The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-14-2018, 09:58 AM   #26
outfield
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 387
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Look for a 1971 to 1976 big hub Dana 44. These all use the same locking hubs as yours, and it is a direct bolt in. The only changes will be what I noted, brake master cylinder, proportioning value and brake lines.
If you watch for a while you can find good deals on these. The first thing you need to do is figure out your gear ratio. If you find one with the same ratio, your way ahead money wise. Pull the cover and do an inspection if it has been sitting, walk away if you see any rust.
Good luck.

Last edited by outfield; 03-14-2018 at 04:11 PM.
outfield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2018, 12:23 PM   #27
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Ok excellent, thanks for the info I will keep my eye out for a big hub axle. I know that my gear ratio is 4.57. That axle that I found for sale looks like it is the small hub, so I will keep looking. My truck has a brake booster and a master cylinder that was installed by the PO so I dont know very much about it but I dont think its original to the truck. I am assuming it may be out of a later model square body truck but Im really not sure. Ive attatched some pics of what I have, maybe someone can help identify these parts?
Attached Images
   
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2018, 12:36 PM   #28
outfield
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 387
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Yep, basically looks like mine. Mine had the booster added too. I'm still drum brakes front and rear too.
The Disc/Drum master has a larger reservoir for the front then the rear, and the brake proportioning valve looks similar, but is different. Do some more searching on the forum, there is a lot of good info. This is where I learned about it.
Attached Images
 
outfield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2018, 03:49 PM   #29
Mts67C10K20
Senior Member
 
Mts67C10K20's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Dowagiac Michigan
Posts: 202
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Just in case you decide to stick with an original axle and don't mind driving to Michigan
I have a set d44 and h052 w4:56 gears I'll be listing for sale next week

Both were driving and stopping when I removed them 3 weeks ago from my 67 k20 for an axle upgrade
Just an option
Good luck
Mts67C10K20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2018, 12:49 PM   #30
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by outfield View Post
Yep, basically looks like mine. Mine had the booster added too. I'm still drum brakes front and rear too.
The Disc/Drum master has a larger reservoir for the front then the rear, and the brake proportioning valve looks similar, but is different. Do some more searching on the forum, there is a lot of good info. This is where I learned about it.
Ok excellent thanks for the good info. I will continue to research and figure out exactly what I need and source the parts. That's half the fun of these old trucks is everything there is to learn about them!
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2018, 12:51 PM   #31
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mts67C10K20 View Post
Just in case you decide to stick with an original axle and don't mind driving to Michigan
I have a set d44 and h052 w4:56 gears I'll be listing for sale next week

Both were driving and stopping when I removed them 3 weeks ago from my 67 k20 for an axle upgrade
Just an option
Good luck
Thank you for the offer, however the more I think about it I am confident with my decision to replace my old axle with something a little better. I'm curious what you decided to swap into your K20?
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2018, 01:23 PM   #32
Mts67C10K20
Senior Member
 
Mts67C10K20's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Dowagiac Michigan
Posts: 202
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1968_K20_4x4 View Post
Thank you for the offer, however the more I think about it I am confident with my decision to replace my old axle with something a little better. I'm curious what you decided to swap into your K20?
I used a set from a 76 k20 donor d44-8f front and corp 14 rear, added disk to rear
Just installed front this past weekend it is a direct swap everything bolts up nice
Used the 76 steering linkage
Have fun
Good luck

Almost forgot the rear need to move spring pads inward 2.5inches total
And reposition shock mounts

Last edited by Mts67C10K20; 03-15-2018 at 01:27 PM. Reason: More info
Mts67C10K20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2018, 10:14 PM   #33
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Ok awesome thanks for that info. I posted an ad and found a guy a couple hours away who has a few trucks. He says he has a Dana 44 out of a '76 Military truck with the 4.57 gear I need. He also said he MAY even have a Dana 44 front and a matching Dana 60 rear out of a '72 GMC... both with a 4:10 gear! Awesome!! So as far as I know that would be a direct bolt on, front and rear, to my truck. Can someone confirm this for me please??

Either way it sounds like he is going to be able to help me out. He says he even might have the other brake parts I need to complete the job.
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2018, 09:50 AM   #34
outfield
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 387
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Yes, the 72 GMC axles would be a direct bolt in. Once again, if they have been sitting around, pull the diff covers and inspect for rust.

