Dana 44

[Stinky]

I am looking at changing axles on my '90 Sub. 3.42/5 isn't for me.

Will a '72 Dana 44 interchange?

 

[paratrooper307]

I'll assume you're talking a front axle. Short answer is that it is not a direct fit. Depending on what it came out of, you'll at the very least have to relocate spring perches. Given the abundance of 73-87 (91) 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton axles that will bolt right in and offer parts interchangeability and require minimum modification, I don't really see that it's worth messing with a pre-73 axle, even if you get it cheap/free. Others may have a different opinion, however.

Another note, if it's a D44 front axle from a Chevy drum brake truck, run far, far away. The axles are incompatible with disc brakes, have numerous weak points, and have minimal parts interchangeability, not to mention two different widths depending on whether they came out of a pickup or Blazer. They're basically worthless unless you're creating a period-correct truck.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Whoa, a lot of that is wrong.

Assuming it's a Chevy D44, it will be disc brake and is a direct swap for what you have other than the size of the banjo bolt size. That's easy, you can swap the calipers from your 90 onto the early axle (direct swap) and then everything bolts up.

 

[thatK30guy]

Yep, what Chris said..... ^^^^^^^^^^

 

[sweetk30]

don't forget early year dana 44 axles had smaller u-joints on the shafts .

 

[dremu]

Whoa, a lot of that is wrong.

Assuming it's a Chevy D44, it will be disc brake and is a direct swap for what you have other than the size of the banjo bolt size. That's easy, you can swap the calipers from your 90 onto the early axle (direct swap) and then everything bolts up.

Are the 67-72 front frame widths the same as the 73+? I thought they were narrower, but maybe I'm thinking of the rears and how they're the 40.5 like the 73+ one tons?

-- A

 

[diesel4me]

The rear axles on the first generation K5's had the narrower spring pad spacing,compared to the '73 up ones..(half ton)...far as I know all the disc brake front ends physically bolt in from '71 to 90 on the square body trucks..

 

[thatK30guy]

Are the 67-72 front frame widths the same as the 73+? I thought they were narrower, but maybe I'm thinking of the rears and how they're the 40.5 like the 73+ one tons?

-- A

Yes, you can bolt in any 1 ton rear with the 40.5" perches to the '67-'72 trucks with no mods.

But you still have to relocate the shock mounts. At least one side will need to be flipped to the opposite side and both may or may not need to be angled correctly to allow the shock to bolt up easily.

 

[Stinky]

I bought the axle, 20 bucks. I think that I'm going to use it as a core. He replaced it w/a newer D44 w/disk brakes.

I knew what I had when I saw it. But, I knew that he'd take 20 bucks for it and could use it for something and get my money out of it.