Caster for '79 Dana 44

[aotte1]

What is normal factory caster for a 1979 Dana 44 in a K10?

Did GM increase the factory caster between 1961 and 1980?

[kwmech]

I think normal is about 2-3 degrees

[61K10]

Doesn't the closed knuckle have less camber as only manual steering was avl? I added some 4deg shims to try and get some more feel in the steering. Haven't driven it yet. My 72 Blazer i had back the late 70's didn't steer perfect if i remember right, kinda loose. Red-Head steering said they would build me a box to add some feel to the steering. I already have a new box, so that's not going to happen. I had a 77 Ramcharger 4x4 new and it steered perfect. Don't know what was in it. dana44?

[aotte1]

Kimble,

Thanks, for your knowledge/ experiance with caster/ drive ability of newer '79 4x4 front axles versus the closed knuckle ones of the 60s.

The mid 80s Blazers steering/drivability was good too, with the 10 bolt front axle.

Any more information on when GM made changes to the Dana 44 and/or 10 bolt front axles to make them steer/drive better? Any chronology of changes, or all at once.

Thanks,
Les

[obijuan]

Between 4 -7 degrees

[61K10]

so the question has not been answered yet. Is there a difference in caster on a 60-67 dana44 closed knuckle compared to the open knuckle Dana44 or the gm 10bolt? I really don't know.

[First c10]

Originally Posted by 61K10

so the question has not been answered yet. Is there a difference in caster on a 60-67 dana44 closed knuckle compared to the open knuckle Dana44 or the gm 10bolt? I really don't know.

I would like to know also?

[ryanroo]

I'm not sure what the factory spec on the closed knuckle axles were.There may be a small difference due to the kingpin style vs. the ball joint. Both will be within the range of 3-8° so one will work in place of the other, but you may still need to tune for the best result.

[aotte1]

Obijuan and RR

Thanks for information, my '79 Dana 44 look like it has a bunch, maybe around 8 degrees. Just installing now, so no measurement yet.

RR how do you tune on them, spring wedge?

Kimble my '64 did not look like it has much?

Les

[61K10]

I don't have an O/K to compare with my closed one. I put a deg. wheel on the king pin bolts and it was about 3deg. not a good way to ck i guess.

[aotte1]

Kimble,
Is your 3 degrees with additional caster you added via the wedges?

I will try to get the '79 O/K measured.

Les

[95 S_Trucker]

Castor specs for factory 4wd trucks:

63-68 3 degrees
69-76 4 degrees
77-91 8 degrees

There is not a different spec for power steering/non power steering trucks

[61K10]

Thanks a bunch 95 S Trucker. 60-61 probably the same as 63-68. So Les you should be fine without any shims. That may explain why my 77 steered better than my 72.