DANA 44 ID help needed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Americanrider · 06-08-2005, 11:14 PM

I'm going ahead with the Dana 44 swap in my 67 K20. Between drum brakes pulling to one side and a leaky knuckle seal I have had enough, also I'll be jumping into a higher gear range for better mileage. I came across a GM Dana 44 donor 8 lug axle for a resonable amount. The only problem is that the PO doesn't remember what year it came out of. After researching on the web I can't find any Spicer BOM numbers that match the ones on the axle. I've even called a few local shops and they called shops in Seattle.... so far Nuttin!

Every Spicer/DANA number listing of BOM [Bill of Material] numbers list only goes as far back as 1979. The Spicer website only goes back to '79 also. If anyone can help ID this I would be thankful, here are the clues:

It has a 4.09 ratio (no tag so I counted the teeth)
The BOM is 603676-1
Date code is 636 5AE
Stamped 44-F8 on the diff
Dust/gravel rotor sheilds are heavy duty (thicker than the 72 axle I have)
The spring pads are the same measurements as mine in the '67

I need to know what bearings & seals as well as a set of re-built calipers to get. I'm in a pinch because I've already sold my 4.55 gearset to board member Gyva over in Idaho. Here is a couple of pics of my donor axle.
Thanks in advance!

drink2mny · 06-09-2005, 12:22 AM

It doesn't look like it has a flat top knuckle on the right/pass side.. does it???
So I am guessing 71-71 or a 78-79 front..
I believe it would have a flat top if it was a '73-77 dana 44..

It looks like the cover has a fill port, so we are cetain it is not a GM 10 bolt..Right??

full foot notch · 06-09-2005, 12:51 AM

looks like you basic axle out of an 80s blazer or pickup

**kwmech** · 06-09-2005, 01:33 AM

Flat top knuckles 71-75 early 76.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 06-09-2005, 01:49 AM

Looks like mid to late 70's to me.
-Later

4bynut · 06-09-2005, 04:23 AM

Is it the same width as yours? The 73 and up axles are wider. Sorry I have no idea about the #'s. You might try pirate4x4.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/

Blazer1970 · 06-09-2005, 07:00 AM

603676

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year 1976
Make CHEVY
Model K20 3/4 & 1 Ton Pickup & Suburban & Panel Truck
DANA 44 STD FRONT AXLE - 30 SPLINE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(STANDARD-pinion) FRONT
Number of cover bolts: 10
Number of axle splines: 30
Diameter of ring gear: 8.5"
Number of ring gear bolts: 10
Pinion Shaft Diameter: 1.375"
Pinion Splines : 26

It has the big external style hubs, correct?

Americanrider · 06-10-2005, 01:28 AM

A shop from Seattle called me today, they are saying 1975. It's close enough to work with anyway I'll try parts for both years. Thanks to all.

Blazer1970 do you have access to some old books or something?

1971 Cheyenne · 06-10-2005, 04:57 PM

so 1 ton 4x4's in 1976 came with a dana 44 front?

Americanrider · 06-10-2005, 05:22 PM

I pretty sure this came from a 3/4 ton and from the feedback here as well as what the local shop told me this is either a 75 or 76 axle.

Blazer1970 · 06-10-2005, 05:50 PM

There was no 1 ton 4X4 in 1976. '77 was the first year.

06-08-2005, 11:14 PM	#1
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	DANA 44 ID help needed I'm going ahead with the Dana 44 swap in my 67 K20. Between drum brakes pulling to one side and a leaky knuckle seal I have had enough, also I'll be jumping into a higher gear range for better mileage. I came across a GM Dana 44 donor 8 lug axle for a resonable amount. The only problem is that the PO doesn't remember what year it came out of. After researching on the web I can't find any Spicer BOM numbers that match the ones on the axle. I've even called a few local shops and they called shops in Seattle.... so far Nuttin! Every Spicer/DANA number listing of BOM [Bill of Material] numbers list only goes as far back as 1979. The Spicer website only goes back to '79 also. If anyone can help ID this I would be thankful, here are the clues: It has a 4.09 ratio (no tag so I counted the teeth) The BOM is 603676-1 Date code is 636 5AE Stamped 44-F8 on the diff Dust/gravel rotor sheilds are heavy duty (thicker than the 72 axle I have) The spring pads are the same measurements as mine in the '67 I need to know what bearings & seals as well as a set of re-built calipers to get. I'm in a pinch because I've already sold my 4.55 gearset to board member Gyva over in Idaho. Here is a couple of pics of my donor axle. Thanks in advance! Attached Images

06-09-2005, 12:22 AM	#2
drink2mny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: spokane wa Posts: 2,189	It doesn't look like it has a flat top knuckle on the right/pass side.. does it??? So I am guessing 71-71 or a 78-79 front.. I believe it would have a flat top if it was a '73-77 dana 44.. It looks like the cover has a fill port, so we are cetain it is not a GM 10 bolt..Right?? __________________ Support The Board

06-09-2005, 01:49 AM	#5
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Looks like mid to late 70's to me. -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

06-09-2005, 04:23 AM	#6
4bynut Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Morrison, IL Posts: 793	Is it the same width as yours? The 73 and up axles are wider. Sorry I have no idea about the #'s. You might try pirate4x4. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/ __________________ 2007 Chevy 2500HD crew cab, 4x4, duramax w/Allison trans. 2001 Chevy ZR2 Ext. cab 4x4 (DD) 1967 Chevy SWB 4x4, BBC, Th400, NP205, 6" lift, and 35's (In Process) 1970 Chevy Blazer 4x4, BBC, TH400, NP241, 6" lift, and 38.5 boggers in front, 44 boggers on the rear ( mud racer project)

06-09-2005, 07:00 AM	#7
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	603676 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year 1976 Make CHEVY Model K20 3/4 & 1 Ton Pickup & Suburban & Panel Truck DANA 44 STD FRONT AXLE - 30 SPLINE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (STANDARD-pinion) FRONT Number of cover bolts: 10 Number of axle splines: 30 Diameter of ring gear: 8.5" Number of ring gear bolts: 10 Pinion Shaft Diameter: 1.375" Pinion Splines : 26 It has the big external style hubs, correct? __________________ Tim Last edited by Blazer1970; 06-09-2005 at 07:01 AM.

06-09-2005, 12:51 AM	#3
full foot notch Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central florida Posts: 3,223	looks like you basic axle out of an 80s blazer or pickup

06-09-2005, 01:33 AM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,679	Flat top knuckles 71-75 early 76.

06-10-2005, 01:28 AM	#8
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	A shop from Seattle called me today, they are saying 1975. It's close enough to work with anyway I'll try parts for both years. Thanks to all. Blazer1970 do you have access to some old books or something?

06-10-2005, 04:57 PM	#9
1971 Cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,480	so 1 ton 4x4's in 1976 came with a dana 44 front? __________________ Brian Pal 1971 Cheyenne 10 454/th400-Undergoing a full frame off resto. 1972 Chevy short/step 2wd, 350/th350 1983 M1009 CUCV Military K5 Blazer 1981 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 dually flatbed

06-10-2005, 05:22 PM	#10
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	I pretty sure this came from a 3/4 ton and from the feedback here as well as what the local shop told me this is either a 75 or 76 axle.

06-10-2005, 05:50 PM	#11
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	There was no 1 ton 4X4 in 1976. '77 was the first year. __________________ Tim



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