upgrading soon need advice - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mothertrucker424 · 02-13-2008, 12:29 PM

i plan on slowly doing 1/2 to 3/4 ton swap
my plans are find 8 lug d44 knuckles and a 14ff rear

what do i need for cross over since i plan to do this all in one shot

and what else will i need for this swap?
or
what is required for my upgrade to 3/4?
will my lift springs work too

and what is my limit on tires for wheeling these axles and weak links

p.s.-do i consider my truck a k10 or a k20 when i finish?

abebummy26 · 02-13-2008, 01:41 PM

find a dana 60 and call it a K30. Uh the spring perches need to be moved I do know that but I dont know if that is the front or the rear. I've heard 35s for dana 44s. I would seriously consider a dana 60 if you are already doing all that work. Yeah your springs will work.

89 crew · 02-13-2008, 01:54 PM

The head of center bolt will be different. Most likely all you will need to do is change the center bolts out. It may be necessary to drill the hole out a bit If the bolts won't fit.

earl87gta · 02-13-2008, 04:50 PM

If you get the rear from any thing other then a k30 you will need to move the spring perches unless you get the axles from a 71 to 72.
The front will be a bolt in swap but if the front you get is not a flat top knuckle 44 you will need to use the knuckle off the axle you have now. only other thing to change is break lines every thing else is the same it bolts write in.
The rear 14blt will handle any thing you throw at it but the 44 front I would say 35s or 36s is a tall a tire you want to go.
For the cross over you will need to have the passenger side flat top knuckle macined flat and drilled and tapped for the steering arm. you can get the steering arm for around $50 you ther eis a guy here in TN on ebay that you can send the knuckle to and he will do it all for you and send it back with the arm on it. he is as cheap as it gets but shipping may kill it for you.
next you will need a 2wd steering box any thing up to 87 will work I would try to get the pump and lines too so that way you dont have to worry about fitting diffrences i think they change in 73 but Im not sure 100%. after that you will need ether a pittmen arm from a ford a jeep or manual steering chevy from one of the 68 back manual boxes.
last you will need the new drag link to go from the pittmen arm to the passenger side steering arm .

68K20 x Drill · 02-13-2008, 06:38 PM

U bolts from or for a 3/4 ton in back.

mothertrucker424 · 02-13-2008, 09:28 PM

here is my list form what ya'll said so far

u-bolts
pass. flat knuckle/machined/and steering arm
brake lines/hoses
2wd gear box from up to 87 w/ pump and lines/hoses
drag link/pitman arm/ steering arm----were do i get these??

do i need to move springs?

what else do i need any one have a write up??

shelby987 · 02-14-2008, 04:21 AM

Speaking as someone who had a heck of a time getting everything to work properly just putting a whole d44 8 lug under my truck, I would say save some time and find a D60.....I seem to be able to find them for $500-$700 these days (now that I have no where to put it or install it). I would guess once it is all said and done you still won't be much safer running anything taller than a 35" tire.
I would have held out for the swap on my truck, had the brakes literally not fallen off, and I was in dire need of an axle

earl87gta · 02-14-2008, 04:29 AM

I got my pitmin arm of my 2wd manual steering box but you can also use one from a 70s ford truck or a jeep cherokee. for the drag link I got mine from shaker built .
No need to move the springs.
here is a great tech artical http://coloradok5.com/crossoversteering.shtml

mothertrucker424 · 02-14-2008, 11:45 AM

now what is required of a d60 other than the d60 of course or can i build a strong d44

earl87gta · 02-14-2008, 02:20 PM

for the cost of building a d44 you can buy a D60. A built 44 is not any stronger then a stock d60 and depending on what you do to it like if you use CNT joint you could surpass the price of a d60 quick. a d60 is easier to do crossover steering with the knuckle already has the holes drilled in it so all you have to do is bolt the steering arm on.

mothertrucker424 · 02-14-2008, 09:07 PM

what is reuired to bolt a d 60 in

earl87gta · 02-14-2008, 09:12 PM

it will bolt write in just make sure you get the plates for the ubolts with the D60 the d60 case is bigger so you will need those plated and new ubolys for the driver side the pasenger side uses studs and one ubolt in the diff . other then that same as the d44 just need new break lines.

earl87gta · 02-14-2008, 09:13 PM

you may want to up grade to a 3/4 ton booster and master to help handle the biger breaks. My burb is getting one in the next few weeks I just have to get the new gears in it and Im going to bolt every thing on. Ill take lots of pics. when I did my k5 I didnt take any.

mothertrucker424 · 02-15-2008, 12:13 PM

as soon as you take pictures send them my way

and what year d60 do i need and can i use any year 14ff? i am going hunting at the salvage yards this weekend i hope to drag something home

earl87gta · 02-15-2008, 11:56 PM

If you can score a set of axles from a k30 any year doesnt matter it will all be bolt in but you may find out its easier to get a d60 from a dullie if thats the case then you can get 14blt from any thing just have to move the spring mounts. I would just look for a k30 87 and older. you may also want to post a wanted add over on pirate 4x4 you may be able to get a set from some one. you could get one out of a dodge truck to just be sure its not a dana 61.

