axle question

[DR]

Im looking at a 76 3/4 ton truck. The owner doesnt know anything about the axles other than its an 8 lug with 4.11 gears, and the front is supposidly a factory posi. Anyone know what axle this might be, and what locker it might have?

 

[nvrenuf]

It should be a D44. There were no factory posi's of any kind in civilian trucks.

 

[thatK30guy]

It should be a D44. There were no factory posi's of any kind in civilian trucks.

Yep, I agree. No posi's of any kind, factory, in civi trucks. And yes, D44 of the first design.

 

[DR]

So do you think it would be a closed knuckle 44? Im looking at buying the whole truck for 500.00 The guy doesn't know what axles it has. Other than, he says its a locked "posi" front. He says its a 203 with a part time kit and a th350. He said it ran about six years ago when he parked it. He knows it has a bad fuel pump. I just want it for the axles for my K5. Think it would be worth it?

 

[b454rat]

Could be an HD44, will have the bigger lockout hubs and flattop knuckles. Either way it's a Dana 44. There were no factory posi's in these trucks after 72. The military was the only ones, that was 84-88.

 

[nvrenuf]

In my neck of the woods, 3/4 ton stuff can be had for $350~$500 without all the unknowns of this truck or the scrap body to get rid of. Imo, not a screaming deal unless it had bigger gears and posi's swapped in but like you said he doesn't know. I would at the very least pull both diff covers to verify what you're buying.

 

[thatK30guy]

So do you think it would be a closed knuckle 44? Im looking at buying the whole truck for 500.00 The guy doesn't know what axles it has. Other than, he says its a locked "posi" front. He says its a 203 with a part time kit and a th350. He said it ran about six years ago when he parked it. He knows it has a bad fuel pump. I just want it for the axles for my K5. Think it would be worth it?

Nope on closed knuckle. '76 is open.
The only way a posi can be in the front is if someone swapped it in there. Remove the cover and check it out.
Yes, the whole truck is worth $500. You can part the rest or install your old 1/2 ton axles and resell it back out for $500 and recover your money. Can you say "free 3/4 ton axles"?

 

[thatK30guy]

Could be an HD44, will have the bigger lockout hubs and flattop knuckles.

Yep, true on both of these.

 

[DR]

Looks like I'm gonna go for it! As always great info! Thanks