Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

Hey guys, I am currently building up my 67' K10 with a Dana 44 closed knuckle front. I don't plan on doing any crazy wheeling with it, more of a hunting/woods truck when we move to Minnesota. I just picked up a divorced NP205 out of a International that I will be running with either a TKO600 or a TH400 2wd (haven't decided if I want to keep it manual or go auto). I currently have 33x12.50 BFG A/T's on the truck (it has 35x12.50 M/T's but sold them off). I am planning on running some 34x10.50 Swampers once we move. My question is, will the closed knuckle D44 work for what I want? Do they make upgraded axle shafts for the closed knuckle axle? I'm thinking of swapping some Superwinch hubs onto my axle, do the Blackbird disc brake kit, throw some new seals/grease in it and a ring/pinion upgrade and leave the front alone, possibly truss it. I'm also debating if I want to keep the 12 bolt rear and upgrade the axles with superior 30 spline units and a diff upgrade as well as ring/pinion. I don't have alot of experience with these axles. I ran the 2500 IFS front axle in my 98' with a built 8.5 10-bolt and never had any problems.

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

Personally, I would ditch the closed knuckle axle alltogether. It would be cheaper and easier to swap out the axle for an open knuckle disc brake axle, than to try and convert the closed knuckle unit.

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

If you were just going to "run it" as is, it might be ok....but I wouldn't waste the time/money to do anything as far as "up-grades". You would be way ahead to have a later model open knuckle unit that already has the disc brakes. Then your other up-grade money is better spent.

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

X3

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

True, just need to find a newer front axle in decent shape. I could just run the axle as-is, the front drums actually don't stop that bad lol. Stuff to think about, hhmmm

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

x4

I swapped an 82 disc 10-bolt into my 68... now I can do power steering, power disc brakes a lot easier...

If you want to go extreme then find a dana60 and 14bolt to swap into the rig... then upgrade those as needed.

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

X5
For the money you would spend on upgrades, you could have a later model disc front, and probably some cash to upgrade it left over. Better brakes, better turning radius, easy options for x-over or high steer...

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

I'm not too worried about cross-over or high-steer. I don't plan on lifting it any higher. I thought about the D60/14BFF, but I think it will be overkill for what I will use the truck for.

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

But for the money you are talking about spending on an extinct axle why not go dana60?

You could find a good dana44 for $100 or so but you need to match the gear ratio...then your done until something breaks...

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

The only extinct part really is the closed knuckle. The internal parts are pretty much the same correct? I agree it's probably smarter to find a newer open version with disc brakes. But I'll spend 100-200 on an axle with disc brakes and have to find a matching ratio or replace the ring/pinion anyways. Also, I would want to replace the rotors/calipers and pads on the new axle (200-300 there depending on where you get the parts). So honestly, to just purchase an axle with disc brakes would be near the same as just putting discs on mine. The blackbird kit is under $600 with rotors, calipers, etc. But on the newer axle I wouldn't have to move the shock mounts which I believe you have to do on the blackbird kits. Now if I could find a disc axle with new rotors etc for a good deal, now we are talking! It will be awhile before I do either, I don't want to mess with it until we move.

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

I agree that I would run what you got until you have issues...


I think you could find a nice 6 lug dana44 on Ebay or CL, they usually don't sell well cause of the weight and lack of shipping options.

I purchased a very nice dana44, flattop knuckle, dual stabilizer, good rotors and lockouts with raised steering arm for $125 on Ebay. All I had to do was add calipers ($40) and pads ($20) and run it...

There is one close to me for $50 on CL right now.. turn the rotors and replace calipers and run it..

Only issue is that your manual steering won't hook up to them easily... different drag links connecting the knuckle and box...

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

ya that was my other question. I'm not looking to add power steering to it actually (yes that sounds crazy, but it turns fine for me and I like driving it). I'm probably just going to fix up the drum's on it and drive it as is for awhile, probably won't replace it until i break something

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

There's a few other issues when you do look at PS.. the frame needs modified, or a spacer added..

Plan that with you axle swap in the future, figure $150-$250 minimum...

Re: Closed Knuckle opinions?
 

I don't plan on doing a PS swap. I'll just have to figure out the mounting for my manual steering arm