Depends on what you want in it. Most guys that have big tires and big horsepower run the 14 bolt out here in AZ, because they are cheap and plentiful. But the R&P is limited to 5.38. I run 5.86 in my D60/D60 now, so because of my choice of ratios, I am in the process of building a D70.

I think either one is pretty much strong enough for 42" stickies and a healthy V8.

You could also look at the Sterling 10.25 or 10.5 depending on what bolt pattern you want to run. 10.25 are 8 on 6.5, and 10.5 are 8 on 170mm, but they both actually use the same R&P. But then again, limited to 5.38 ratio.

 

How big do you actually plan on going tire wise? Do you actually need a 14 bolt or a d70? That's a lot of beef....

 

I have had several of each. The 14 bolt has 2 main downfalls in my book. 1) Its a plow in the woods and will hang you up everytime 2) when they are disc braked the seal dries out or something because they all leak. The 70 could be considered weaker because the pinion is the same as a 60 rear and it doesn't have the 3rd bearing on the pinion. That being said, I am with Lance and look at a 10.25. I run one in my crawler with 42's and a big block and she has never let me down. They have a wider case than a 14 bolt which means it should hold more load, and the other thing is that the drums come off instead of having to pull the whole axle shaft out for brake service. You should be able to get one for around 100 bucks too. I run one in all my rigs, cept the dually I am building...and its getting an 80.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. I plan in the future to run 37 or bigger and what to drop a small block chevy engine in it. Just want something that can handle the tires and the torque from the bigger motor. I know its a lot of axle but I rather spend the time and money getting a strong axle now and not having to worry about it or do it all over again down the road, just get it done right the first time. How big of a difference is there in ground clearenc between the two? You said the 14 is like a plow in the woods

 

ummm, I dunno off hand but it pissed me off so many times that I chucked it lol

 

lol alright, i'll take your word for it. Thanks again for the info!

 

If you are planning on "only running 37s", build a D60 or Sterling 10.25. The D70 and 14 bolt will piss you off to no end. I can slide over stuff with my 39s that friends with 14 bolts hang all over with the same tires. The Sterling has more clearance than the D70 and 14 bolt by quite a bit, almost like a D60.

If you plan on 39+s, then the D70 or 14 bolt would be OK. 42+s would be fine with any of the "big 3".