1970 Blazer Dana swap question

[BrianMc]

I recently purchased a 1970 Blazer K5 and am looking to the group for some advice since this is my first project car. The original front and rear are still on the Blazer 12 bolt and Dana 40 front with drum breaks

I wanted to start the project with the front end swap primarily so I can get some sandblasting done and order some parts. I have a lead on a matching set of diffs from a 1975 GM to facilitate the disk brake conversion. Front is a Dana 44 the rear is a Dana 70.

Would it be better to swap both the front and rear at the same time? Any comments about a Dana 70 swap to the rear? Any considerations for the swap that someone with limited knowledge should know? I am looking for an easy swap and understand the 1975 Dana 44 will work just not I should swap the rear.

 

[nvrenuf]

Good looking truck!

Are you sure about the 75 rear being a D70? It would not be factory if it is. Sometimes folks mistake 14 bolts for Dana axles, just curious if the seller may be wrong.

 

[BrianMc]

I am asking for pictures to confirm the 70. I was more interested in the front diff but found the combination of the two interesting. Not a ton of 73-76 dana 44s around so I wanted to jump on the one available.

 

[campfire]

I am asking for pictures to confirm the 70. I was more interested in the front diff but found the combination of the two interesting. Not a ton of 73-76 dana 44s around so I wanted to jump on the one available.

Why do you want an earlier D44?

 

[sweetk30]

I am asking for pictures to confirm the 70. I was more interested in the front diff but found the combination of the two interesting. Not a ton of 73-76 dana 44s around so I wanted to jump on the one available.

https://ck5.com/forums/resources/axle-identification-chart.10/

 

[BrianMc]

Why do you want an earlier D44?

I read that the 73-76 dana 44 was a straight swap and am not confident in anything more than a straight swap.

 

[campfire]

I read that the 73-76 dana 44 was a straight swap and am not confident in anything more than a straight swap.

I thought the only change in 1977 had to do with the outers, and everything else was identical between the units.

The newer D44s have larger hub bearings and internal lockouts. From the spindle outward they share parts with the 10-bolt. The 76-down units share no parts with the 10-bolt.