71 K10 6 Lug Hub Spec Question

[2B32]

Based on what I've been able to learn the front axle on my 71 K10 is a dana 44 (casting # C-31256), 6 lug, small bearing hub. The inner diameter of the inner bearing is 3 1/4" inside lip to inside lip. The local junkyard has a 6 lug hub from a 75 they say has an inner bearing diameter of 3 1/4" inside lip to inside lip that will fit. Since the inner bearings determine if it's small/big bearing and the replacements have the same diameter, shouldn't they be a direct fit replacement? Does anyone know if the 75 replacement hubs will work?

[kwmech]

Yes, and yes. Looked like in the other forum you were replacing the bearings. As long as they are the 603049 inner you should be good to go.

[joeydurango]

Be sure to post back when you find out the answer for certain. When I was rebuilding the front axle in my '72 I had a heck of a time figuring out the hubs and spindles and finding replacements. Anything '73-up that I found didn't work, but as kwmech said, if the bearings are actually the same I can't think of a reason they shouldn't.

[kwmech]

The 603049 bearing is for the small spindle. The large spindle which is later model 1/2 and all 3/4 tons takes the 104949 inner bearing. Unless the large spindle hub has the bolt-on locking hub which takes a 362 bearing. All of them take the 501349 outer. All of them take the same seal except the early 1st design 3/4 ton (with previously mentioned 362 bearing) take the 25077 seal. There are really only 2 different spindles small and large inner bearing