I'm changing out the 4.56 geared axles in my '69 K20 for 4.10 geared axles to help with highway RPM's and the disc brake upgrade up front.
outfield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2018, 10:14 AM   #35
Mts67C10K20
Senior Member
 
Mts67C10K20's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Dowagiac Michigan
Posts: 202
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Excellent find
If the inspection pans out the 72 stuff is perfect
Think you'll like the 4.10s endless your running tall tires
Don't forget the master old prop valve for the front disk
Good luck
Mts67C10K20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2018, 11:59 AM   #36
jeffahart
Senior Member
 
jeffahart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,880
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Agree with above. Plus my two cents.

I think the 4.10s are a good middle compromise for all around usage. But if you're set on a tire size for sand, mud or highway, now's the time to calculate for good gear/tire combo based on where you want the truck to perform best. For highway, I like the 4.10. You can still pull some weight up a hill, especially if you stay 31 or 29".

Here's another thing you can do after you put in the axles. You can borrow different tire sizes from buddies and stick them on the rear and run it and see if you like where the sweet spot is. Really takes the calculated theory out the decision before you buy tires... tires ain't cheap! Of course once you've owned the truck a while you'll be telling us!


j
__________________
White K20
jeffahart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2018, 01:07 PM   #37
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Ok so unfortunately the Dana 60 rear end is no longer available. But he does still have the other axle with the 4.57 gear in it. He says it is a full time axle... should I be concerned about excessive wear?

I'm currently running BFG 35s on my truck and I would like to stay with a 35in tire. What do you guys think about 4.10s with 35s? I don't really do any highway driving, mostly just around town and a little off road as well. I also haul a 6x10 cargo trailer occasionally. The more I think about it maybe I should just keep my 4.57 gear. I'm happy to cruise at 55 and my truck turns about 2700rpm (although I think my tach reads about 200 rpm high). The truck has a 307 and the sm465 trans

Thanks again for all the info guys I'm learning a lot here
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2018, 01:13 PM   #38
outfield
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 387
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

If you are happy with the HWY RPM's with 4.57 gears and 35's, and having the 307, you would be better off sticking with those gears.


I have a 350 with the SM465, I'm running 33's, that's why I'm going to the 4.10's
outfield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2018, 01:16 PM   #39
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by outfield View Post
If you are happy with the HWY RPM's with 4.57 gears and 35's, and having the 307, you would be better off sticking with those gears.


I have a 350 with the SM465, I'm running 33's, that's why I'm going to the 4.10's
Some day I would like to upgrade to a 327. What do you think of that? Would I still be happy with my gear?
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2018, 06:08 PM   #40
jeffahart
Senior Member
 
jeffahart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,880
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by outfield View Post
If you are happy with the HWY RPM's with 4.57 gears and 35's, and having the 307, you would be better off sticking with those gears.


I have a 350 with the SM465, I'm running 33's, that's why I'm going to the 4.10's
Great setup! It was my setup until the 4.56 came into play.

Quote:
Some day I would like to upgrade to a 327. What do you think of that? Would I still be happy with my gear?
I think if you go 350 you will like the setup even more.

I agree, if you like what your getting out of your current setup... why monkey with success?


j
__________________
White K20
jeffahart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2018, 09:26 PM   #41
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffahart View Post
Great setup! It was my setup until the 4.56 came into play.



I think if you go 350 you will like the setup even more.

I agree, if you like what your getting out of your current setup... why monkey with success?


j
You know I always thought that some day I would upgrade to a 327 just because that was what was available in 68. But you got me thinking about it... and now I'm thinking if I'm going to do an upgrade, why not go for the 350! For the same money I could have more power, and I was checking out crate motors on Jegs. It doesent get any easier than that! Buy a turn key motor and drop it in. Done deal!

For now I sealed up the crack in my diff and filled it with that corn head grease just in case. I ran the truck enough to make sure everything was coated nicely. No leaks yet, but I'll keep an eye on the grease in there, and I'm on the hunt for a nice Dana 44. Once I find one I'll swap it out, but I think I'll keep my rear axle and stick with my 4.57 gears.

Thanks again for all the help and great info to everyone who replied and helped me out. Very much appreciated!
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2018, 09:44 PM   #42
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Hey guys... So I'm back with some more questions. I've been looking around for a nice Dana 44 out of a 71 - 76 truck. I've found a few, but so far they're all with a 4.10 gear. I did find one with my gear ratio of 4.56, however it was from a 77 truck and had the smaller hubs. I want the big hub style so I can reuse my locking hubs i currently have on the truck. So my question is this: can you take off the hubs, spindles etc and install hubs and spindles from an earlier model of axle? Will it bolt right up? Are the axle shafts still the same? Or is this too much hassle and should I just wait to find exactly the axle I want

My next question is: my axle currently in the truck has the power-lok posi unit. I wanted to take that out and reuse it in whatever new axle I find. Can I do this without having to worry about the lashing of the gears? Or if I change the carrier will that throw everything else out of alignment?

