Axle swap question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dan72cst · 09-26-2003, 09:58 AM

I am fairly new to the 4x4 world and have a question. I have a project 68 K20 that has a closed nuckle drum brake dana 44 (i think) up front and an Eaton in the back. I found a screaming deal on a corporate 14 bolt for the rear (4:10 ratio). What would be a good disk brake open nuckle front axle to swap in and what vehicles/years did they come in? I've heard Dana 60 fronts are the ultimate, but don't really want to spend that kind of cash. Thanks

**JIMs70GMC** · 09-26-2003, 12:26 PM

71 or newer for open knuckle/disc. 73 or newer same as 71/72 except the u-joint is larger. These are dana44. Or a 8 lug 10 bolt from 78 or newer there about. One thing to watch the caliper banjo fitting changed from standard to metric at some point, so the brake lines are not interchangeable if you get the wrong one. You will not be able to use the drum brake lines(flexible).

Dan72cst · 09-26-2003, 02:10 PM

Thanks JIMs70GMC,

So a Dana 44 or 10 bolt. Do you know what year would most likely have 4:10 or how to tell quickly without pulling the cover?

Can you tell easily if the brake lines are metric or not?

1969 GMC · 09-26-2003, 06:07 PM

551 ivory/gold? isn't that a 50th??
I want some pics!!

Also, the 10 bolt replaced the dana 44 but I think the 44 is stronger. 4.10 is a common gear ration in 3/4 4x4's.

ckhd · 09-26-2003, 06:20 PM

ME TOO! I've been told there aren't any K20 50th anniversaries out there! I want a glovebox sticker pic too!

1969 GMC · 09-26-2003, 11:59 PM

ckhd, check out longhorn man's website...there is a pic of K20 50th on there somewhere. they are really rare.

Dan72cst · 09-27-2003, 02:14 AM

I'll try a picture of the build sheet....Its the second option from the bottom on the right hand side.

The PO stripped and painted the glove box door, so no sticker.

It really didn't have a lot of options for a 50th, but had the two tone paint scheme and is a Custom and best of all its a K20.

I don't have any pictures of it. It really is a basket. Completely stripped, bed full of parts, The frame is painted, waiting to go back together.

1969 GMC · 09-27-2003, 02:03 PM

i just read somewhere else on the board that it needs to be a Custom or CST to have the 50th package. Sounds like you have one!

ckhd · 09-27-2003, 04:41 PM

Actually, the exterior and interior colors are the only requirements for a 50th. It seems that most are customs and CSTs, or custom campers, etc... It also seems that they either have a 327 or a 396, AC, etc... I think that people who special ordered them, or the dealers that ordered the 50th package also wanted bells and whistles to go with it.

09-26-2003, 09:58 AM	#1
Dan72cst Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lake Stevens,WA 98258 North of Seattle Posts: 833	Axle swap question I am fairly new to the 4x4 world and have a question. I have a project 68 K20 that has a closed nuckle drum brake dana 44 (i think) up front and an Eaton in the back. I found a screaming deal on a corporate 14 bolt for the rear (4:10 ratio). What would be a good disk brake open nuckle front axle to swap in and what vehicles/years did they come in? I've heard Dana 60 fronts are the ultimate, but don't really want to spend that kind of cash. Thanks __________________ Marysville, WA (Dan72cst@hotmail.com) 72 4wd Blazer CST 350/350 72 4wd Chevy LWB 350/350 68 2wd Chevy LWB 327/400

09-26-2003, 12:26 PM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	71 or newer for open knuckle/disc. 73 or newer same as 71/72 except the u-joint is larger. These are dana44. Or a 8 lug 10 bolt from 78 or newer there about. One thing to watch the caliper banjo fitting changed from standard to metric at some point, so the brake lines are not interchangeable if you get the wrong one. You will not be able to use the drum brake lines(flexible). __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

09-26-2003, 02:10 PM	#3
Dan72cst Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lake Stevens,WA 98258 North of Seattle Posts: 833	Thanks JIMs70GMC, So a Dana 44 or 10 bolt. Do you know what year would most likely have 4:10 or how to tell quickly without pulling the cover? Can you tell easily if the brake lines are metric or not? __________________ Marysville, WA (Dan72cst@hotmail.com) 72 4wd Blazer CST 350/350 72 4wd Chevy LWB 350/350 68 2wd Chevy LWB 327/400

09-26-2003, 06:07 PM	#4
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	551 ivory/gold? isn't that a 50th?? I want some pics!! Also, the 10 bolt replaced the dana 44 but I think the 44 is stronger. 4.10 is a common gear ration in 3/4 4x4's. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

09-26-2003, 06:20 PM	#5
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	ME TOO! I've been told there aren't any K20 50th anniversaries out there! I want a glovebox sticker pic too! __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

09-26-2003, 11:59 PM	#6
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	ckhd, check out longhorn man's website...there is a pic of K20 50th on there somewhere. they are really rare. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

09-27-2003, 02:14 AM	#7
Dan72cst Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lake Stevens,WA 98258 North of Seattle Posts: 833	I'll try a picture of the build sheet....Its the second option from the bottom on the right hand side. The PO stripped and painted the glove box door, so no sticker. It really didn't have a lot of options for a 50th, but had the two tone paint scheme and is a Custom and best of all its a K20. I don't have any pictures of it. It really is a basket. Completely stripped, bed full of parts, The frame is painted, waiting to go back together. Attached Images __________________ Marysville, WA (Dan72cst@hotmail.com) 72 4wd Blazer CST 350/350 72 4wd Chevy LWB 350/350 68 2wd Chevy LWB 327/400

09-27-2003, 02:03 PM	#8
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	i just read somewhere else on the board that it needs to be a Custom or CST to have the 50th package. Sounds like you have one! __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

09-27-2003, 04:41 PM	#9
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Actually, the exterior and interior colors are the only requirements for a 50th. It seems that most are customs and CSTs, or custom campers, etc... It also seems that they either have a 327 or a 396, AC, etc... I think that people who special ordered them, or the dealers that ordered the 50th package also wanted bells and whistles to go with it. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

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