4x4 front axle swap, 67-86?

[1970BannerBlazer]

Can someone confirm that any 4x4 axle from 67-86 will swap onto a 1970?

Just found out my front axle is junk. Everything except the knuckles out and the housing needs to be replaced. Maybe even the housing. Figured I would look for a better shape entire axle vs rebuild the thing.

[Yukon Jack]

I can confirm that is correct information for 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton front axles. I swapped a 78 3/4 ton front axle in my 70 Blazer - it required some adapters to handle the brake line fittings if I remember correctly.

[Mike C]

69-91 will swap in. But 69 is closed knuckle and 70 is open knuckle but still drum brake. Somewhere around ‘79 the Dana 44 turned into an 8.5” 10 bolt, but either will work and are mostly equivalent in strength. Rumor is 88-91 have 30 spline inner axles same as Dana 44 but I can’t verify.

I swapped ‘86 10 bolt hubs and 8 lug brakes onto my original ‘72 Dana 44 housing and knuckles. On my kids Jimmy we swapped in a complete 8.5” 10 bolt. We also used a ‘79 TransAm limited slip in the front.

One interesting thing I found was the ‘86 Suburban outer stubs had two grooves for snap rings so either manual or auto hubs could be used. On the ‘84 in my kids truck, outers had only 1 groove so his original blue knobs wouldn’t work and we swapped in the ‘86 axles since I reused my Dana 44 axles when doing the hub/brake conversion.

[1970BannerBlazer]

Originally Posted by Mike C

One interesting thing I found was the ‘86 Suburban outer stubs had two grooves for snap rings so either manual or auto hubs could be used. On the ‘84 in my kids truck, outers had only 1 groove so his original blue knobs wouldn’t work and we swapped in the ‘86 axles since I reused my Dana 44 axles when doing the hub/brake conversion.

I found a complete axle out of an 85 Blazer for $450. It’s full time 4x4. My assumption is that I would just swap over my knuckles and manual hubs but what you are saying is that it might not accept my manual hubs? I really don’t like the look of the full time hubs.

I had already done a disk brake kit on my front. Which is why I was going to swap over the knuckles and hubs.

Secondly, the one I found is a 10 bolt and not a Dana 44 like I “have now”. I’m quoting because what I have now is junk. I’ll see if I can upload a pic later.

My other option is to rebuild my current front end. The parts and labor will probably be way more than the $450.

[Mike C]

In ‘85 it should be automatic locking hubs and not full time 4 wheel drive, full time disappeared after 1979 along with the np203 t-case.

Outers are same Dana 44 to 10 built as long as they are both big u-joint. But your original may not be. If you had to you can just buy new outer stubs that would work with manual hubs.

[1970BannerBlazer]

Found a front axle from a 86 K10. Looks like it will work. I’m going to try to swap my knuckles on with my hubs and disk kit.

Any advice on how to restore a used axle setup? It has surface rust and I want it looking good.

[MJN]

any axle from '71 and newer will already have disc brakes- there is no need to swap over your knuckles, hubs and brakes unless the axle you're buying is missing everything.

[1970BannerBlazer]

Originally Posted by MJN

any axle from '71 and newer will already have disc brakes- there is no need to swap over your knuckles, hubs and brakes unless the axle you're buying is missing everything.

Found a front axle from a 86 for $60. Missing the hubs and calipers. So, will have to swap it all anyway.