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??? About D44 and 12 bolts

gokartergo

gokartergo

3/4 ton status
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Dec 2, 2000
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Is the D44 and 12 from a 77 Blazer that much stronger then the 10 bolts from a 86... I have a chance to pick up a 77 Blazer for almost nothing and was wondering if the axles were that much stronger.. It also has the NP 203....Dan
 
I don't think there is a whole lot of difference overall, but you can look in the technical section on this site and find out some of the differences. Think its in the axle swap article.

I would rather have a 44/12 bolt set up if it were me and my other choice was a 10 bolt.
 
I did the same. The 12 bolt is stronger and has held up fine. The front 44 is the same as a 10 bolt internally. It lasted about 2 hours into the first 4 wheeling trip. I went to a 3/4ton dana 44 and it has been fine. I did have to change it to 6 lug to match the 12 bolt. You should have plenty of parts off your old 10 bolt to do the conversion.
 
I did that it says it is a step up from the 10 bolts..And they were used on some 3/4 ton trucks... But I want to know does it still have the c-clip in them.. And Is it worth swapping in.. Our am I basically swapping in the same thing....Thanks Dan
 
Yes the 12 bolt is a c-clip axle, but it is a step up from the 10-bolt. I run 35's and it's been fine. The 3/4 ton dana 44 and the 1/2 ton dana 44 are different internally. I would recommend going with the 3/4 ton if you can find one, then use the 12-bolt in the rear.
 
Yea the 3/4 are 8 lug. Easy to change to 6. Just install the hub, brake rotor, and spindle from your old axle. I don't remeber if I had to use the old stub shafts or not. Don't think so, but it's been a while.
 
Yes, both axles are stronger than your current 10 bolts. There are going to be people here who argue that fact but the 12 bolt has a larger ring gear than a 10 bolt. The 10 bolt ring gear is 8.5" and the 12 bolt is 8.875". Both axles are c-clip style. Dana 44 axles have a beefier center housing than a 10 bolt, they also have 30 spline axles instead of 28 spline like most 10 bolts. Dana 44 axles are 1.31" diameter and 10 bolts are 1.28" diameter. All 1/2 and 3/4 ton Dana 44 axles are the same except for 6 or 8 lug rotors respectively. If you are going to do an axle swap why not go for the 14bff rear and either the Dana 44 or 60 front. Yes you would have to buy new wheels but then you are assured to not have any troubles.
 
I hate to argue, but the 1/2 ton D44 that I broke had the same carrier as my old 10-bolt. The 3/4 ton D44 had a much larger carrier. Anyway, bought them both used, so who knows what had been done in their previous life.
 
You did not have a Dana 44 if you claim the carrier was the same as your 10 bolt. The Dana 44 and 10 bolt carriers are most definately different. Different part #'s means different part.
 
Been looking for a D60...But I am not going to spend over a thousand dollars for one.. I found this Blazer with the D44 AND 12 bolt.. I am just trying to decide what I want to do with it.. I am buying it for only $500.00.. No rust and in pretty good shape. It also has the 203 t-case.. The guy blew the 305 and was in the process of putting in a 350 when he decided he didn't want to go any farther on it.. He has everything done expect putting on the heads that he had redone.. Not sure if I want to buy it and put a couple hundred in to it and resale it. Our take the axles and t-case for me. And sale the rest.. Our make it a trail rig for me.. Just tryiong to decide....Dan
 
The only thing that makes a D44 3/4 ton or 1/2 ton is the outers. From the knuckle in they are identical.

Both versions have the same carrier, and an 8.5" ring gear. There is no real difference in strength between the D44 and 10 bolt front either. Any differences are so minor strength wise that it's definitely not worth swapping one for the other.

Rene
 
As usual it depends. Many of the K5's that got the D44 and 12 bolt had crappy gears. The most common I've seen is the 3.07 fronts and 3.08 rears. For what you'll spend to do a gear swap and freshen up the 12 bolt you could have fixed the 10 bolt or upgraded to stronger axles.

The 12 bolt offers a bit more strength, but it still has some of the same drawbacks that the 10 bolt has. C-clip axles would be number one, gov-locks are just as bad in the 12 bolts as they are in the 10's.

I'd say it might be worth it if the ratio already matches the front end you already have or it has the gears you want.

Getting the ratio i wanted was my original reason for swapping the 14 bolt FF and D44 into my truck. For $600 I got front and rear, both driveshafts, plus a SM 465/ NP 205 combo. The only drawback was bolt pattern...

Rene
 
I say buy it, get it running, and just use it as a play toy! If you remove some weight from it (tailgate, doors, top, etc...) that will help the axles last longer. Hack the fenders, put on some 35's and play on the "Tank Trap"...at Blazer fest of course so we all can watch!
 
Thats kinda what I'm thinkin.. It already as a tow bar up front.. It's no big deal to tow it out to Hollisterhills for me.. I wouldn't tow it much farther. I haven't decided yet. I might just buy it and part it out..Dan
 
You know who wants the Doors /forums/images/icons/wink.gif
Sounds like decision time? HHMMM Keep curent Blazer running real good and get beater. [fender trim toss hard top, toss doors on to my K5 and go 35's with 2.5 lift.] LOL Let me know if you need any help. You know who to call. SEE YA
 
I still think that the difference between a 10 bolt rear and a 12 bolt rear is not much at all...8.5 vs 8.8 ring gear, big deal. Go to a 14 bolt if you want strength. And yeah, I thought the only diff in a 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton 44 was the knuckles/hubs/rotors.

If you buy it just for parts, don't do it just for the t-case, 12 bolt and 44. Look around for the parts seperate, and go to a 14 bolt rear and 8 lug 44 for the front. I found a 14 bolt for 150 complete ready to run already set up to fit under my Blazer. the parts are out there, don't waste too much wrench time to get only a small improvement.
 
As others have said, there is no difference in strength between a 10 bolt and a D44. They're the same except for hubs, rotors, and backing plates.
 
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