Thanks
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 02:55 PM   #43
outfield
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 387
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Hi K68,

To use the 77 axle, and have big hubs, you will need to find a 1971 to 1976 bug hub axle to pull the bearing hubs and possibly the spindles off of. Then you could convert the 77 axle to big hubs. it may be more trouble then its worth, but that is up to you... The 77 axle shafts will be the same.
I believe you could use your Power-loc, but I would check with a gear guy to make sure. You would want a gear guy to do the swap, ge will need to set up the gears. this will cost a few bucks too.
outfield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2018, 03:43 PM   #44
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Thanks for the info... I was thinking if I found an axle with my proper gearing I wouldn't have to take it to a shop which would save me a few bucks. However if I want to reuse my powr-lok unit Ill have to take it in to a shop anyways. Im thinking what I may end up doing is going with the 4.10 axle I found, and completely rebuild it with a new ring and pinion in my 4.56 gear. Ill replace all the bearings and put new clutches in the powr-lok so everything is good to go. It will be expensive, but then it will be done and Ill never have to worry about it again. I know it will be an awesome upgrade for my truck, and I dont mind spending the money on the truck because I plan to keep it for a very long time.

The guy with this 4.10 axle says he also has a master cylinder and prop. valve out of a 1970 truck which was disk brakes and 4x4. Does anyone know if that will work?

Thanks again.. Ill update my progress as I go along
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2018, 04:30 PM   #45
outfield
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 387
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Since the master and prop valve were from a truck with the disc brake swap, yes, they will work.
outfield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2018, 05:57 PM   #46
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

My truck has power brakes, if I change out my master cylinder will my brake booster unit still work properly?
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2018, 08:58 PM   #47
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,760
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike16 View Post
so... just for clarification. you Never want to jack up the truck under the differential. and now you know why. under the spring pads one side or the other or both but never in the middle under the diff housing....

you can for the sake of argueing here on the board. but when you got to buy a new differential it makes sense. better to buy two floor jacks at 19 bucks each rather than a 500 dollar differential. Of course I could be wrong.
I wish you would have told me this 40 plus years and possibly as many as 40 trucks ago. I never knew this was a bad idea since I never had an issue what so ever from it. At this point I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt a thing. Just did this very thing today and it's always been how I jack up the right front. I go under the diff in the rear to jack the entire rear end up as well. To be honest, of all the people with 4wds I have known or talked to, including here, this is the very first cracked differential housing I've ever seen

I see an axle truss and I suspect this truck has done some hard wheelin'. Probably gotten air a time or two or smacked a rock or two. The truss ain't so pretty either
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2018, 11:52 AM   #48
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread and helped me along, I learned a lot and I really appreciate all the great info I received from everyone. Just a quick update... I went to a scrap yard and found an open knuckle Dana 44 in my gear ratio. I bought it and brought it home, however when I got it home I discovered the pinion gear was all chewed up (I had inspected it at the junk yard but the ring gear looked fine and I couldn't tell that the pinion was screwed) So I searched for a new gear set and ended up finding an axle out of another 68 K20 a guy had for sale locally. I bought it just for the gears and original locking hubs, but when I got it home I took it all apart and found it was in really good shape. I took both axles to a local shop and was going to have them swap out the gear set from the closed knuckle axle to the open. However they took a look at the open knuckle axle and figured it needed a total rebuild, and were quoting me $2600 to do it. I thought for a while and decided that I could take the good closed knuckle axle, bolt it in my truck and save myself a lot of money. Like I say, the axle was in great shape and there was nothing at all wrong with it. So that's what I decided to do for now, and I'm currently in the process of swaping it out. I still kept the junkyard axle, and someday I may go ahead and install that. But for now it was just way simpler and easier to put the good closed knuckle axle in the truck and run it that way, and I'm happy with that.

Thanks again for everyone who helped me out!
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...

Last edited by 1968_K20_4x4; 06-24-2018 at 11:57 AM.
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2018, 11:55 AM   #49
1968_K20_4x4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 191
Re: Dana 44 Front axle no oil?

Here's how I'm making out so far... old axle out and new one ready to go in
Attached Images
 
__________________
'68 Chevy K20
'72 Chevy K20 - Smokin' Ochre
'08 Mercury Grand Marquis - Daily driver/ Parts fetcher


Ohh uh, I didn't have time to fix everything...
1968_K20_4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:48 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com