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Old 09-07-2002, 12:52 AM   #1
DaHateTank
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Thumbs up Tie Rod Question.

Anyone KNOW if the taper of the tie rod ends is the same, between early ('72 down) and later model trucks (specifically a '76 3/4 ton Dana 44)

They moved the tie rod, under the knuckle, so its reversed, but if it is the same, maybe I can use my original tie rod (new ends), instead of forking out $120 for a new forged tie rod, like the later trucks used...

If noone knows, I guess Ill have to tear the damn things apart, and order a new one for my Blazer, to make the comparison.

Worst case scenario, I think I can just swap my half ton knuckles, onto the 3/4 ton front. Is that correct??

any other tips?? Experiences?

thanks

-M
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Old 09-07-2002, 05:45 AM   #2
Pont
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Hmmm, good question. Honestly, I'm not sure but I would guess that the taper is the same. I'm using a 77 steering box and pitman arm and used my stock tie-rod off my draglink. Works perfect. And I'm using the stock tie rod (knuckle to knuckle) on a 80 Blazer Dana 44. Also works perfect. My stock parts all came from my 67.

As for the tie rods mounting to the knuckles, my stock closed knuckle Dana 44 tie rod ends mounted under as do the later open knuckle Dana 44 tie rod ends. Does that make sense?
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Old 09-08-2002, 10:32 AM   #3
Beast388
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Try comparing part numbers on sites like www.autozone.com or www.napaautoparts.com. You might find the ends that work on years before they went to the long expensive tie rod.
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Old 09-08-2002, 01:01 PM   #4
DaHateTank
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Yeah, the drag link parts are the same.

Pont, You're using a '77 box?? From what Ive read, the boxes are the same up thru '76. Did it bolt right in?? It would make sense, as it may be unlikely that they would change the box dimensions, from '76 to '77. Wonder what the difference is... I could swear that the boneyard told me thru '76 would fit, when I bought one for my first '72. Seeems that rebuilds, are '71-76 as well...

Interesting that your '67 knockles put the tie rod UNDER the knuckles. My stock '72 Blazer pieces mount on top. Then they went back to under for the '73 up trucks. They kept switching the taper on the knuckles. Perhaps they enjoyed changing their whole machining setup

I don't like the under the knuckle setup, as it puts the tie rod abou two inches closer to the ground, big rocks, logs, etc. Only problem is, Ill have to tear apart BOTH the axle on myt truck, and the 3/4 ton one, at the same time. That'll leave the Blazer outta comission for awhile. Not that it moves much anyway!!

Beast,

there's about ten different numbers for the tie rod ends. Ball joints and drag link ends are all the same.

Guess Ill be doing some measuring. I tore the 3/4 ton front apart some yesterday, should get it apart today. The steering arm, actually came off with just a few whacks from a small (2lb) hammer!!!!!

I could make a tie rod, with some DOM tubing, and heim joints, I 'spose... Hmmmmmm

Thansk for the answers, guys

-Marty
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Old 09-08-2002, 01:22 PM   #5
Pont
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DaHateTank,

Yep, it's a 77 box and it bolted up no problem. It is a 2wd box which I need to run for my crossover steering conversion. Far as I can tell, even the box from the 1980 Blazer (where I got my Dana 44) would have worked as well but the pressure hose fittings would have been different than the 74 pump I'm using, and I needed a 2wd box. Seems like everthing went to metric or o-ring style fittings in 1980. Aside from that, I think most parts interchange without much modifications. I also wish my tie-rod was on top of the knuckles. I may try to convert that some day, just for that added clearance you are talking about.
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Old 09-08-2002, 07:08 PM   #6
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DaHateTank,

Not to throw another monkey wrench into the mix but my buddy's 74 GMC K2500 has the tie rods on top. It is the 1 long/1 short set-up rather than the 2 short threaded tie rods.

If you've recently replaced the tie rod ends(it sounds like you have) then I would swap your stock Blazer knuckles onto the 8 lug D44. I would rather have the added clearance like you mentioned as well.

You may want to anyways if you ever go to crossover steering like Pont has. You'll need the flat top knuckes on the '72 to get machined for the steering arm if the later axle doesn't have them.
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Last edited by Beast388; 09-08-2002 at 07:13 PM.
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