Need some front end rebuild guidance

[cclaeys]

I have a 1970 Jimmy 4x4, Dana 44 front with drum brakes. I have searched all over with no place left to turn. I bought the truck a couple of months ago and finally got it streetable but first drive was not impressive at 40+ - just not tight as it should be, kinds like a 16 foot v hull in 2 foot rollers. There is lots of rust, caked on bearing grease, dirt and neglect, it sat for a couple of years, but I am gonna bring it back and have fun figuring something new while I am at it.

I bought all new moog front end parts, tie rod ends, drag link and ball joints that I hope to actually install myself and learn something in the process - brakes and bearings et al will probably follow, I wanna do it once and right. I stared at it a couple of days and tonight decided to wtf it. First twist of the tire iron produced nothing, the cheater produced a broken wheel stud. I blastered it, heated it gave it a wrap and one came off followed by 4 breaks.

I found a couple of write ups, but they all had disc front, I assume this is the same with the exeception of the brakes, you just hang the drum brake backer (I dunno what it is called) like the caliper.

The wheel is off and the truck on stands, but that is as far as I am. I have the factory service/overhaul manuals and a crappy haynes but they dont tell me the straightforward what I need to do. I am assuming I pop that locking hub cover off and then there are some spindle nuts under there but just wanna make sure I am on the right track before I goof somethin up. I could really leverage your expertise...thanks for the consideration.

 

[diesel4me]

1971 was the first year for discs up front,so its probably the original axle...some early first generation trucks had axles with the u-joints enclosed in a large "ball" and socket type thing,others had the "open" u-joints--but I'm pretty sure the hubs should come apart the same as a disc brake axle do,I could be wrong though--I had a '72 Chevelle wagon on a '69 Suburban K-10 chassis with that "ball socket" style axle,but its been 15+ years since I had it apart and cant remember just how it went together...you can probably find a manual that shows the old drum style hubs and how to take them apart online if you search google.............................................................................................................usually there is 6 allen head bolts holding a cap on for the knob you twist to lock the hubs in,and then a couple of snap rings ,one on the axle shaft and one big one around the inside of the hub that must be removed (you'll probably need snap ring pliers) and then the drive gear and a spring should pop out,then you'll see a metal dust sheild,after that is out you'll see the two slotted wheel bearing nuts, with a "holy" washer sandwiched between them,that requires a special socket to remove...your first time doing 4wd hubs is the worst,after you do a few its pretty easy..

 

[Stomis]

I would recommend you go get an open knuckle disc front axle.

 

[tRustyK5]

I would recommend you go get an open knuckle disc front axle.

This...

 

[rampage]

And check your frame where the steering box mounts for cracks.