how to tell difference btwn 10bolt and dana 44?

[Streetgliderx]

i can buy a ragged blazer bout 79 model with a 12 bolt rear and i aint sure which front... is the d44 12b combo better than my factory 10's? i am gonna have to go thru them and prob gear them as well he thinks they are 3.73. so would i be better off just droppin dough on my axles and gearing for my tires?

 

[1982blazer]

The 79 is likely a 10 bolt front. If i were you i would not go through the trouble to swap to d44 12 bolt combo, because it is still half ton. I don't know if its much stronger/ any stronger than the 10 bolt's, I think the dana 44 is a little bit better than a 10 bolt front.

 

[obijuan]

difference is negligible, the ten bolt has little ears on the corners of the diff and the dana 44 has a dana shaped cover and says 44 on it.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

http://coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml

 

[Streetgliderx]

obijuan how does your truck drive highway with the 700r4 combo on 4.56? i am in desperate need to re-gear and looking for the best range

 

[obijuan]

like a dream, except for the vibes.

 

[Streetgliderx]

vibes? driveshaft? or from the low gears?

 

[obijuan]

oh yeah ujoint vibrations, rpm and power are all right where the truck and i like them.
the motor isnt loud or trying too hard or "hunting" for OD.

if you dont like it get bigger tires! or smaller...

 

[Streetgliderx]

good point gear low then just raise tires up if i want more hwy speed