Best Front Axle for Swap on 69' K20 ?

[rencher2]

Im in the market for an axle to swap for a closed knuckle dana 8 lug, Its my understanding that the 78' is stronger than earlier years & has disk brakes , is this correct? A direct bolt on including a steering box would be Ideal . I found a good junk yard but need to make sure Im ordering the right setup. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[79k20350]

There were a few dana 44's. some had larger bearings and i forget what year that started. A 10 bolt is very comparable to a later model 44.

Just go d 60 and live happily ever after

 

[rencher2]

Any ideas on a year for the D60

 

[Confedneck79K30]

one ton trucks up to 91..

 

[rencher2]

would all years up to 91' bolt right up with springs, driveline,& steering box swap?

 

[Confedneck79K30]

no,you would need conversion ujoints for the driveshaft, springs mount differently, a d60 uses bolts on the pass. side for half the spring plates..

 

[rencher2]

Will the D60 springs bolt up to the brackets

 

[rencher2]

Will the d60 springs bolt up to the chassis?

 

[Confedneck79K30]

yes

 

[rencher2]

So as far as the swap I need Up to 91'D60 with springs and the conversion u-joint ? Will the 1ton steering box & linkage bolt right up also?

 

[Confedneck79K30]

i believe so.... but if you're gonna swap in a 60, might as well get some lift springs while yer at it...

 

[ryoken]

and iirc, it's 77 to 91

 

[muddybuddy]

d44s were external locking hub style until '78. then they switched to the stronger internal locking hub style. all open knuckle d44s up until '78 also had flat top knuckles, which is what you need for cross-over on d44/10b.

 

[atho]

A D44 from any chevy truck will be a direct swap, same for the 10 bolt, except for differences in brake fittings.

D60 as mentioned above will work.

D44's and D60's out of certain Dodges and Fords will work also, in case there is a chevy shortage.

edit: case in point, I am swapping a Dodge D60 under my '69 GMC. There are a few little differences, but nothing major. It's also entertaining pissing off the diehard Chevy guys when I tell them this, they do not seem to understand the concept of Dana Spicer or parts outsourcing.

 

[muddybuddy]

D44's and D60's out of certain Dodges and Fords will work also, in case there is a chevy shortage.

no ford d60 will work with a chevy unless a ford transfer case is used, because ford is driver side and chevy and dodge are passenger side

 

[Confedneck79K30]

thats what i thought...

 

[atho]

no ford d60 will work with a chevy unless a ford transfer case is used, because ford is driver side and chevy and dodge are passenger side

since this is only brought up 20 or so times a day, I figured it did not need to be said. however, ford D60's of the 78-79 vintage bolt right up to chevy springs. and yes, you will need a driver drop t-case.

 

[Confedneck79K30]

but, this post is "best front axle" henceforth we only are mentioning running gear that will net the simplest swap

 

[rencher2]

So nobody has an answer for the steering box ?

 

[79k20350]

umm im 90% sure that a d 60 uses the same 1310 joint...