Your opinion on replacing 1990 Sub axles with 1976 10bolt and D44

[tmmby119]

I have 1990 1/2 ton Sub with 10 bolt axles, rear one is already junkyard replacement from PO, needs rebuild badly, front one needs ball joints and brake hubs done.....I've scored complete chassis from 1976 1/2 ton truck, frame, axles (D44 front, 10 bolt rear ), 4" Skyjacker all spring lift, driveshafts - everything brand new and/or rebuilt..... What is your opinion on running the D44 in front? Its a DD, 35" tires tops, no bad ass off roading, just some light trail runs and get me to mountains to board. I believe the gears are 3.73's.....Will both axles just bolt in? Oh, after the swap, I will post the powder coated frame up for sale. Just heads up for ya guys with rusted out ones....

 

[Corey 78K5]

They will bolt right in. No gains or losses in strength.

 

[tmmby119]

Thanks, that's what I thought....awesome!!! Now just rebuild the 241 and fit it wit SYE kit so I can use the driveline this whole deal came with....

 

[63chevyll]

Use the 10 bolt hardware, or at least double check drivers side axle tube size

 

[tmmby119]

What hardware you have on your mind?

 

[63chevyll]

U bolts and spring plates.

I ran into once were tried to use the d44 u bolts on a 10 bolt and they were too narrow, like the d44 has slightly smaller tubes

 

[tmmby119]

oh, gotcha......I have the whole rolling chassis so just gonna unbolt spring eye bolts and roll the axle right under my truck....I really hope for easy one day project....lol

 

[thatK30guy]

U bolts and spring plates.

I ran into once were tried to use the d44 u bolts on a 10 bolt and they were too narrow, like the d44 has slightly smaller tubes

Yep, the '77 and older front axles are a 2.75" diameter tubing. Even the u-bolt plates are different than the '77.5 on up of which the newer axle tubings are a 3" diameter.

 

[63chevyll]

Cool, I wasnt sure of the years with the small d44 tubes.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Just to ask the obvious...shouldn't a '76 rear axle be a 12 bolt?

If it really is a 10 bolt it's been swapped in and I'd make sure you know what ratios they both have.

 

[7387chevynut]

Like the above guy said/asked.......

Pre 1982 GM trucks had 12 bolt rear ends, unless it blew up and somebody swapped in a 10 bolt, or wanted different axel ratios.

I just bought a 90 K5 blazer that somebody swapped out its original 10 bolt rear and installed a 12 bolt..........I was pissed at first.........but after poping the cover and seeing an EATON posi unit....that works.........alls well that ends well.

 

[tmmby119]

it is 12 bolt..... didn't pay attention.....

here is a few pics

 

[KansasTwister]

My 76 2wd gmc has a 10 bolt, but it could have been replaced at some point in the past but looks very original. Typically the earliest ive seen them was 77 till dad got this truck.

 

[1BEATK5]

sweet wheels and tires

it looks like somebody spent alot of time on that frame.

 

[tmmby119]

yeah....he had nice off road truck with nice paint job, then decided to do a show truck, I guess and ended up selling the body and what not.....then spent somewhere around 2 and half K on the frame, axles, and lift kit and just park it in garage.....the only things bolted on the fresh powder coat were the springs and axles.....

The frame is now ready for the takings....

 

[tmmby119]

those are trailer wheels.....they look like almost new but the tires are done.