1rst/2nd Gen K10/20 Dana44 parts compatibility ?

[tarussell]

I saw another post about swapping out whole front ends between 1rst & 2nd Gen’s and it got me reminiscing about Dana44 parts compatibility - it’s been so long since I’ve modified any Dana44 setups I can’t recall exactly what will or will not interchange?

The housings being swapped from one gen to the other is a given but what about putting 2nd Gen ( or disc brake 1rst Gen ) knuckles on an original drum brake Dana44 inner C’s?

Next question is will the inner axle shafts swap out with no issues - seems that I remember that the 1rst gens had slightly smaller axle joints?
If I recall correctly we would put the larger axle joint shafts in the older housings as an upgrade but it’s been so damn long now I can’t remember.

I’m not building anything but just curious - besides it might make for some tech talk or help someone in the search option one day.

Thanks for any input on a fading memory…

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

original axles were 260 u-joint shafts; I have a set

 

[Bent77]

This /\ up through 72

73 and earlier were flat top both sides
74 and up reversed the direction of the taper for the tie rod

 

[tarussell]

original axles were 260 u-joint shafts; I have a set

Can ya ( or anyone ) confirm if the 297/760 type inner shafts will swap in for the 260 type shafts?

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

Can ya ( or anyone ) confirm if the 297/760 type inner shafts will swap in for the 260 type shafts?

they do

 

[streetrodchev]

What year did they switch from the closed knuckle to the open knuckle? 73???

What year did the disc brakes start? 70???

 

[kennyw]

Closed knuckle was 1960-1969.

Open knuckle with drum brakes was 1970 only. Swapping to disc requires swapping knuckles from the donor.

First generation open knuckle with disc brakes was 1971-72.

Second generation disc brakes was 1973-76, small bearing with flat top knuckle. Axle tube diameter is larger/ stormer than all previous generations.

Third generation disc brakes was 1977-91, large bearing without flat top knuckle.

The transition from Dana 44 to 10 bolt was 1977-80 where the axles shared the same parts knuckle out but different internals and housing.

The cost effective option is to buy a complete donor axle from a squarebody with the correct gear ratio and swap it in.