1970 k10 k20 front disc conversion

[bris-k20]

Okay first and foremost, yes I know how to use the search button. I’ve searched and searched and searched for the past year, but I still have some questions. If I managed to miss these answers in other posts then I apologize.

1970 k20, D44 open knuckle manual drums. Two options, find a donor from 71 and up and complete swap, or find donor and swap knuckle out. From my research easiest is doing complete swap. BUT, what if, as in my situation, know that the front axle is in good/working shape. Brakes are even actually in good shape, but I’ve already done conversion on rear(HO52, couldn’t find drums so did disc conversion from ruff stuff).i already have a complete donor from a 73’ k20.

So my two questions. I don’t know the history of this donor axle, other then it sat on a Pallet outside a barn for however long. It still had fluid in it, which from research is better then one without fluid. But I’m going to want to go through and do new ball joints, calipers, etc. if I’m going to tear it down to do ball joints, isn’t that about how far you have to go to do the “knuckle out” swap? I could be wrong, this is the first time jumping in this pool. But if I’m going to be tearing it down that far would it just be as easy to do the knuckle out swap on to an axle I know is good/ working condition?

Second question. Donor axle has the larger hubs. From what little I’ve seen these are better? But if I were to do the “knuckle out” swap, would it still work? Or do I have to swap actual axles? I looked this evening(truck is at a buddies house while we rebuild the motor) and it seemed it was just the actual hub part was the difference, the part of the axle it bolts to seemed the same size(just from eyeballing).

So long story short, which is the best route? What have y’all done? I haven’t seen any details on any swaps other then people say “swap the whole axle”. And this post is partly to help any others now and future to reference to for knowledge. I know there’s already a current post of k10 disc converison, just didn’t want to hijack that thread, and plenty others covering the basics. Just hoping for some more detailed responses. Thanks for your time.