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Six lug Dana 44 vs eight lug Dana 44

odoa3

odoa3

1/2 ton status
Joined
Mar 31, 2004
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Location
Anchorage, AK
I currently have a six lug Dana 44 in my '75 K5. Have a eight lug dana 44 from a 3/4 ton 80's Suburban that I can have for free. What is the difference between the two? Is the eight lug stronger or just have different lugs on it? Worth switching it over? Thanks for the info.
 
Same axle. Outers are the only difference.

SOME 3/4 tons have slightly larger calipers although they're interchangable anyway.

3/4 ton rotors are slightly larger in diameter.

You will have to grind the brakes on an 8 lug axle to clear 15" wheels.

Neither is stronger than the other.
 
You are the man for the Dana questions! /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif So, I can just switch over the outers, and be good to go with the front end I have, correct? Thanks!
 
All 1/2 and 3/4 ton calipers are the same.

You do not need to grind calipers or brakes on a D44 or 10 bolt to fit 15" rims.
 
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You do not need to grind calipers or brakes on a D44 or 10 bolt to fit 15" rims.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think there are a few guys that have had to do a little grinding to fit 15's. It seems I noticed the rotors on my 3/4 10B were a little larger than my old 1/2 10B. /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif
Also the backspacing would make a big difference I think. /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif
 
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Have a eight lug dana 44 from a 3/4 ton 80's Suburban that I can have for free.

[/ QUOTE ]

FYI-

If that 8 lug axle is from an 80's 'burb, it's not a D44, it's a 10b. The last of the D44's were around '77-78. /forums/images/graemlins/pimp1.gif
 
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You do not need to grind calipers or brakes on a D44 or 10 bolt to fit 15" rims.


[/ QUOTE ]

99% of the time you are correct Mr. Scott. Hehe, not this time though. I did quite a bit of grinding on Shewheelers 3/4 ton calipers to fit her 15" rims. /forums/images/graemlins/pimp1.gif
 
One thing you guys need to keep in mind is that not ALL Dana 44's are created equal. The older ones, like OEM on my burb, had smaller diameter axle tubes and smaller u-joints. There is also a difference in diameter of the axle shafts, although the neck-down portion of the shafts is close to the same diameter. The spindles and bearings are also larger on my '77 axle.

So for me, going to a '77 8-lug D44 from a '71 6-lug D44 WAS an upgrade. /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

Here is an old thread on the subject.

But in this case, since his original D44 is a '75 model, the only real upgrade would be to switch the outers, which will give him the larger brakes, spindles and bearings. /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I did quite a bit of grinding on Shewheelers 3/4 ton calipers to fit her 15" rims. /forums/images/graemlins/pimp1.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I hear that the guys with 2.75" BS don't have to do much grinding, if at all. But those of us with 4.25" BS have a fair amount to do. /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

3669Picture_083_sm.jpg


/forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif
 
But everyone knows Dana built the 10b !
according to Grim /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif


[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Have a eight lug dana 44 from a 3/4 ton 80's Suburban that I can have for free.

[/ QUOTE ]

FYI-

If that 8 lug axle is from an 80's 'burb, it's not a D44, it's a 10b. The last of the D44's were around '77-78. /forums/images/graemlins/pimp1.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I did quite a bit of grinding on Shewheelers 3/4 ton calipers to fit her 15" rims. /forums/images/graemlins/pimp1.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I hear that the guys with 2.75" BS don't have to do much grinding, if at all. But those of us with 4.25" BS have a fair amount to do. /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

3669Picture_083_sm.jpg


/forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

IIRC, Cheryle's wheels are 2.5" BS. I didn't have to grind much, mostly just the casting mark and a bit more, but I did have to grind some.
 
I've got 2.75" BS on my 15's and I didn't have to grind at all /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
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