axle swap question
 

I have a 71 Blazer with 3/4 ton axles Dana 44 front and 60 rear
4.56 gears 35" tires. I just got it back from the tranny shop and he said my front was in bad shape bearings are toast and possibly the ring and pinion as well. He suggested I get a Dana 60 front with High pinion. So my question is will only 67-72 work or what year axles would fit, chevy only or will dodge work as well anything I need to lookout for when hunting one down?

Re: axle swap question
 

Chevy and dodge axles are interchangeable. For the dodge there might be some simple mods for the conversion. Make sure its a passenger drop. Meaning the pumpkin is on the passenger side. To be safe measure the spring perches. Good luck finding a dana 60 front. They aren't cheap.

Re: axle swap question
 

what kind of wheeling do you do?

high pinion dana 60's are a Ford-only item, to run one you will either have to re-tube the axle to get the pumpkin on the right side or swap to a ford transfer case to get driver's drop.

dodge or chevy 60's will bolt right up to your springs now, and you might have to change brake hoses, and the dodge will have a different u-joint. any chevy front axle will work for you, and any modern dodge leaf-spring front axle will work as well.

regardless, if you aren't doing crazy offroading or run big tires (38"+) you most likely do not need a 60 of any kind. In a rig with small tires it will cost you a little ground clearance and D60's arent exactly light, either. if that is the case, i suggest tearing the frontend apart to see what the problem is, and go from there.

Re: axle swap question
 

Thanks for the info very informative, I really don't know much about it. As far as wheeling goes right now after getting the truck restored I probably won't be doing any for a while so I'm not too concerned about a quick fix. I did notice I could get a used Dana 44 for $300-500 and the Dana 60s were over $1000 I'm not huge off-roader I do logging roads and the sand dunes nothing extreme for sure. So maybe the better idea would be just get a used Dana 44.

Re: axle swap question
 

Another question what should I expect to pay for a good used complete axle vs having the existing one repaired (new bearings and ring and pinion) is it something I can do myself or do you have to have a specialty shop do it?

Re: axle swap question
 

Definately rebuild the one you got...you'll probably have to rebuild the one you buy anyways. Outer bearings and u-joints are a DIY project....inner pumpkin stuff not so much but doable I guess. Besides you really don't know what shape the pumpkin is in anyways.

Re: axle swap question
 

the tranny shop quoted me $500 just to do the pumpkin bearings not sure how much more for the ring and pinion probably just parts as the labor is already there to R&R it. The outer wheel bearings I've already replaced and the u-joints look good so it is the disassembly of the ring and pinion and the bearings behind it that need done.

Re: axle swap question
 

If back roads and sand is all your are planning, then I would stick with the Dana 44. If you are planning on some hard core rock crawling or mud bogging, with a lot of HP and torque going through those axles, then I would consider a Dana 60. I would think for a strong rebuild it will probably run in you about $1500, unless you already have a locker.

Re: axle swap question
 

youcan always drop the spindles and axle yourselfto save some labor... alt of labor.. if all they have to do is the center sectionthe price will drop ALOT.. and also gather the parts you WANT and need before going to the shop again.. the parts markup is also going to kill you..
but a d44 is more then enough to support your 35's..
i am currently running 37's on a corp 10 front, but luckily it's reaaaally low gears... im still at risk of breaking it..
the D44 is a good strong midrange axle.. it will last you a good long time after you rebuild it....
now the way i see d60's and 70's is with all the current super flashy truck magazines, it's rubbed off on us like teenage girls get that barbiedoll complex. They have convinced alot of men that all they need is the biggest and baddest....
..........
"yeah what ever", if you know, love, and can drive your truck you will respect it and drive it within your own personal abilities you wil not need to "bullet proof" every part while paying top dollar for it..
it's gotten ridiculous the past few years...

so long story short, in my opinion rebuild the d44, because getting a d 60 and matching the gears to your rear end will be expensive also, then you'll end up wanting to rebuild the rear end also so it's in as good of shape as the front..

good luck