71 front disk brake axle in a 70 K10

[pwdcougar]

A while back I posted about upgrading my 70 K10 to power disks instead of drums. I've found someone who has a 71 K10 disk brake axle for sale localish for $250. Is it a worthwhile swap? I've got to determine the axle ratio and if the 71 axle is junk or not.


Paul

[70']

Its worth it, atleast that's my opinion. That would be a direct bolt up. You would need to swap out your front brake lines, and your master cylinder to complete the swap.

[IronCanine]

100%. Do it....you'll be glad you did. Did the same to our '69. '71 was our donor too. Yes to break lines...prop valve too. And as you said, gears gotta match. But otherwise, an easy direct bolt up.

[kwmech]

1970 is already open knuckle, so if push comes to shove with the gear ratio, you can swap the knuckles out

[1970cstblazer]

From the Blazer section:

Originally Posted by ohboy321

The only parts that will bolt in on a 70 D44 would be from a 71. They increased the axle and u-joint size starting in 72.

Duckduckgo the BOM (bill of materials) for the D44 and you can see the axle part numbers are different between 71 to 72, while 70 to 71 are the same. Sorry I don't have a link for the BOM, but the info is out there.

My K10 has a 70 Blazer D44 front axle, and I hope to convert to disk some day.

[pwdcougar]

Thanks guys!

Now the seller isn't sure what year the axle is from!

Any links to how to identify the different years?

Paul

[pwdcougar]

Originally Posted by pwdcougar

Thanks guys!

Now the seller isn't sure what year the axle is from!

Any links to how to identify the different years?

Paul

This is the pic he sent.

[57taskforce]

If bet that is a 73+ setup based on the stabilizer mounting, it really doesn’t matter though it will bolt up just the same.

[dozerbill72]

Even if the ring and pinion are junk or a different ratio than yours it's still the cheapest way to get disks. You can use the knuckles, spindles and rotors off the donor axle and swap onto yours.

[IronCanine]

Also...if all else is good, but the ratio doesn't match, you could swap out your existing gear set into this axle.

[Jiggers72-GMC]

Great info guys, while we're talking about 1971 4x4 with disc brakes, who sells the dust shields for a 4x4 axle, thank you

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Jiggers72-GMC

Great info guys, while we're talking about 1971 4x4 with disc brakes, who sells the dust shields for a 4x4 axle, thank you

It seems those may have become hard to find. My dad had to repair the dust shields on his K20 last year because he couldn’t find new ones anywhere, online or even Napa.

[gmc684x4]

Lmc should have k10 dust sheilds
Any pic a parts locally to you ?
The nice k10 dust sheilds are steel

I agree with 57taskforce i think its a 73 up diff it will still bolt in place thought it may need one shock mount relocated i seem to think 73 up front diffs have one shock in front and one in back of the diff

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by gmc684x4

Lmc should have k10 dust sheilds
Any pic a parts locally to you ?
The nice k10 dust sheilds are steel

I agree with 57taskforce i think its a 73 up diff it will still bolt in place thought it may need one shock mount relocated i seem to think 73 up front diffs have one shock in front and one in back of the diff

The rears are like that, the front axles are not. Both shocks mount to the rear on the 73+ fronts just like 67-72.

[Jiggers72-GMC]

Great info on the brake dust shields guys, I'll check the local pick-a-part as well ....... I didn't think of that, rust is a huge problem up here.

[k29349]

You can even use the later model 10 bolts if you want. I think the 88 -91s have 30 spline axles on the 10 bolts. Earlier 10 bolts have 28. I'm pretty sure the later dana 44s use axle shafts with bigger u-joints. 10 bolts are easier to swap gears in also. If you want Dana, I would look for a late 70s model.

[IronCanine]

Later model dust shields will work as well. You might try Torque King...they may have some in stock. 71-72 had the two piece welded (caliper bracket + dust shield) and later versions were the one piece stamped version. Here are pics of both.

[Jiggers72-GMC]

IronCanine perfect info man, thanks so much for the pics.

[kwmech]

In the pic he sent you there is a chance that it could be a 10 bolt looking at the plate across the shock mount

[gmc684x4]

I have not looked at the 77 blazer set in the back 40 since I cut them out 7 years back
Thanks 57 for clearing that up been thinking of using them in my 72 for a quick 3.73 gear change not sure how I will like the 3.07 gears in my dads truck 4x4ing

[davischevy]

https://torqueking.com/product/55302...974-1979-jeep/