1961 factory 4x4 disc brake front end?

[rustyrexiusrodz]

i just bought a 1961 factory 4x4 suburban. i was pulling the front end off to switch it to later disc brake front end with ball joints and discovered that it apears to have factory disc brakes? any thoughts.

[RANDY COX]

Hmm didn't think they came out with discs til 71 or 72 But maybe someone has already modified it with that type of front end, but anywho hope it all works out with ya. Can we see more pixs of your Burb..

[rustyrexiusrodz]

^ thats what i thought no disc brake until 70-71. that's whats wierd it doesn't look like it has been messed with?

[padresag]

that would be an interesting item , to see how it was adapted up
ron

[lha1992]

What kinda axle is on the front? D44?

[1963c-10]

Those 4wd hub caps are hard to find......

[JPBrecheisen]

My guess is somebody modified it at some point like they did with mine.

That axle should have a 22137x spindle on it. The later spindles will bolt right up when changing to disc, but the bronze bushing that is supposed to support the outer axle stub boss has the wrong I.D. The outter stub will not fit. If the spindles are a 7XXXXX series number, and has a needle bearing in place of the bronze bushing, its later model stuff somebody made fit. It can be done, but it takes some engineering. The fill plug on the back of the knuckle housing also has to be changed to a female type vs. the stock male type to clear the brake caliper.

There are a few threads on putting disk brakes on the closed knuckle 44-5Fs. Mine was set up that way when I got it, but I decided to go back to orginal drums.

You could have a "one-off" item there, but chances are, somebody just updated it at some point. The locking hubs are a later version also.

Jonathon

[sodly]

Sounds like a cool rig. Care to share any more of it with us?

[63burban4x4]

Do you have any info on the original owner or use of the truck? Like maybe military or forest service, line construction, serious passenger hauling, something like that? could have been special built or modified before delivery?

[MikeS.]

Very interesting...

[Captainfab]

I'm doubtful of that being an original '61 Dana 44. If you pull the cover and look at the edge of the ring gear, it will have the part number, the tooth count of the ring and pinion and the date. That does look a lot like the closed knuckle Dana 44 with disc brakes that I have under a '69 K20 chassis. Most will say that, that differential never was made, but as far as I know it is original.

[JPBrecheisen]

I just noticed those straight back shock mounts.

That leads me to believe at least the housing is close to 61 vintage.

Mine was assembled in 62 and it has the straight shock mounts as well. Anything from 63 and on had the mount hole ears turned inwards.

Not sure if that means anything, but its just something I've noticed on the earlier 44s vs the later ones.

Jonathon