1977 C20 front axle identification - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

yamaben · 02-23-2020, 10:18 AM

I inherited a 1977 Chevy 3/4 ton. SM465 four speed and NP205 transfer case. I know exactly what the rear axle is (14 bolt GM full floater) but I don't have much experience with the front axle and I want to ID it so I can get the thing sold.

It has manual locking hubs and I thought this year and model would be a Dana 60, but someone told me it is not a Dana 60. Can someone please point me in the right direction to try to figure out what front axles were installed in this year and model and then identify what this one is?

This is a one owner truck and I personally know that the owner ordered this truck and had never swapped out the axle. This is definitely all original equipment. I posted links to pictures of the hub and diff cover.

https://imgur.com/lC5UjjK

https://imgur.com/n8n0Iw8

https://imgur.com/MEuyOqI

geezer#99 · 02-23-2020, 10:27 AM

Looks like a Dana 44.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_4..._44_solid_axle

sweetk30 · 02-23-2020, 11:57 AM

first off your title c20 = 2wd 3/4 ton . k20 is what you have = 4wd 3/4 ton .

then 3/4 ton did not get a dana 60 front factory .

if it has ball 4 u-bolts on a square body gm 4x4 front its not a dana 60 . they use 3 u-bolts and 2 bolts in the pass side diff to make up for the 4th .

next its got ball joints = 1 big nut on each . dana 60 used king pins = 4 bolts or studs and nuts on each point .

that is a dana 44 front as the cover is shaped like a dana axle would be + ball joints + 4 u-bolts + hubs that do not fill the center hole of the rim 100% all adds up to a 3/4 ton front and dana 44 .

hope this info helped you and others later on .

yamaben · 02-23-2020, 12:12 PM

Ok. Thanks for the reply.

**THI** · 02-25-2020, 07:52 PM

That is a Dana 44. In 1977 GM started using the 10-bolt in the front, but still used the Dana 44 into the 1980 model year. I have owned a 1977 K20 with a Dana 44 front, and a 1979 K20 with a 10-bolt front, and currently have a 1978 K25 with the Dana 44 Front axle (soon to switched with a Dana 60).

02-23-2020, 10:18 AM	#1
yamaben Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Happyville Illinois Posts: 9	1977 C20 front axle identification I inherited a 1977 Chevy 3/4 ton. SM465 four speed and NP205 transfer case. I know exactly what the rear axle is (14 bolt GM full floater) but I don't have much experience with the front axle and I want to ID it so I can get the thing sold. It has manual locking hubs and I thought this year and model would be a Dana 60, but someone told me it is not a Dana 60. Can someone please point me in the right direction to try to figure out what front axles were installed in this year and model and then identify what this one is? This is a one owner truck and I personally know that the owner ordered this truck and had never swapped out the axle. This is definitely all original equipment. I posted links to pictures of the hub and diff cover. https://imgur.com/lC5UjjK https://imgur.com/n8n0Iw8 https://imgur.com/MEuyOqI

02-23-2020, 10:27 AM	#2
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,731	Re: 1977 C20 front axle identification Looks like a Dana 44. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_4..._44_solid_axle

02-23-2020, 11:57 AM	#3
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: 1977 C20 front axle identification first off your title c20 = 2wd 3/4 ton . k20 is what you have = 4wd 3/4 ton . then 3/4 ton did not get a dana 60 front factory . if it has ball 4 u-bolts on a square body gm 4x4 front its not a dana 60 . they use 3 u-bolts and 2 bolts in the pass side diff to make up for the 4th . next its got ball joints = 1 big nut on each . dana 60 used king pins = 4 bolts or studs and nuts on each point . that is a dana 44 front as the cover is shaped like a dana axle would be + ball joints + 4 u-bolts + hubs that do not fill the center hole of the rim 100% all adds up to a 3/4 ton front and dana 44 . hope this info helped you and others later on . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

02-23-2020, 12:12 PM	#4
yamaben Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Happyville Illinois Posts: 9	Re: 1977 C20 front axle identification Ok. Thanks for the reply.

02-25-2020, 07:52 PM	#5
THI Active Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 194	Re: 1977 C20 front axle identification That is a Dana 44. In 1977 GM started using the 10-bolt in the front, but still used the Dana 44 into the 1980 model year. I have owned a 1977 K20 with a Dana 44 front, and a 1979 K20 with a 10-bolt front, and currently have a 1978 K25 with the Dana 44 Front axle (soon to switched with a Dana 60).



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