dana 44 vs. corp. 10 bolt front axles

[big10ratrod77]

so which axle is more perfered i have the 10 bolt in my 79 4x4 but would it be better to go with the dana 44? what are the max tire diamiters you can run with these axles without worrying bout snaping axles?

[csb#356]

I think the 10 bolt has slightly bigger axle shafts and differential but there both pretty much the same strength wise. As far as what size tires you could run. It depends on what you're going to be doing, how much power you have, and how much your rig weighs. Offroad I wouldn't want bigger than 35" tires on half ton axles. I've seen people who have run a lot bigger than that and I know that they will argue this and say its fine. I just wouldn't want to be in the woods with broken axle shafts. If you're just driving down the road I'd say go for gold, put whatever you want on there, they won't see enough stress to break.

[sethv]

My old K10 had a D44 on it, but the PO swapped it out for a GM 10 bolt and explained to me that they were better, and easier to find parts for "in case" something breaks.

[andrewmp6]

Yeah 35s and drive normal should be fine with it.I have broke a dana 44 in a jeep with 37s but i pushed it too hard off road is why it broke on me.

[big10ratrod77]

well im probly gonna just run 33's and eventuly im gonna build my 400 small block and add some lockers front and rear i want to use the truck for an everyday tow rig and for the stock 4x4 truck pulls we have around here and maby some mud slinging every once and a while. so it sounds like im best keeping my 10 bolt.

[andrewmp6]

If you break the 10 bolt go for a dana 60 that's how i would do it.

[space wrangler]

most of the parts are interchangeable between the 44 and 10. ...i'd run whatever was available or cheaper of the two.