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dana 44 front

wazzabie

wazzabie

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what is the differance between the first and second design? What are the current knuckes vs flat knucles? Any other changes?

I found this in a nother thread...

Not all D44's have flat tops. Only the 1st design axles did. Those are '76/'77 and older ones. 2nd design axles use the current knuckles that were used all the way up to '91.
 
I believe there are hub and bearing changes between those years too, but I don't know. The flat top knuckle is on the passenger side, the driver side has always been flat. However, you have to look at the tierod between the two, some go through the top and others through the bottom. Not all D44 knuckles will work either, jeeps need slight mods and I think fords are unusable.

I have '73 flat top knuckles. I needed both side because of the tierod is different from my '79.

1 043.jpg
 
71-76 had top down taper on the tie rod arm so the tie rod nut would be on the bottom. 77-91 knuckles had bottom up taper, tie rod nut on top.
 
A D44 is a D44, only thing that changed really is the 1st design had external manual hubs and slightly smaller bearing hubs.
 
t0mills said:
For what it's worth, my 77 does not have a flat top knuckle on the passenger side. Though I wish it did...
Click to expand...

My '77 also didn't have a flat top knuckle on the passenger side, some do but most don't. You never know what GM did, especially through this time frame.


wazzabie said:
Is one design stronger? Why did they change it?
Click to expand...

Not really, and AFAIK they started putting 10 bolt knuckles on the leftover D44 housings until they ran out of them.
 
Muddytazz said:
A D44 is a D44, only thing that changed really is the 1st design had external manual hubs and slightly smaller bearing hubs.
Click to expand...
see, I thought there were variances between the auto manufacturers. I'd be careful thinking all D44s are the same. I've seen different knuckles, not just drum vs. disc brake difference, but other casting changes too.

Do I have proof? No, but if I was suppose to be gathering it for this moment no 1 told me!:doah::haha:
 
38377k5 said:
My '77 also didn't have a flat top knuckle on the passenger side, some do but most don't. You never know what GM did, especially through this time frame.
Yeah I know you never do know what GM did during this time period. I have an early 78 with many parts from 77. It has been in the family since new so I know what has and hasn't changed. The fuel pump and fuel lines are 77. Front axel is a Dana 44. Since it is so early many of the parts I find are 77 on it.

So should I expect a flat top on a very early 78?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
1st Design axle tubes are 2.75" diameter.

2nd Design are 3" diameter.



1st Design TRE's nuts are on the bottom.

2nd Design has the nuts on top.



Stabilizer mount on the axle tube is on the driver side by the spring perch on the 1st.

2nd has the mount in the center of the tube.



There are 3 different brake caliper mounts on both 1/2 and 3/4 tons.

2 different calipers and banjo bolt sizes.



U-bolt plates are different between the 1st and 2nd. Due to axle tube diameter.



Dana 44 axles were used up to '82 in the GMC trucks in order to phase them out. Some had 10 bolts, too. All of '83 trucks had 10 bolts.



Knuckles have already been discussed above. Thats a wild hare chase with what years had what and what. I'm still sticking with the 1st Designs using all flat tops and all of the 2nd Designs using the round tops. And the year split between the 1st and 2nd is '76 and '77.
 
How common is it to find the Dana 44 in the post 77's?

Also are any of the parts from the Dana 44 frount swapable with the Dana 60 frount?
 
wazzabie said:
How common is it to find the Dana 44 in the post 77's?

Also are any of the parts from the Dana 44 frount swapable with the Dana 60 frount?
Click to expand...
As I said, D44's were used in GMC trucks up to '82.

GM used up some D44's in the Chevy lines, too, as they were doing a phase-out to the 10 bolts beginning in the 2nd Design.

Nothing swappable from D44's (or 10 bolts) over to the D60. A D60 is huge and in a class of its own.
 
I also forgot to add that the axle tubes between 1/2 and 3/4 tons were rumored to be of different thicknesses.

I've seen a true 3/4 ton fronts tube to have 1/2" thick walls but can't remember which axle it was on.

Supposedly the 1/2 tonners got thinner tubes. I've never had a chance to cut any tubes up.
 
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