What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Which is it, Dana 44 or GM 10 Bolt?

[ QUOTE ]
3.08's and 2.73's are a joke...

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, I'll say. My '83 K5 6.2 Diesel came stock with 3.08's. They allowed me to get about 25 to 26 mpg on the highway with the stock tires (275/75R15~about a 28 in tire) /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif But when I put the 4 inch lift on it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and 33's, I dropped to about 18 mpg and have zero power. Hence the switch to 4.10's
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
3.08's and 2.73's are a joke...

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, I'll say. My '83 K5 6.2 Diesel came stock with 3.08's. They allowed me to get about 25 to 26 mpg on the highway with the stock tires (275/75R15~about a 28 in tire) /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif But when I put the 4 inch lift on it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and 33's, I dropped to about 18 mpg and have zero power. Hence the switch to 4.10's

[/ QUOTE ]
I was refering to gas powered rigs, diesel rigs would get along with 3.08's better...
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
So post 76-77 the dana 44's didn't have a flat top kunckle?

[/ QUOTE ]
77 and earlier had the flat tops, 78 and newer 44's didn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

ALL GM Dana 44 axles (with disc brakes and open knuckles) have flat top knuckles from the factory 1971-1979. NO GM 10 bolt axles have flat top knuckles from the factory 1977-1987('91 blazer/sub). The years 1977-79 were a cross over time for GM where they were using up current stock of Dana 44 axles until depleted then switched over to the 10 bolt.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
So post 76-77 the dana 44's didn't have a flat top kunckle?

[/ QUOTE ]
77 and earlier had the flat tops, 78 and newer 44's didn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

ALL GM Dana 44 axles (with disc brakes and open knuckles) have flat top knuckles from the factory 1971-1979. NO GM 10 bolt axles have flat top knuckles from the factory 1977-1987('91 blazer/sub). The years 1977-79 were a cross over time for GM where they were using up current stock of Dana 44 axles until depleted then switched over to the 10 bolt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry but NO.
I have a FEW axles and a FEW trucks with D44's.
They are NOT all Flat tops.
And they are not all the same, some came with tie rods bolted from the top some bolted fron the bottom.
They had too many variations to have a standard but I know that after 75-76 they didn't have flat tops.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
So post 76-77 the dana 44's didn't have a flat top kunckle?

[/ QUOTE ]
77 and earlier had the flat tops, 78 and newer 44's didn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

ALL GM Dana 44 axles (with disc brakes and open knuckles) have flat top knuckles from the factory 1971-1979. NO GM 10 bolt axles have flat top knuckles from the factory 1977-1987('91 blazer/sub). The years 1977-79 were a cross over time for GM where they were using up current stock of Dana 44 axles until depleted then switched over to the 10 bolt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry but NO.
I have a FEW axles and a FEW trucks with D44's.
They are NOT all Flat tops.
And they are not all the same, some came with tie rods bolted from the top some bolted fron the bottom.
They had too many variations to have a standard but I know that after 75-76 they didn't have flat tops.

[/ QUOTE ]

I definately agree..
I thought 77' was the last year for a d44...
76-77 NEVER had flattops...
77 was a transition year for 10b fronts...they came in 3/4 tons..
AND 78' was the year GM went to 10b's....
 
[ QUOTE ]
I definately agree..
I thought 77' was the last year for a d44...
76-77 NEVER had flattops...
77 was a transition year for 10b fronts...they came in 3/4 tons..
AND 78' was the year GM went to 10b's....

[/ QUOTE ]
Some of this is wrong, but yet right.

77 was the transition yr that GM started putting in 10bolts. I have seen D44's in an 80 and 81, it just depended on when that particular GM plant ran out of D44's to put under the front of a vehicle.

As far as the 76-77 NEVER having flat tops, that is also wrong. I have also seen both those yrs with flat tops, but they are very rare in those years. 77 was the last yr to ever see a flat top.
 
If we really want to get technical all 10 bolt front axles come with 1 flat top /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif
 
/forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
If we really want to get technical all 10 bolt front axles come with 1 flat top /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL...Are You sure!!! /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif
 
I don't know what it is, but I have ran across the a lot of 1977 dana 44s. I noted these changes.

1. no flat tops

2. Later model 44s have bigger axle tubes. It's the same size as the 10 bolt. So when you buy a u-bolt kit, buy one for a 10 bolt and use the 10 bolt spring plates (or later model dana 44).

3. Bigger inner wheel bearings.
 
Alright, so supposing I do have a 10b, anyone got any good advice on how to put new bearings in it? The half-shaft out by the U-joint seems to have a bit of play in it. So I think the bearings are probably bad. Also, when I go to the auto zone to get parts, those guys usually have no idea what the difference is between this axle or that, they just want to know what truck the parts are for. So if I have a 10b, with 8-lugs on it, what truck should I tell the guy behind the counter? And yeah, I guess it does have ONE flat-top! /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif
 
That's a needle bearing in the spindle. It's a bitch to replace and I think the last one I bought was like $9. I'd find another spindle with a good needle bearing. Those little seals are like $5/each also. I have so many 10 bolt parts I just toss out spindles with worn needle bearings. In my opinion, that little seal and the big seal (slinger I think it's called) are the important parts. Oh, and the really big one that goes on the back side of the bearing hub.

I'd probably tell them an 80s 3/4 ton Suburban. I'm pretty sure all of those got an 8 lug 10 bolt and an 8 lug 14SF.
 
Are the spindles the same for the 8 lug and 6 lug 10bolt axles? The bearings in my current 10b front axle seem good, (no play in them anyhow) so I could just swap the spindles when I swap the axles. Oh yeah, I was looking for some flat top knuckles (just like everybody else) and I found an old dodge Dana 44 with the flat-tops. Will they work, and if not, does anybody use the dodge style knuckle?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Are the spindles the same for the 8 lug and 6 lug 10bolt axles?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, they are the same and you should have no problems using them /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Oh yeah, I was looking for some flat top knuckles (just like everybody else) and I found an old dodge Dana 44 with the flat-tops. Will they work, and if not, does anybody use the dodge style knuckle?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure about that but I have heard that they are the same as GM version. Although I would not want to spend much money trying to find out.
 
The only thing different between 6 lug and 8 lug 10 bolts are the bearing hubs and the brake backing plates, correct? Instead of being 67" WMS to WMS the 8 lug are 69" WMS to WMS, correct?
 
Are the rotors on an 8-lug larger in diameter than on a 6 lug? i.e. will I have to /forums/images/graemlins/grind.gif the caliper to get a 15" rim on there?
 
[ QUOTE ]
The only thing different between 6 lug and 8 lug 10 bolts are the bearing hubs and the brake backing plates, correct? Instead of being 67" WMS to WMS the 8 lug are 69" WMS to WMS, correct?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, that is correct as long as you are talking about the same generation axles (big bearing vs. small bearing spindles). But, with the small bearing spindles the lockouts were also different between 6 and 8 lug. After 1977 with the big bearing design the lockouts were the same for both 6 and 8 lug.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Are the rotors on an 8-lug larger in diameter than on a 6 lug? i.e. will I have to /forums/images/graemlins/grind.gif the caliper to get a 15" rim on there?

[/ QUOTE ]

Rotors are larger diameter and the backing plates are bigger. You may have to grind depending on how much backspacing your rims have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom