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dana 44 vs 10 bolt... not like youre thinking

72k5mike

72k5mike

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im not going to get into the which is better debate, just wanted some input


I have the 72 dana 44 in the front of my blazer and was wondering how interchangeable they are with the various 10 bolts.

I have the chance to get an h3 locker for next to nothing (10 bolt) and was wondering if with conversion bearings and new axle shafts if it would bolt into the dana 44 carrier.

Just throwing it out there
 
Pretty sure it won't.


Then again I bet you could get a 10 bolt for cheap and set it up to go under your truck.
 
Easy conversion to just pit the 10 bolt in.
Need new u bolts. I like the 10 bolts because they are easier to set up and have bigger axle tubes than what you have.
 
Are they a direct swap into a 1st gen like that?

I have no clue myself so I'm just curious.
 
Don't know on the internals, but as was said hunt down another 10 bolt.

Mine was a direct swap. 10 bolt was supposedly from an 87 blazer. Only thing I had to play with was I went crossover and hydro assist at the same time so had to swap in the 2 WD steering box.

On another note the rear 14 FF I just had to move spring perches.
 
Interesting. Good old GM interchangeability.
 
Pretty sure the H3 locker is based on an AAM 10 bolt which may be similar but still different than our good ol' GM 8.5" 10b.

Something tells me that if you try to put an H3 (selectable?) locker into either a D44 or GM10b, whatever you save on the purchase price, you'd make up for in additional cost, pain, and suffering VS just buying the proper selectable locker in the first place.

Unless, of course, you've done the research already and know exactly what it takes to install and that it does actually work. :dunno: And I'm not sitting here saying it can't be done either. I just don't think it's the same stuff.

That's my .02
 
AAM is the same company that made the 10 bolt, but at one point split from GM to become independant and sell to Chrysler or anyone who wanted their axles.
The 10 bolt as far as I know is the same axle, they had no reason to change it.
Unless I see a difference I am assuming it's carried over.
The 14bff did, why not the 10 bolt and 14bsf.
496truck said:
Pretty sure the H3 locker is based on an AAM 10 bolt which may be similar but still different than our good ol' GM 8.5" 10b.

Something tells me that if you try to put an H3 (selectable?) locker into either a D44 or GM10b, whatever you save on the purchase price, you'd make up for in additional cost, pain, and suffering VS just buying the proper selectable locker in the first place.

Unless, of course, you've done the research already and know exactly what it takes to install and that it does actually work. :dunno: And I'm not sitting here saying it can't be done either. I just don't think it's the same stuff.

That's my .02
Click to expand...
 
imiceman44 said:
AAM is the same company that made the 10 bolt, but at one point split from GM to become independant and sell to Chrysler or anyone who wanted their axles.
The 10 bolt as far as I know is the same axle, they had no reason to change it.
Unless I see a difference I am assuming it's carried over.
The 14bff did, why not the 10 bolt and 14bsf.
Click to expand...


I thought the AAM 10.5 was different than the corporate 14bff?

That being said the 10 bolt locker is definitely not going to go into your dana 44. Like always said the strength differences are marginal between the two. If you have a 10 bolt locker than take your flat tops off the dana 44 and put them on a 10 bolt and install the locker.
 
ahh, now I remember that the new 10 bolts are the 8.6" and I am not too sure how much they share with the old 10 bolts

Thanks guys
 
I know some of the parts interchange. Ring gear, for one, is different.
 
Pretty sure the 8.6" 10-bolts will interchange parts with the older 8.5". If you look up ring and pinions at just about any aftermarket company they list the same part numbers for either. Almost all of the 14FF/10.5" parts are interchangeable inside the diff also. Research this about a year ago with the Gov-lock in my '03 with the AAM 10.5" acted up a little...all the differentials and gears were the same going quite a ways back. The only obvious difference between my '03 axle and the mid-80's version in my K5 were some reinforcing ribs on the housing and the factory disc brakes.
 
OK, so it's a ring gear sizing difference? 8.5 vs 8.6

The best way to know is to look up a locker for an H3 and a locker for an 8.5" 10b and see if they are the same. If so, than an H3 selectable locker will fit in a front 10b.
 
496truck said:
OK, so it's a ring gear sizing difference? 8.5 vs 8.6

The best way to know is to look up a locker for an H3 and a locker for an 8.5" 10b and see if they are the same. If so, than an H3 selectable locker will fit in a front 10b.
Click to expand...


As long as theres no odd protruding solenoids that require a special case like a toyota E locker.
 
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