Dana 44 Original Steering Arm

[aotte1]

Just got a new to me Dana 44 which came from a 1978 4x4, this will be going in a 1964 K10. I am questioning the steering arm as not being original.
I call the "steering arm" where the rear drag link connects, not sure what the technical term for it is. The one on this Dana 44 is straight out parallel to the axle which I think is incorrect. Photos of this Dana 44 are first and a 1983 10 bolt second below. Should it curve and be perpendicular to the front axle like the one, on the 10 bolt? Diagrams of 44 parts show it like the 10 bolt photo too.


The one on this axle could be from a lift kit?? Also, the front part of drag link is non stock and all welded up of different non stock parts.
thanks,
Les

[argonaut]

Wow, I've never seen one like that. The lifted steering arms that I have have the same shape as your second picture except that they twist upward instead of downward life the stock ones.
I'm curious to see what it is from?

[19silverado77]

Yeah should be like the second except raised for a lift. The first I don't know but possibly crossover steer?

[enaberif]

The first one is completely wrong but that could be a dana44 for something like a Jeep or Ferd.

The second one is the correct one for a truck without a lift kit and when you do have a lift it goes up.

[Captainfab]

Yeah the one in the 1st pic definitely is not for a GM that I have seen

A Dana 44 from a Ford would be a drivers side center section. I wonder if it might be for a Dodge?

Does the Dana 44 have 6 lug hubs?

[aotte1]

It is 6 lugs and it has chevy full time axle hubs. It came out of a 1978 chevy truck. From looking at it, the steering arm looks like it could have been replaced. The nuts holding it on, look a little chewed up, where as, all the other bolts/nuts look like they have not been touched.

I will replace the steering arm, and drag link assembly.

Will do more research soon, take off cover and see if GM gears inside. The spring pads are correct for Chevy, it has a Chevy K10 sway bar, and the shock mounts look correct too.

thanks for all the info,
Les

[sawman]

looks maybe ihc international

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by aotte1

It is 6 lugs and it has chevy full time axle hubs. It came out of a 1978 chevy truck. From looking at it, the steering arm looks like it could have been replaced. The nuts holding it on, look a little chewed up, where as, all the other bolts/nuts look like they have not been touched.

I will replace the steering arm, and drag link assembly.

Will do more research soon, take off cover and see if GM gears inside. The spring pads are correct for Chevy, it has a Chevy K10 sway bar, and the shock mounts look correct too.

thanks for all the info,
Les

1978 also wouldn't be a dana44 but instead a 10bolt or corporate axle. So I would also be looking at the front diff cover and counting the bolts to see what you really have.

[special-K]

Steering arm is correct terminology. '78 could still be a Dana 44. I could be wrong, but I believe all 10-bolt started in or about 1980. But this axle probably didn't start out in a GM(?). Could it be AMC? I always thought they had narrower axles, but they did run the same lug pattern...and who knows what all for various drivetrain components. They were all over the place with parts sourcing. I guess the front is where it was modified to work on a GM. Is the front of the drag link modified or the part in front of it (pitman arm) that is attached to the steering box (sector shaft). Looks like nothing different about how it bolts to the axle, so a simple swap back to correct parts (did you hear that Mr. P.O. Cobblemaster?)

[aotte1]

Tim,

Yes, it is the front of the drag link that is modified, it has a front drag link section that looks like a 1964 Dana 44 welded in to the drag link center section.
Will get photo and post later, thinking, thinking, is the incorrect steering arm similar to my 1964 Dana 64. Never really studied it much, just removed. Will look at it too.

Thanks everybody for your help.

Les

[sawman]

still looks like dana 44 part off a international could be off a 60s truck or scout ll,danas in scouts you could change over easy to fit chevy,i think some you could swap hubs to a chevy 6 lug hub,fit perfectly,chevy/fords/ihc/ect used dana 44s too,could be amc as they used international parts as some internationals had amc motors,

[special-K]

I'm wondering how your truck is set-up now. The steering changed with the open knuckle axle coming out in '70. Before that the steering box/drag link was totally different. You need the '70-up steering box and drag link to put it all together as factory. What steering box/pitman arm is on yours now? Can I see a picture of this modified drag link to solve my curiosity? Looking t that odd steering arm I'm thinking it could work... and be better for a truck with 4" lift? I mean, when you lift the truck you have to extend the drag link. It looks like this arm will put the mounting point forward so the drag link assembly can be closer to original length

[aotte1]

Tim,

I believe you are right that the different steering arm and drag link addition to the 1978 Dana 44, makes it fit a 64' to 66' K10 with a small lift. The first photo below shows the modified drag link. Drag link is pointed in wrong direction in photo, needs to go forward..

Now what I am doing, or going to in the 1964 K10, is the addition of newer axle from 1973 to 1987 to add power steering, disk brakes, and front sway bar. Using CaptainFabs PS conversion bracket, a 1983 K10 PS gear box, and 1978 Dana 44 ( the third photo below show both tac welded and bolted to frame, used a 83' 10 bolt to set up all the geometry, as I did not yet have my super clean AZ Dana 44 yet, wanted Dana 44 as it looks more original then 10 bolt). Also, FYI, the 83 gear box has about 3.5 turns lock to lock.

The second photo shows the Borgeson universal joints and shaft for safety and tighter steering, eliminating rag joint ( expensive).

The forth photo shows the original 1964 dana 44 with steering arm, drag link assembly, and gear box. Kind of hard to see whole drag link as gear box folded back on it. Will take better pictures and post them of original Dana 44 soon.

Putting everything together and making sure it works, before starting restoration.

Les

[special-K]

What they did looks like it did the trick. This has been an interesting thread

[obijuan]

For what it's worth, OPs original arm shown is a late 70s f250 steering arm.

[aotte1]

Obijuan,
Thanks for the information, would likely be helpful for others who want to put the newer Dana 44 or 10 bolt into a 64 to 66 K 10 with original steering gear box and lift. This would give them a source of parts they could use to easily make this swap.

Will look closer at the front part of the drag link and pitman arm to see if they matches the original 64 ones and post photo later, that way we will have a complete list of parts used.

Thanks,
Les

[Tyler1968]

............

[aotte1]

Follow-up on drag link front piece which was attached to the 1978 Dana 44, it looks the same as the one on the 1964 K10 Dana 44.

The pitman arm also looks the same as the original 64, in configuration/measurement. The shape is a little different, however, it functions the same.

Les

[1957Napcofan]

So does anyone know for sure what steering arm is in the picture?

[obijuan]

I'm still pretty sure it's a 77-79 f250 steering arm.

[1957Napcofan]

The F250 arm is more like the Chevy but not as tight of a "C"

[b454rat]

It looks like its "longer", from b/j to hole. Maybe an aftermarket piece for a lifted truck with no power steering? I have a stock F250 arm somewhere I can get a pic....

[1957Napcofan]

I spent a few hours looking online to find out what the arm is from but no luck.