70rs/ss · 02-16-2008, 04:36 AM

I have a set of axles. 8-lug 44 and a 14 bolt rear, the only thing I had to do (done this swap once) was to move the spring perches in the rear. If you want a set of axles, LMK I'll make you a deal on these.

mothertrucker424 · 02-16-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earl87gta

a set of axles from a k30 any year doesnt matter it will all be bolt in

if thats the case then you can get 14blt from any thing just have to move the spring mounts. I would just look for a k30 87 and older.

you could get one out of a dodge truck to just be sure its not a dana 61.

so any year will bolt in and how will i know what a d61 is

earl87gta · 02-16-2008, 09:00 PM

the rear wont be a direct bolt in if its not from a k30 you will have to move the spring perches but every thing else should be ok. Fot the D61 doge I think on one of the ribs on the diff it will be stamped in it if you end up haveing to get one out of a doge just get the BOM number off the axle housing and post it here and we can run it to see what it is and what it came out of.

02-13-2008, 12:29 PM	#1
mothertrucker424 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: st pete Posts: 404	upgrading soon need advice i plan on slowly doing 1/2 to 3/4 ton swap my plans are find 8 lug d44 knuckles and a 14ff rear what do i need for cross over since i plan to do this all in one shot and what else will i need for this swap? or what is required for my upgrade to 3/4? will my lift springs work too and what is my limit on tires for wheeling these axles and weak links p.s.-do i consider my truck a k10 or a k20 when i finish? __________________ _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- 1972 K10 4"lift 33"tires (soon to be bigger and better) 2000 silverado 1500 2wd 2"coil spacers3" BL 285/75/16's

02-13-2008, 01:41 PM	#2
abebummy26 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Haven, MO Posts: 1,243	Re: upgrading soon need advice find a dana 60 and call it a K30. Uh the spring perches need to be moved I do know that but I dont know if that is the front or the rear. I've heard 35s for dana 44s. I would seriously consider a dana 60 if you are already doing all that work. Yeah your springs will work. __________________ -Lincoln 1987 GMC S15 (soon to be a chevy clone) 2.5l, 4 speed, no ps, no pb, no ac Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver. Spoken by Cletus the hillbilly I like stickers... a whole bunch. Last edited by abebummy26; 02-13-2008 at 01:42 PM.

02-13-2008, 01:54 PM	#3
89 crew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 865	Re: upgrading soon need advice The head of center bolt will be different. Most likely all you will need to do is change the center bolts out. It may be necessary to drill the hole out a bit If the bolts won't fit.

02-13-2008, 04:50 PM	#4
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: upgrading soon need advice If you get the rear from any thing other then a k30 you will need to move the spring perches unless you get the axles from a 71 to 72. The front will be a bolt in swap but if the front you get is not a flat top knuckle 44 you will need to use the knuckle off the axle you have now. only other thing to change is break lines every thing else is the same it bolts write in. The rear 14blt will handle any thing you throw at it but the 44 front I would say 35s or 36s is a tall a tire you want to go. For the cross over you will need to have the passenger side flat top knuckle macined flat and drilled and tapped for the steering arm. you can get the steering arm for around $50 you ther eis a guy here in TN on ebay that you can send the knuckle to and he will do it all for you and send it back with the arm on it. he is as cheap as it gets but shipping may kill it for you. next you will need a 2wd steering box any thing up to 87 will work I would try to get the pump and lines too so that way you dont have to worry about fitting diffrences i think they change in 73 but Im not sure 100%. after that you will need ether a pittmen arm from a ford a jeep or manual steering chevy from one of the 68 back manual boxes. last you will need the new drag link to go from the pittmen arm to the passenger side steering arm . __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

02-13-2008, 06:38 PM	#5
68K20 x Drill Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Freedom CA Posts: 488	Re: upgrading soon need advice U bolts from or for a 3/4 ton in back. __________________ 68 Chevrolet k20 Longbed 350 SM465/205, Dana 44, 14bolt, Power steering, Power Disk Brakes, 35" BFGs. 84 Chevrolet Suburban K20 6.2 Banks turbo TH400/NP208 Now with G80 68 GMC C20 Parts? Truck And a few cars

02-13-2008, 09:28 PM	#6
mothertrucker424 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: st pete Posts: 404	Re: upgrading soon need advice here is my list form what ya'll said so far u-bolts pass. flat knuckle/machined/and steering arm brake lines/hoses 2wd gear box from up to 87 w/ pump and lines/hoses drag link/pitman arm/ steering arm----were do i get these?? do i need to move springs? what else do i need any one have a write up?? __________________ _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- 1972 K10 4"lift 33"tires (soon to be bigger and better) 2000 silverado 1500 2wd 2"coil spacers3" BL 285/75/16's

