9.5SF Swap

[fasteddy]

Yeah, that's $1,200 for just the housing not the axle shafts, ring and pinion, posi unit, 3rd member, brakes, parking brake, or all of the shock and spring mounts. Shit gets expensive quick! I'm about $700in on my 14b for my Silverado and it needs another $2kish.

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It may be just the lighting but what color is that? It looks like an antique bronze?

And what's that under the sweatjacket? Maybe some secret nitrous plumbed high ram?

 

[Dantheman1540]

You might look at a G86, which is the limited slip differential. I've got one in my Suburban, and one in my Silverado; my daughter's Sierra Denali has a G80. The G86 is *much* smoother.

Those must be pretty rare, I certainly don't hear about them much which is also probably a good thing. I'll just wait until either the G80 blows, something else needs servicing or I come across a steal of a deal for a truetrac. The clutch-style Posis work fantastic but if I have the option to install something that won't wear out or need servicing I prefer to do that.

 

[Dantheman1540]

It may be just the lighting but what color is that? It looks like an antique bronze?

And what's that under the sweatjacket? Maybe some secret nitrous plumbed high ram?

I don't remember what he calls that color, its goldish if you put light directly on it, Looks nearly black with no light and some weird antique bronze/gold the rest of the time, something different. IDK whats under the jacket that's an old pic, I can kinda make out a long tape measure and thats the handle sticking up but idk could be something secret

 

[Dantheman1540]

Another bit of info I recently found on the NBS 2wd escalades that came with the elusive AXN 14bolt 9.5sf. Looks like they only offered the AXN in 2005 and 2006. According to LKQ it was not offered in 2004 or before so that narrows down some searching for anyone interested.

Also, It looks like they only came with 3.73s which is good because the NNBS AXN only came with 3.42s best I can tell. I haven't been able to identify if the NBS AXN comes with a G80 or other clutch style posi but here are some RPO sheets of AXN equipped NBSs maybe someone can decode them better than I. I know G80 is for the grenade locker but I do not remember what the code for the factory posi is, can't imagine they put a big axle in a 2wd and left it open.

 

[mattt]

So I have now seen another GMT800 14 bolt rear axle. It's in another 2wd 6.0 Escalade that recently showed up in my local LKQ yard. This one is still complete as of yesterday. Tempting to grab it for future use when my 330k miles 10 bolt dies, maybe after the 6.0 swap. I did confirm it's the right 3.73 ratio that my Tahoe has (GT4), but no G80 in it. It would run me about $350 to get it out the gate there, don't need it now, but may in the future if/when the factory 10 bolt rear gives up the ghost. What's anyone have to say, keep the 10 bolt, or swap in the 14 bolt? Any downside to changing to a 14 bolt?

So I've now seen a 14 bolt rear axle in a 2005 and 2006 Escalade 2wd w/ 6.0. I wonder if GM used it in 2004-earlier 2wd Esky's as well...time will tell.

Anyone seen this special edition on a 2005 Escalade before? I searched and came up with nothing. The lettering is on the driver's side of the rear hatch and appears to be factory. I can't find anthing on it though. "RCA" Hi-Fi Edition???? LOL!

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So kind of off topic in this thread, but this is the only place I posted this so here goes. I just stumbled onto what this special edition Escalade is. Apparently in 05-06 GM made a very limited run of a "Grammy edition" Escalade for self-important-celebrity use at the Grammys. One site I read, there was ~120 units produced that had a mesh grille, this badging, 20" wheels, and a few other doo dads. Anyway, I stumbled onto this tonight in a Craigslist ad for a "Grammy edition" Escalade. Searched that and sure enough came up with what it was. The one I saw is long gone now so there is at most only 119 "Grammy Edition" Escalades floating around out there. Figured I'd update in case anyone ever find this info and wonders about the badging.

