My '66 K-10 is on the road again...

[Bad4wd]

I bought this truck in 2015. It was sitting under a oak tree for 30 years due to a
worn engine. I know they didn't put the 327 in the 4x4 but I did because that what was laying around.
I also put power str, brakes and change the gearing to 3.07
? did they really use springs for the frt. brake hoses...
Dave..

[aerotruk63]

Nice project truck.
Can you define springs for the front break hoses or give us a picture of them?

[dieseldude4bt]

Looks good.

[63burban]

Springs are over the hoses for protection and strength

[dodgiesdad]

Looks good, it must feel good to be driving it. I to would like a picture or description of the springs for the front brake hoses.

[TJ's Chevy]

Very nice!

[60-66]

Yes, the spring was used to hold the hose up out of the way of the suspension since its a bit long for suspension travel.

[Bad4wd]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Yes, the spring was used to hold the hose up out of the way of the suspension since its a bit long for suspension travel.

That answer my ? Thanks,
Dave...

[kippnidaho]

I am also working on a 66 k10. What gear ratio was in it before and do you have a tach to see what rims you are running at 60 mpg. I am thinking of changing my ratio also.

[jdl71]

I'm assuming the front is a closed knuckle dana 44f? Did you have any trouble finding ring and pinion sets for it? Truck looks awesome, BTW.

[DPowers]

Nice

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by jdl71

I'm assuming the front is a closed knuckle dana 44f? Did you have any trouble finding ring and pinion sets for it? Truck looks awesome, BTW.

I haven't gotten into mine yet ('62 K10), but my '62 Suburban had the optional Dana 44 rear end.

The Dana 44 is the most used, longest-running rear end in American automotive history. It came out in the early '50s in Studebakers and some other vehicles, and has been used in everything since from Checker cabs to Corvettes and Vipers, to new Jeeps and Ford Explorers.

When I rebuilt the Dana 44 in my Suburban, I bought a new take-out posi carrier from a Jeep guy (great source, since they want steeper gears), and then a new set of 3.42 factory Spicer gears for it.

There were a couple different axle spline counts for the Dana 44, and that's the only thing I needed to be sure of when I bought the posi unit. Mine was 30-spline.

I would imagine the front axle on my K10 will be the same process for getting it rebuilt.

-Brad

[Captainfab]

The gears are the same regardless of whether is is a closed knuckle or an open knuckle Dana 44.

Originally Posted by jdl71

I'm assuming the front is a closed knuckle dana 44f? Did you have any trouble finding ring and pinion sets for it? Truck looks awesome, BTW.

[Bad4wd]

Originally Posted by kippnidaho

I am also working on a 66 k10. What gear ratio was in it before and do you have a tach to see what rims you are running at 60 mpg. I am thinking of changing my ratio also.

It had 373, don't have a tach but would guest 3000@ 60mph with 29" tires.
Now, I'm passing everyone on the road & the cab is a lot quieter with the 307.

[RANDY COX]

Kool truck I like them Fo-By-Fo's...

[61K10]

the early closed knuckle axle carrier bearings have a smaller id than the later axles. can't remember the year change. the outside/dia of the bearing race is the same. found this out when i put my posi in.

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by 61K10

the early closed knuckle axle carrier bearings have a smaller id than the later axles. can't remember the year change. the outside/dia of the bearing race is the same. found this out when i put my posi in.

So you just have to be sure to get carrier bearings for year of the carrier, not the year of the housing, correct?

How about the pinion bearing and seals, any difference there?
Otherwise, I'm thinking just get the bearing and rebuild kit matched to the later carrier, rather than ordering the part number that fits the earlier housing.

-Brad

[Bad4wd]

Originally Posted by jdl71

I'm assuming the front is a closed knuckle dana 44f? Did you have any trouble finding ring and pinion sets for it? Truck looks awesome, BTW.

No, it's a open 44 from a '75 full time 4 w/d that the previous owner put on.
I replaced the hubs with manual Hubs. Also I replaced the spindles, hubs & rotors from a '84 chev. 10 bolt, because the 44 inners were very worn.
Dave...

[61K10]

brad54--I just got the rebuild kit that had the bigger bearings for my new posi. the pinion bearings were the same. It's funny that the early dana carrier had the same carrier bearings as my eaton Ho 32 which are the same as 55-64 car eaton.

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by 61K10

brad54--I just got the rebuild kit that had the bigger bearings for my new posi. the pinion bearings were the same. It's funny that the early dana carrier had the same carrier bearings as my eaton Ho 32 which are the same as 55-64 car eaton.

You can load Dana 44 30-spline spider gears into a '55-64 passenger car posi unit, and upgrade to 30-spline axles. (one of the stock axles was always a week link).

-Brad

[61K10]

my kit say's 68-on bad pic,but is say's 68 on. didn't know that about the spider gears. would love to find a posi for my eaton ho.

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by 61K10

my kit say's 68-on bad pic,but is say's 68 on. didn't know that about the spider gears. would love to find a posi for my eaton ho.

I've got a line on a GMC Dana 44 rear, with 3.55 posi in it.
Don't know if the gears are still serviceable, but the posi clutches are replaceable so I'm ahead of the game either way. So I'll have Dana 44s front and rear, until I upgrade down the road. But really, I don't anticipate doing any rock-crawling with the truck--trails, hunting in the mountains, etc. If the 44 breaks, I'll deal with it then.
But in the mean time, I'll have affordable Posi units front and rear, with gears that'll get me down the road with some mileage, if I have to replace the 3.55, I'll probably go 3.42, like I put in my Suburban. I have the 4spd OD in the 'Burban, and have one for the K10 as well. When I go off road with the K10, 4Lo will do everything I need with 3.42s or even 3.23s.

-Brad

[aotte1]

Very nice, to have it back on the road, sure lots of fun and looks.

On Dana 44 front axle, maybe the spindle inner bearing is larger on newer ones?
Kimble do you know f this is correct?

[61K10]

Yes there is a big inner bearing. Don't know if the later 44's had it or just the 10bolt. What year they changed?

[MikeN]

Can you share how you were able to make that air cleaner work on a modern carburetor? I thought that style air cleaner would only fit the old Rochester 4GC carb that has a smaller air horn diameter.

Love your truck, and that engine compartment turned out beautifully.