02-14-2008, 04:21 AM	#7
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	Re: upgrading soon need advice Speaking as someone who had a heck of a time getting everything to work properly just putting a whole d44 8 lug under my truck, I would say save some time and find a D60.....I seem to be able to find them for $500-$700 these days (now that I have no where to put it or install it). I would guess once it is all said and done you still won't be much safer running anything taller than a 35" tire. I would have held out for the swap on my truck, had the brakes literally not fallen off, and I was in dire need of an axle __________________ 1969 SS 350 Camaro Sold 2008 1970 3/4T K20, stock height with 33's, 250 I6, 3 on the tree, and locked front and rear 4.10's 1980 Chevy Malibu 2 dr Sold 2007 1993 Olds. Cutlass Ciera Wagon Traded 2006 2003 Saturn L200 w/5pd. D/D My list spans 5 decades with One common thread.....GM!

02-14-2008, 04:29 AM	#8
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: upgrading soon need advice I got my pitmin arm of my 2wd manual steering box but you can also use one from a 70s ford truck or a jeep cherokee. for the drag link I got mine from shaker built . No need to move the springs. here is a great tech artical http://coloradok5.com/crossoversteering.shtml __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

02-14-2008, 11:45 AM	#9
mothertrucker424 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: st pete Posts: 404	Re: upgrading soon need advice now what is required of a d60 other than the d60 of course or can i build a strong d44 __________________ _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- 1972 K10 4"lift 33"tires (soon to be bigger and better) 2000 silverado 1500 2wd 2"coil spacers3" BL 285/75/16's

02-14-2008, 02:20 PM	#10
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: upgrading soon need advice for the cost of building a d44 you can buy a D60. A built 44 is not any stronger then a stock d60 and depending on what you do to it like if you use CNT joint you could surpass the price of a d60 quick. a d60 is easier to do crossover steering with the knuckle already has the holes drilled in it so all you have to do is bolt the steering arm on. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb Last edited by earl87gta; 02-14-2008 at 02:22 PM.

02-14-2008, 09:07 PM	#11
mothertrucker424 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: st pete Posts: 404	Re: upgrading soon need advice what is reuired to bolt a d 60 in __________________ _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- 1972 K10 4"lift 33"tires (soon to be bigger and better) 2000 silverado 1500 2wd 2"coil spacers3" BL 285/75/16's

02-14-2008, 09:12 PM	#12
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: upgrading soon need advice it will bolt write in just make sure you get the plates for the ubolts with the D60 the d60 case is bigger so you will need those plated and new ubolys for the driver side the pasenger side uses studs and one ubolt in the diff . other then that same as the d44 just need new break lines. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb Last edited by earl87gta; 02-14-2008 at 09:16 PM.

02-14-2008, 09:13 PM	#13
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: upgrading soon need advice you may want to up grade to a 3/4 ton booster and master to help handle the biger breaks. My burb is getting one in the next few weeks I just have to get the new gears in it and Im going to bolt every thing on. Ill take lots of pics. when I did my k5 I didnt take any. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb Last edited by earl87gta; 02-14-2008 at 09:19 PM.

02-15-2008, 12:13 PM	#14
mothertrucker424 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: st pete Posts: 404	Re: upgrading soon need advice as soon as you take pictures send them my way and what year d60 do i need and can i use any year 14ff? i am going hunting at the salvage yards this weekend i hope to drag something home __________________ _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- 1972 K10 4"lift 33"tires (soon to be bigger and better) 2000 silverado 1500 2wd 2"coil spacers3" BL 285/75/16's

02-15-2008, 11:56 PM	#15
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: upgrading soon need advice If you can score a set of axles from a k30 any year doesnt matter it will all be bolt in but you may find out its easier to get a d60 from a dullie if thats the case then you can get 14blt from any thing just have to move the spring mounts. I would just look for a k30 87 and older. you may also want to post a wanted add over on pirate 4x4 you may be able to get a set from some one. you could get one out of a dodge truck to just be sure its not a dana 61. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb Last edited by earl87gta; 02-15-2008 at 11:57 PM.



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02-16-2008, 04:36 AM	#16
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: upgrading soon need advice I have a set of axles. 8-lug 44 and a 14 bolt rear, the only thing I had to do (done this swap once) was to move the spring perches in the rear. If you want a set of axles, LMK I'll make you a deal on these.

02-16-2008, 09:00 PM	#18
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: upgrading soon need advice the rear wont be a direct bolt in if its not from a k30 you will have to move the spring perches but every thing else should be ok. Fot the D61 doge I think on one of the ribs on the diff it will be stamped in it if you end up haveing to get one out of a doge just get the BOM number off the axle housing and post it here and we can run it to see what it is and what it came out of. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb Last edited by earl87gta; 02-16-2008 at 09:01 PM.

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