Dana Closed Knuckle and Warn M8 hubs

[JPBrecheisen]

Can anybody give me some information on this axle?

I am working on a 1962 GMC K1000. It has a closed knuckle Dana 44 front axle.

This other axle is one I picked up for spare parts.

As I took the spare one apart I noticed that the "bell" or very outer tip has quite a bit more thickness to it than the one on my truck. I have attached some pictures that show the difference.

Is this something Dana did in later years to make the outer portion of the axle stronger? This one was removed off of a 1963 GMC.

Any info is appreciated.

Also, I'd like to know if anybody has any info on these M8 Warn hubs...parts service kits etc.

[JPBrecheisen]

Anybody have anything?

Can somebody post a picture of a later 60's closed knuckle outer housing if they have it?

My guess is that they beefed up the outer area since most axles likely ran spicer joints by this time and didn't have rzeppa's like Jeep/Willys used ect....but i'm only guessing.

I wasn't expecting to see that outer housing tip so beefy, so I'm just curious.

I'll look for some NOS service kits for the Warn M8's. If anybody has a good source to start with, let me know please.

Thanks

[MyDad'sTruck]

Are you working on this now? I have same hubs on closed knuckle (68 chev).

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by MyDad'sTruck

Are you working on this now? I have same hubs on closed knuckle (68 chev).

Yes, I am as a matter of fact. I have been working on a closed knuckle axle on my 1962 GMC. I have one of the hubs disassembled and am working on cleaning it up. Looks like its in "ok" shape. There are some teeth that are damaged inside the hub, but it should work decent for now. I hope the other side is as good or better. I was able to track down new old stock service kit for them, but that just includes new snap rings and o-rings.

This closed knuckle stuff is getting harder and harder to find it seems. I hope I should be able to get my truck back in shape, but sometimes when the stuff is scarce, I like to have repair parts/spares just in case.