What front axle is this? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Wildstreak · 04-23-2009, 07:43 PM

Sorry for my ignorance, I just started doing some work on my farm truck and noticed it has a different style front end than I'm normally used to seeing. It has a what I can only think to describe as a closed knuckle.
What type of axle is this, and what years did it come in?
sorry for the poor picture its really dark out today

muddobber · 04-23-2009, 08:14 PM

dana 44 i think they stopped using the closed knuckles in 70. i would lose the front lift blocks though cause they'e dangerous

Wildstreak · 04-23-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddobber

dana 44 i think they stopped using the closed knuckles in 70. i would lose the front lift blocks though cause they'e dangerous

Yea I know those things are about to be removed, its just a farm truck right now, bought it like that, they're tube channels not even blocks lol

Wildstreak · 04-23-2009, 08:22 PM

Are parts for these harder to come by, if so should i just do an axle swap?

onlyifihadachevy · 04-23-2009, 08:31 PM

from my understanding closed knuckle parts are harder to find because not many people use them.

msgross · 04-23-2009, 08:59 PM

It's a closed knuckle drum brake dana 44 like my 68 had. You can bolt in any dana 44 or corp 10 bolt from any 1/2 or 3/4 ton chevy...

Then you open up a can of worms with disc brake conversion (prop valve, MC etc..) to include power steering swap but it would be worth it. Find a newer 71 and up chevy and take all the parts needed...

Or if it works fine then run what you got too...

Wildstreak · 04-23-2009, 09:11 PM

after sitting for three years the truck fired up like nothing, gotta love chevy!!! since I dont know what type of rig it will become, I'm just goin to replace things as they break, well that is except for the two barrel carb, thats gotta go asap!

msgross · 04-23-2009, 09:17 PM

Just make sure there is plenty of oil in the front axle since the entire tube is filled and tend to leak over time.

Wildstreak · 04-23-2009, 10:58 PM

the front drive shaft is broken right now so 4wd isnt working, but I will check that in the morn to make sure its full. Thanks for the heads up

msgross · 04-23-2009, 11:21 PM

If the hubs are not engaged then it won't matter... the front axle won't move or need oil...

Wildstreak · 04-23-2009, 11:30 PM

Thats what I thought, but i think I'll still take a gander at whats inside just incase

msgross · 04-24-2009, 07:02 PM

You can confirm gear ratio's then as well.. There should be a number on the ring gear like 41:11 or 41 divided by 11 = 3.727272 (3.73's) or whatever ration you have.

**Yukon Jack** · 04-24-2009, 09:50 PM

A nice benefit to changing to an open knuckle axle is a much better turning radius - I've got one truck with the closed knuckle and one with the open and the difference is pretty drastic.

19684x4k20 · 05-04-2009, 11:30 AM

I have a 1968 k20 closed knuckle i lifted it 6'' added a drag link still dont get a full right turn. cant find a steering arm or pitman arm to correct it "yet "

04-23-2009, 07:43 PM	#1
Wildstreak "something witty here" Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salmo, B.C, Canada Posts: 966	What front axle is this? Sorry for my ignorance, I just started doing some work on my farm truck and noticed it has a different style front end than I'm normally used to seeing. It has a what I can only think to describe as a closed knuckle. What type of axle is this, and what years did it come in? sorry for the poor picture its really dark out today Attached Images __________________ 57 chevy 4x4 70 swb fleetside 4x4 68 burb 2wd: 71 burb 2wd: 350 4spd 71 lwb fleetside 4x4: 350/sm465/205/3.07 eaton posi rear 72 lwb fleetside Cheyenne 454/th400 1991 GMC V3500 CC 4x4

04-23-2009, 08:14 PM	#2
muddobber muddobber Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: lavaca ar Posts: 78	Re: What front axle is this? dana 44 i think they stopped using the closed knuckles in 70. i would lose the front lift blocks though cause they'e dangerous

