Dana 44 Axle Swap

[blazerguy 90]

I have a 90 K5 thats all stock, I have access to a Dana 44 front axle, is the Dana 44 better than the stock 10 bolt ?, is it worth swapping axles ?, I don`t do any rock crawling, it will be mostly light mud and dirt trails. I will be running either 33'' or 35'' tires, I havn`t decided wich tire im going with yet, it will probably be a 33'' tire with a 4'' lift.

 

[rjfguitar]

Don't bother, the 44 isn't a bit stronger.

 

[divorced]

They are very close in strength. If there is nothing wrong with the 10 bolt I would just keep it in there.

 

[digity]

I also have a 90jimmy and been doing the same research. From what I've gathered the difference if minimal. Both are 10 bolts which result in same size ring n pinion. Basically, GM used d44 (made by dana corp) till bouts 78 or 79 then came the GM 10bolt. I've been been told don't bother swapping especially if your gonna run your front with open diff. Otherwise your just throwing away d60 money.

 

[blazerguy 90]

Axle Swap

Ok, if a 10 bolt and a Dana 44 are about the same, can you do anything to make them stronger ?, just checking all my options before I have to start looking for a Dana 60, there damn expensive.

 

[AkMudr]

Difference between the 2 is the axle tube thickness and inner shaft spline count, IIRC everythin else is the same.

Other options are chromo shafts and CTM's and $1000 later, IMHO both are a waste. If you do some diggin you can find a D60 and rebuild it for less

 

[hd-10]

the splines on the dana 44 or 30 and the 10 bolt for yoiur 90 should also be 30 spline not to shure but i think when thay went to the 241t/c instead of the 208 they also went with the 30 spline count front and back.

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Other options are chromo shafts and CTM's and $1000 later, IMHO both are a waste. If you do some diggin you can find a D60 and rebuild it for less

Build a D60 and you're going to spend several thousand dollars to do it right. Mine isn't done, nor is it even done right, and I've already got several thousand dollars invested in mine.

D60, even if it's free and in your hands, is NOT cheap, because you're tempted to splurge on everything seeing as how you have the holy grail of 4wd front axles.

 

[stallion85]

Ok, if a 10 bolt and a Dana 44 are about the same, can you do anything to make them stronger ?, just checking all my options before I have to start looking for a Dana 60, there damn expensive.

Here is a good read that should answer your question......http://coloradok5.com/ctm-d44.shtml

 

[k5freak44]

with 33s or 35s i would stay riding on 10 bolts. unless you get into a little more hardcorewheeling then you might want to upgrade to 3/4 ton (your rear 10b being the weaker link, replaced by a 14 bolt ff).