Trying to ID a 3/4 ton front axle

[MrBeast]

Hey everyone, got this axle today, not sure what it is, It doesnt look quite like a Dana 44, the tubes are bigger, but it doesnt quite look like a dana 60. Anyone know what it is, it is out of a 77 Chevy 3/4 ton, the rear end is a 14B FF, and the T-case is a 203 mated to a TH350 4bbl original.

Going to possibly stuff this axle under my 72 Blazer to make it an 8 lug.

[msgross]

had to do it...sorry...

I know my 10 bolt has a 3" axle tube and most Dana44 have a 2.75" tube. Really need to see the diff cover though.

[Stocker]

Does this help? http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml

[jeffspower]

Sounds like a GM 8.5" 10 bolt. IIRC, '77 was the switchover year from the dana 44.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by msgross

had to do it...sorry...

I know my 10 bolt has a 3" axle tube and most Dana44 have a 2.75" tube. Really need to see the diff cover though.

I accidentialy double posted before putting in pics, here you go.





I am pretty sure it is a 10 bolt, I just wonder if it is worth the while to stuff it under my blazer, also if it is the right width, or if I will have to modify it.

Or if I should just immediately junk it because I don't want the headache. Myself and 10 bolt rears don't really play well together.

[jeffspower]

Yep, it's a 10 bolt. IMO, it's weaker torque- capacity wise than a 44, but stronger tough- truck wise due to the bigger tubes.

If all you are after is 8 lug, just swap the caliper brackets, calipers, hubs & rotors. It should all bolt right on. The 8 lug may have bigger pistons in the calipers, so different hoses, and maybe a master cylinder, may be needed. I ran into this on an '80 K20 axle once.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by jeffspower

Yep, it's a 10 bolt. IMO, it's weaker torque- capacity wise than a 44, but stronger tough- truck wise due to the bigger tubes.

If all you are after is 8 lug, just swap the caliper brackets, calipers, hubs & rotors. It should all bolt right on. The 8 lug may have bigger pistons in the calipers, so different hoses, and maybe a master cylinder, may be needed. I ran into this on an '80 K20 axle once.

If the ends will swap out, then I will just stuff em on, that will make things easy enough. From what I can tell they only offered a 4.10 and a 4.56 in 77, so it will probably be a 4.10. I think my blazer has 3.73's

[msgross]

should be able to pull everything off from the spindles outward and swap.

[Blazer1970]

You will need to swap the spindles.

[70rs/ss]

Yeah the 3/4 and 1/2 dana 44's are the same except the spindle out. If the spindle out will swap onto the 1/2 dana 44, I'd do that if you want to abuse it? If just a driver with occasion off road, that 10 bolt will last, and the front axle is a bolt in deal, oh heck if you do this then you need to do a gear swap, nevermind, put the 10-bolt spindles onto the 1/2 ton 44 and you have the best of both.

[msgross]

that's what I meant,,,"from the spindles outward" to include them...

But to answer your question, yes, it will bolt right under our truck. Double check the spring widths. You sill have to use all the hardware off it though (U-bolts, top plates). If you are swapping the rear then you should check gear ratio's... best way is to pull the diff cover off and read the numbers on the large ring gear. Should have a stamping like 41:11 or 41 divided by 11 = 3.72727272 (repeating of course) or otherwise known as 3.73 ratio. I found that the banjo bolt on the brake lines is metric on those and the driveshaft is 1" inboard from the DANA44