04-23-2009, 08:22 PM	#4
Wildstreak "something witty here" Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salmo, B.C, Canada Posts: 966	Re: What front axle is this? Are parts for these harder to come by, if so should i just do an axle swap? __________________ 57 chevy 4x4 70 swb fleetside 4x4 68 burb 2wd: 71 burb 2wd: 350 4spd 71 lwb fleetside 4x4: 350/sm465/205/3.07 eaton posi rear 72 lwb fleetside Cheyenne 454/th400 1991 GMC V3500 CC 4x4

04-23-2009, 08:31 PM	#5
onlyifihadachevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: seaside,ca Posts: 778	Re: What front axle is this? from my understanding closed knuckle parts are harder to find because not many people use them. __________________ 72 gmc 2500 2wd drive convert My 72 thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=346712 THe other truck, wheeler 69 1/2 4x4, yellow and rusty. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=350300

04-23-2009, 08:59 PM	#6
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: What front axle is this? It's a closed knuckle drum brake dana 44 like my 68 had. You can bolt in any dana 44 or corp 10 bolt from any 1/2 or 3/4 ton chevy... Then you open up a can of worms with disc brake conversion (prop valve, MC etc..) to include power steering swap but it would be worth it. Find a newer 71 and up chevy and take all the parts needed... Or if it works fine then run what you got too... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 04-23-2009 at 08:59 PM.

04-23-2009, 09:11 PM	#7
Wildstreak "something witty here" Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salmo, B.C, Canada Posts: 966	Re: What front axle is this? after sitting for three years the truck fired up like nothing, gotta love chevy!!! since I dont know what type of rig it will become, I'm just goin to replace things as they break, well that is except for the two barrel carb, thats gotta go asap! __________________ 57 chevy 4x4 70 swb fleetside 4x4 68 burb 2wd: 71 burb 2wd: 350 4spd 71 lwb fleetside 4x4: 350/sm465/205/3.07 eaton posi rear 72 lwb fleetside Cheyenne 454/th400 1991 GMC V3500 CC 4x4

04-23-2009, 09:17 PM	#8
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: What front axle is this? Just make sure there is plenty of oil in the front axle since the entire tube is filled and tend to leak over time. __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

04-23-2009, 10:58 PM	#9
Wildstreak "something witty here" Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salmo, B.C, Canada Posts: 966	Re: What front axle is this? the front drive shaft is broken right now so 4wd isnt working, but I will check that in the morn to make sure its full. Thanks for the heads up __________________ 57 chevy 4x4 70 swb fleetside 4x4 68 burb 2wd: 71 burb 2wd: 350 4spd 71 lwb fleetside 4x4: 350/sm465/205/3.07 eaton posi rear 72 lwb fleetside Cheyenne 454/th400 1991 GMC V3500 CC 4x4

04-23-2009, 11:21 PM	#10
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: What front axle is this? If the hubs are not engaged then it won't matter... the front axle won't move or need oil... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

04-23-2009, 11:30 PM	#11
Wildstreak "something witty here" Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salmo, B.C, Canada Posts: 966	Re: What front axle is this? Thats what I thought, but i think I'll still take a gander at whats inside just incase __________________ 57 chevy 4x4 70 swb fleetside 4x4 68 burb 2wd: 71 burb 2wd: 350 4spd 71 lwb fleetside 4x4: 350/sm465/205/3.07 eaton posi rear 72 lwb fleetside Cheyenne 454/th400 1991 GMC V3500 CC 4x4

04-24-2009, 07:02 PM	#12
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: What front axle is this? You can confirm gear ratio's then as well.. There should be a number on the ring gear like 41:11 or 41 divided by 11 = 3.727272 (3.73's) or whatever ration you have. __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

04-24-2009, 09:50 PM	#13
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Re: What front axle is this? A nice benefit to changing to an open knuckle axle is a much better turning radius - I've got one truck with the closed knuckle and one with the open and the difference is pretty drastic. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

05-04-2009, 11:30 AM	#14
19684x4k20 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: haiku maui Posts: 2	Re: What front axle is this? I have a 1968 k20 closed knuckle i lifted it 6'' added a drag link still dont get a full right turn. cant find a steering arm or pitman arm to correct it "yet "

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