front dana 44 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MAVIS · 12-16-2003, 06:43 PM

I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN ASKED BEFORE, BUT CAN'T FIND IT WHEN I SEARCH. I HAVE 1970 K10 I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YEAR FRONT AXLE WILL FIT SO I CAN RUN DISK BRAKE, NOT ALSO WHAT YEARS FIT BUT WHAT IS PREFERRED.

THANKS MAVIS
.

nu2-72 · 12-16-2003, 08:35 PM

Dana 44's were the same for many years. 71-72 are disc and dirrect bolt in.
73 and up are supposed to have straight axle shafts, not tapered, so they are stronger. Try 73 to 79. Pick one.
Anyone else have better info for him?

Destructo · 12-16-2003, 08:49 PM

73-87 all have the same thing except for the very minor difference of D44 and Corp 10bolt. some 79's also have corporate front ends, but theres not enough difference to matter. If you go with a 73-up front end then whichever you find a better deal on I say go for, their all the same.

**JIMs70GMC** · 12-16-2003, 09:35 PM

The only thing to concern yourself with would be getting the correct brake lines which change from standard to metric and the banjo fitting is slightly different between the 44 and 10 bolt.

1969 GMC · 12-17-2003, 01:11 AM

I have heard that the internals of the 10 bolt are not as strong as the dana 44.

also, you can upgrade to a dana 60 if you can find one. these come from '77-'91 K/30's and all of the military CUCV's except the blazer.

Destructo · 12-17-2003, 01:32 AM

Why in the world are D60's so expensive and hard to find? They came in all 73-88 1-ton trucks, I know theres tons of those out there.

1969 GMC · 12-18-2003, 01:54 AM

they started making the K/30 in '77 or '78, before that all one ton 4x4's were conversions. They ran all the way til '91 in the V-series one ton crewcabs. Plus, all the CUCV trucks.

I think the reason you don't see alot is because alot of the trucks are still being worked. And people grab up the dana 60's as soon as they hit the junkyards. jsut take a look at coloradoK5.com's forums, almost all the people there run dana 60 fronts.

I would like to run a dana 60 frontend eventually, but it would cost me the same to run a disk brake dana 44 with the lift I want. I'd like to lift 6", and crossover steering is highly recommended. doing crossover steering on a dana 44 is $$$. it's really cheap for the 60. so, I figure why not do it? more beef for around the same cost. and i get disks either way.

*1FaastC10* · 12-19-2003, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChevyGuyBC
i belive mine is out of a 80 my dana 44, is this okay? it seems to handle the 39s on anything except rocks but i haven't really tried those yet

got any pictures of your front diff? i've never seen a '44 in anything newer than '77

1969 GMC · 12-19-2003, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChevyGuyBC
I plan to snatch up a 60 or 70 as well. what exactly would be the best year for a 60 and where do i find a 70?

i belive mine is out of a 80 my dana 44, is this okay? it seems to handle the 39s on anything except rocks but i haven't really tried those yet

All years of dana 60 are good; if you try to shop for a certain year good luck because they are so hard to find.

Dana 70 front axles...hmm...I have only seen these under 3 things: old (like early 60's) W300 Power Wagons, some IHC 1 ton 4x4 pickups, and one in a newer 4x4 motorhome (based on a Ford E-350). Core charge for these axles is like $2k; IMO they are not worth it unless you can find one, and even then, sell it and buy 3 dana 60's.

I think if you do any hardcore offroading or mudding in some deep mud, then you will need a stronger front axle.

Milenko72276 · 12-19-2003, 07:42 AM

I wouldn't trade a 44 for a 70 front,70 fronts are the exact same as a 60 except for the ring gear.And good luck finding one with open knuckles,they are all that ball-in-socket junk.There are a few on e-bay though if you really wanted one.

Destructo · 12-19-2003, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChevyGuyBC
http://www3.telus.net/loudmalibu/Fil...v/DSC00056.JPG

buddy who i bought it off said it came out of a 80 3/4 ton but who knows..

So dana44 don't have a round higs head? That one looks kinda like the shape of my 12 bolt in the back.

drink2mny · 12-19-2003, 12:41 PM

I know I'm late in the game here. I own a 60 in front of my '86 with crossoversteering.
I could get pics if people want to se the difference.

I got to say not All 60's are good..
not sure what year but they changed them from a kingpin to a ball joint style somewhere near the 90's. I was told not as strong with the ball joints..

Destructo · 12-19-2003, 12:53 PM

Yeah, ball joints are for sure weaker than the king pins and would wear out faster with large tires.

So do Dana 44 axle housings not have a round cover like a regular ol 10 bolt?

drink2mny · 12-19-2003, 01:16 PM

Here is a link to show the difference

http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml

1969 GMC · 12-20-2003, 04:46 AM

it's a dana 44, look at this pic:

if it was a 10 bolt, it would have the little "ears" under the diff

DaHateTank · 12-20-2003, 06:23 PM

Anyone know, for sure, what year they changed to the larger steering U-joints?? ('73, I think???)

