when the body style changed in '99.