original axles

[feller]

I bought a 72 roller for parts, P.O. put newer axles under it 44front and 14 bolt out back, was the 14 bolt available in a 72? I really would rather have the 60 ho72 combo but you don't see those everyday, and parts and gear ratios are kinda tough, I would like the ability to drive everyday without putting a set of 38's on it.

[argonaut]

Corporate 14 bolts were introduced in 1973. Is this a 3/4 ton or 1 ton?

[andrewmp6]

If the 14 bolt is a full float you can sell it and make a few bucks.

[68panelman]

You will be better off with the 14 bolt. Like you said parts are hard to come by for the Eaton rears. Try finding new drums or bearings for them.

[feller]

I'm unsure of the axles I have right now, just knew they weren't original to the truck, but didn't know if 14 bolt was an option in 72, my truck is actually a 1/2 ton but wanting to put 3/4 axles under it and call it a k20

[special-K]

If you have a 14-bolt in the rear I'd leave it. If you have a Dana44 in front you have what the '72 came with, but smaller hubs seen. It could be a 10-bolt which is pretty equal. All thhe 10-20 series 4wds used the same axle in front with 8-lug on 20s

[andrewmp6]

Take some pictures of the axles we can id them.

[argonaut]

In your first post you mention 60 and ho72. Those would be 1 ton axles. It confused me and I thought maybe you were trying to make a hybrid 1 ton pickup.

I also agree that removing the 14 bolt would be a step backwards unless you are going for a factory restoration.

[gerfunken]

Originally Posted by argonaut

In your first post you mention 60 and ho72. Those would be 1 ton axles. It confused me and I thought maybe you were trying to make a hybrid 1 ton pickup.

I also agree that removing the 14 bolt would be a step backwards unless you are going for a factory restoration.

I didn't think that there was a 1-ton 4x4 from 67-72, but a 3/4-ton would have used the 8-lug Dana-44 up front and the Eaton HO52 in the rear. Mind you, it's been a while since I searched for specifics in the forum. I thought that the HO72 was 1-ton and up, and typically had like 4:10 - 5:13 gearing.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by gerfunken

I didn't think that there was a 1-ton 4x4 from 67-72, but a 3/4-ton would have used the 8-lug Dana-44 up front and the Eaton HO52 in the rear. Mind you, it's been a while since I searched for specifics in the forum. I thought that the HO72 was 1-ton and up, and typically had like 4:10 - 5:13 gearing.

I've never seen 67-72 K30 either (not to say that they don't exist) that's why I thought maybe the OP was going for a "hybrid" setup.

[feller]

OK I was a little confused about the 72/52 thing, what are the major differences between them, I know 3/4 and 1 ton, I mean internal and external stuff

[gerfunken]

Originally Posted by feller

OK I was a little confused about the 72/52 thing, what are the major differences between them, I know 3/4 and 1 ton, I mean internal and external stuff

I'm not entirely certain that I can give you a single specific answer. Before I swapped my rear-end out, I did a bunch of research since you couldn't find parts for the old Eaton rear-ends any more. I found that there are some places that do still make a bolt-on disk conversion for the rear, but I was reluctant to go that direction. Among the reasoning was that you couldn't find different gears or bearings for it directly, and you'd need to do a lot of research to get matching parts. Since I'd planned on going diesel, I knew that I couldn't survive with 4:10 gears... I'd never get above 55MPH.

Anyway, Google provides the best places to get answers.

[feller]

Yeah the gears are a big reason I don't really want an Eaton, I wasn't too worried about parts cause the way I understand it is that its hard to break them, and I've read that with the right stuff you can run 14 bolt shafts and apparently the 14 bolt disk kit can work too, this is just what I understand from my reading

[special-K]

Some HO52s have the side load bolt in the front of the differential housing and all HO72s do. The only other difference is in the backing plates-out...or the brakes and bearings. 14-bolts and later front Dana 44s, as well as 10-bolt, can be found with 3.73s and even 3.42s (or other tall ratio there abouts). I don't think Dana 44s went taller than 3.73

[feller]

Yeah I would like to stick around 3.73 or so, planning on running a 33" tire and that combo is not too bad on gas