 

[Tonyrodz]

So kind of off topic in this thread, but this is the only place I posted this so here goes. I just stumbled onto what this special edition Escalade is. Apparently in 05-06 GM made a very limited run of a "Grammy edition" Escalade for self-important-celebrity use at the Grammys. One site I read, there was ~120 units produced that had a mesh grille, this badging, 20" wheels, and a few other doo dads. Anyway, I stumbled onto this tonight in a Craigslist ad for a "Grammy edition" Escalade. Searched that and sure enough came up with what it was. The one I saw is long gone now so there is at most only 119 "Grammy Edition" Escalades floating around out there. Figured I'd update in case anyone ever find this info and wonders about the badging.View attachment 354981

Find it in a junkyard? Anymore pics? Find it in Ca? Never heard of it.

 

[mattt]

Find it in a junkyard? Anymore pics? Find it in Ca? Never heard of it.

Yes that is where it turned up. Crazy that 1 of 120 would end up there but it's now 1 less as that thing is long gone, crushed already. I only have the 2 pictures of the emblems that I posted in this thread. Yes in an Anaheim, CA pick your part. I hadn't heard about this either, until I saw this C/L ad(not my ad) on Sunday where it mentioned Grammy edition. I searched from there and found more info on the web about it. https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/whittier-2006-cadillac-escalade-esv/7404951050.html

 

[swathdiver]

Another bit of info I recently found on the NBS 2wd escalades that came with the elusive AXN 14bolt 9.5sf. Looks like they only offered the AXN in 2005 and 2006. According to LKQ it was not offered in 2004 or before so that narrows down some searching for anyone interested.

Also, It looks like they only came with 3.73s which is good because the NNBS AXN only came with 3.42s best I can tell. I haven't been able to identify if the NBS AXN comes with a G80 or other clutch style posi but here are some RPO sheets of AXN equipped NBSs maybe someone can decode them better than I. I know G80 is for the grenade locker but I do not remember what the code for the factory posi is, can't imagine they put a big axle in a 2wd and left it open.

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Not a one has a locker.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Not a one has a locker.

Not anyone has a locker? Except of course GMT900 options because mine is G80

 

[swathdiver]

Not anyone has a locker? Except of course GMT900 options because mine is G80

None of the ones you posted the RPO sheets for. I didn't pay attention to the VINs, were they all Chevrolets? At least on the 900s, all of the GMCs and Cadillacs came with G80 as standard and it was an option on many of the Chevrolet models and trim options.

 

[Dantheman1540]

None of the ones you posted the RPO sheets for. I didn't pay attention to the VINs, were they all Chevrolets? At least on the 900s, all of the GMCs and Cadillacs came with G80 as standard and it was an option on many of the Chevrolet models and trim options.

Ahh gotcha! Wasn’t sure if there is an RPO code for open diff or if it’s just void of any code at all that co firms open diff

 

[Dantheman1540]

For those looking to do this swap and interested in having factory 4.10 gears and a selectable electronic locker, I have the solution for you!

Hummer H2s came with an 8 lug version of the 9.5sf 14b AXN code axle, they all came with 4.10 gears and selectable lockers from the factory. The center section of the 8 lug hummer axle is the same as the 6 lug NNBS AXN axle therefore it would be a fairly simple swap to put the 4.10s and locker from the H2 axle into the AXN axle.

Why is this cool info? Well all the NNBS SUV axles came factory with 3.42 or 3.73 gear ratios and a G80 Automatic locking differential which has held up great for me but is not always predictable as it will sometimes not lock when you want it to. So if you want 4.10s it will cost you easily $220-$350 for parts and if you want something other than the G80 you're looking at $500-$900 so a minimum of $720 to get those items. An H2 axle with 4.10s and an E locker can be delivered for $450 or less saving you a good bit of money and having superior parts since factory gears are known to be quieter and stronger and a selectable locker is about as good as it gets especially for off-roading.

The only unknown part of this is what size hole you'd need to drill in the AXN housing to run the two small wires from the inside out for the E locker but I can measure mine if someone is interested.

 

[swathdiver]

For those looking to do this swap and interested in having factory 4.10 gears and a selectable electronic locker, I have the solution for you!

