small and big bearing hubs
 

Question--can you replace dana 44 1973-76 1/2t small bearing spindles with big bearing spindles and hubs?

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

Yes, you will also need a 3/4 ton backing plate/caliper mount

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

kwmech--I thought you might know! thanks for posting. new parts are disappearing and the big bearing spindles and hubs can be found new. the small stuff is after market even avl.

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

the 3/4t backing plate have a bigger center hole?

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

1/2 ton will work too.

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

No, same hole, but the 3/4 ton rotors are larger in diameter than the 1/2. So you need the 3/4 ton plate so the caliper will sit on the rotor in the correct place. If you use the 1/2 mounting plate the caliper will rub on the rotor.

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

No it won't

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

I replaced the small bearing spindles on my 72 d44 with big bearing spindles from a 1977ish 1/2 ton. I used the spindles, rotor/hub assembly and caliper mount. Everything went right together. 1/2 ton 6 lug

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

Yeah, my bad, I get so used to people converting from 1/2 ton to 3/4 I associated with the big bearing. Same spindle on the 1/2 and 3/4 in the later years. So yes the same 1/2 ton backing plate, either small or large spindle

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

Just did this myself. Big bearing spindles on D44 under 1/2 ton truck. Still using stock 1/2 ton 6 lug rotors/ Calipers/ and everything else stock but the brains and seals- they are different.

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

Actually the seals and outer bearings are the same. The inner bearing changes from a 603049 to 104949. Depending on the year, there may be a difference on the back of the spindle.

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

Sorry to revive this thread


But I have a question and I can’t seem to find a definitive answer.

Background:

I have a 73 (small bearing hub) Dana 44 1/2 ton blazer. It has the V shaped caliper mounts.

I want to replace the hub/rotor/spindle assembly with the later model big bearing hub assembly, which I see in countless places is a direct swap.



My question:

Can I use the 73 calipers and V caliper mounts with the post 77 spindle/hub/rotor? Or will I have to source different backing plates to mount the calipers?

Thanks
Reid

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

Yes you can as long as it all stays 6 lug.

Re: small and big bearing hubs
 

Awesome! That makes my life easy!

Napa has new hub/rotor assemblies cheap. All I have to do is buy the plentiful large bearing spindles and new inter bearings

Thanks so much,,,happy thanksgiving!