I have a '70 front end (with discs) and it has the smaller 1.0625 cap u-joints. The later model D44 I have has 1.1875" caps on the joints.
I checked an online parts supplier, but they listed the same joint for everything, and Im sure thats not right...

I would suggest that anyone swapping an axle steer clear of the early, small joint versions...

some prefer the 10 bolt over the small joint D44s

However, these early axles also seem to have the correct knuckles for the crossover steering setup...

I think you can swap knuckles??

-M

12-16-2003, 06:43 PM	#1
MAVIS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: DRAPER, UTAH Posts: 4	front dana 44 I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN ASKED BEFORE, BUT CAN'T FIND IT WHEN I SEARCH. I HAVE 1970 K10 I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YEAR FRONT AXLE WILL FIT SO I CAN RUN DISK BRAKE, NOT ALSO WHAT YEARS FIT BUT WHAT IS PREFERRED. THANKS MAVIS .

12-16-2003, 08:35 PM	#2
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	Dana 44's were the same for many years. 71-72 are disc and dirrect bolt in. 73 and up are supposed to have straight axle shafts, not tapered, so they are stronger. Try 73 to 79. Pick one. Anyone else have better info for him? __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

12-16-2003, 09:35 PM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	The only thing to concern yourself with would be getting the correct brake lines which change from standard to metric and the banjo fitting is slightly different between the 44 and 10 bolt. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

12-17-2003, 01:11 AM	#5
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	I have heard that the internals of the 10 bolt are not as strong as the dana 44. also, you can upgrade to a dana 60 if you can find one. these come from '77-'91 K/30's and all of the military CUCV's except the blazer. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

12-18-2003, 01:54 AM	#7
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	they started making the K/30 in '77 or '78, before that all one ton 4x4's were conversions. They ran all the way til '91 in the V-series one ton crewcabs. Plus, all the CUCV trucks. I think the reason you don't see alot is because alot of the trucks are still being worked. And people grab up the dana 60's as soon as they hit the junkyards. jsut take a look at coloradoK5.com's forums, almost all the people there run dana 60 fronts. I would like to run a dana 60 frontend eventually, but it would cost me the same to run a disk brake dana 44 with the lift I want. I'd like to lift 6", and crossover steering is highly recommended. doing crossover steering on a dana 44 is $$$. it's really cheap for the 60. so, I figure why not do it? more beef for around the same cost. and i get disks either way. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650 Last edited by 1969 GMC; 12-18-2003 at 01:57 AM.

12-16-2003, 08:49 PM	#3
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	73-87 all have the same thing except for the very minor difference of D44 and Corp 10bolt. some 79's also have corporate front ends, but theres not enough difference to matter. If you go with a 73-up front end then whichever you find a better deal on I say go for, their all the same.

12-17-2003, 01:32 AM	#6
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Why in the world are D60's so expensive and hard to find? They came in all 73-88 1-ton trucks, I know theres tons of those out there.

12-19-2003, 07:42 AM	#10
Milenko72276 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Richmond MO,USA Posts: 73	I wouldn't trade a 44 for a 70 front,70 fronts are the exact same as a 60 except for the ring gear.And good luck finding one with open knuckles,they are all that ball-in-socket junk.There are a few on e-bay though if you really wanted one. __________________ 72' Camper Special,454,th350,np205,4.56 locker,dana44 with spool,13" of lift and 44" boggers.soon to be 23" with rear disc brakes

12-19-2003, 12:41 PM	#12
drink2mny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: spokane wa Posts: 2,189	I know I'm late in the game here. I own a 60 in front of my '86 with crossoversteering. I could get pics if people want to se the difference. I got to say not All 60's are good.. not sure what year but they changed them from a kingpin to a ball joint style somewhere near the 90's. I was told not as strong with the ball joints.. __________________ Support The Board

12-19-2003, 12:53 PM	#13
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Yeah, ball joints are for sure weaker than the king pins and would wear out faster with large tires. So do Dana 44 axle housings not have a round cover like a regular ol 10 bolt?

12-19-2003, 01:16 PM	#14
drink2mny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: spokane wa Posts: 2,189	Here is a link to show the difference http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml __________________ Support The Board

12-20-2003, 04:46 AM	#15
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	it's a dana 44, look at this pic: if it was a 10 bolt, it would have the little "ears" under the diff __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

12-20-2003, 06:23 PM	#16
DaHateTank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 119	Anyone know, for sure, what year they changed to the larger steering U-joints?? ('73, I think???) I have a '70 front end (with discs) and it has the smaller 1.0625 cap u-joints. The later model D44 I have has 1.1875" caps on the joints. I checked an online parts supplier, but they listed the same joint for everything, and Im sure thats not right... I would suggest that anyone swapping an axle steer clear of the early, small joint versions... some prefer the 10 bolt over the small joint D44s However, these early axles also seem to have the correct knuckles for the crossover steering setup... I think you can swap knuckles?? -M



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