Hummer H2s came with an 8 lug version of the 9.5sf 14b AXN code axle, they all came with 4.10 gears and selectable lockers from the factory. The center section of the 8 lug hummer axle is the same as the 6 lug NNBS AXN axle therefore it would be a fairly simple swap to put the 4.10s and locker from the H2 axle into the AXN axle.

Why is this cool info? Well all the NNBS SUV axles came factory with 3.42 or 3.73 gear ratios and a G80 Automatic locking differential which has held up great for me but is not always predictable as it will sometimes not lock when you want it to. So if you want 4.10s it will cost you easily $220-$350 for parts and if you want something other than the G80 you're looking at $500-$900 so a minimum of $720 to get those items. An H2 axle with 4.10s and an E locker can be delivered for $450 or less saving you a good bit of money and having superior parts since factory gears are known to be quieter and stronger and a selectable locker is about as good as it gets especially for off-roading.

The only unknown part of this is what size hole you'd need to drill in the AXN housing to run the two small wires from the inside out for the E locker but I can measure mine if someone is interested.

I was wondering what you were up to! Awesome! Now, did you know that the 2022 ZR2 has a front E-locker as well? Are you going to be the first guy to put one in an 800? LOL

 

[Dantheman1540]

I was wondering what you were up to! Awesome! Now, did you know that the 2022 ZR2 has a front E-locker as well? Are you going to be the first guy to put one in an 800? LOL

Well I’m keeping the G80 in the Tahoe for now but, I plan to test the H2 locker in my RCSB although I’ll be swapping the entire axle as is into the truck. I won’t actually be completing this gear and carrier swap.

I had sorta planned to try and stick a 9.25ifs into the front now that I can do basic fab stuff. The H2 rear locker actually fits the 9.25 diff and is what they come with from the factory! Along with 4.10s which would make an H2 front diff perfect for my RCSB. I currently have no desire or reason to swap front diffs however because mine has less than 40k since a rebuild and I’ve never needed a front locker.

What is the ZR2 diff called? Got a link to someplace that explains its specs well? Do they come with 4.10s?

I just like to have backup plans in the back of my head so if the front diff blows up I’m not forced to put the same pos back in.

 

[swathdiver]

Well I’m keeping the G80 in the Tahoe for now but, I plan to test the H2 locker in my RCSB although I’ll be swapping the entire axle as is into the truck. I won’t actually be completing this gear and carrier swap.

I had sorta planned to try and stick a 9.25ifs into the front now that I can do basic fab stuff. The H2 rear locker actually fits the 9.25 diff and is what they come with from the factory! Along with 4.10s which would make an H2 front diff perfect for my RCSB. I currently have no desire or reason to swap front diffs however because mine has less than 40k since a rebuild and I’ve never needed a front locker.

What is the ZR2 diff called? Got a link to someplace that explains its specs well? Do they come with 4.10s?

I just like to have backup plans in the back of my head so if the front diff blows up I’m not forced to put the same pos back in.

Don't have any more information about it yet, just learned that it existed when they released the news about the ZR2.

I reckon GM came out with the front e-locker under political pressure from the automotive media, not that any majority of buyers actually needs it!

 

[Dantheman1540]

Don't have any more information about it yet, just learned that it existed when they released the news about the ZR2.

I reckon GM came out with the front e-locker under political pressure from the automotive media, not that any majority of buyers actually needs it!

I found that they only come with 2 gear options 3.23 and 3.42 which sucks but is understandable with the gearing in the 10speed

 

[randeez]

i hope this new 9.5incher will be enough to satisfy your rear end

 

[Dantheman1540]

i hope this new 9.5incher will be enough to satisfy your rear end

You’ve enjoyed the 9.5” in your rear for a long time so I think it will do

 

[OR VietVet]

i hope this new 9.5incher will be enough to satisfy your rear end

You’ve enjoyed the 9.5” in your rear for a long time so I think it will do

They both said "rear". Koool!

 

[Dantheman1540]

I don't remember what the WMS-WMS was for the AXN 14B but I just measured the H2 14b for someone so here is the H2 8Lug 9.5sf 14B WMS-WMS 70 1/2". Therefore your tires may stick out further than before due to the extra axle width.