Axle questions... "If/Then, Pros/Cons"

[Brad54]

Sigh... nothing is ever just simple!

I'm accumulating parts for a '62 K10 build.
It's going to be a simple off-road truck-- I won't be doing any rock-crawling. Light to medium trails, hunting deep in the woods, fence maintenance and limb clearing in farm pastures and such.

I have a factory Dana 44 rear with 3.55 and posi that I plan to go through (including rebuild the posi unit).
I've got two closed-knuckle fronts, but I just found an open-knuckle, manual hub disc brake 44 for $250--brakes and turning radius are the benefits there. I'll still have to rebuild it, and upgrade to a posi unit, and probably replace the gears since I doubt they'll match the 3.55 I have in the rear.

Factory skinny 6-lug steelies, which I love. (I've already got a pair of 4-nub for the front discs)

I just found a pair of 3/4-ton axles from a '85 K20, for $450.
8-lug, 10-bolt front and 14-bolt rear, 3.42 gears, Gov Loc in rear, manual hubs up front.

I've got 3.42 gears in my '61 Suburban with a 4spd OD, and I've got a 4spd OD for the K10 as well--I like that combination.

Pros:
Beefier rear axle, 8-bolt, matching gears front and rear so I won't have to buy new ones (save money).

Cons: $450 vs $250 for the Dana 44 I found. (I don't know what I'd be able to get when I sell the GMC leaf-spring Dana 44 I already have).
Gov Loc rear... bad reputation. Will eventually have to be replaced. It's a '85, so I don't know how much life is left in it now.
Wheels: I've got the 6-bolt Pizza Cutters, I'd have to find a set of 8-bolt Pizza Cutters, and that'll be a pain. Probably a wash, money-wise, as I can sell my collection of six-bolt wheels. (four 3-nub, two 4-nub, and four 15x8 4-nub)

SO, if you guys were going to build a light trail rig that'll also be your daily driver, would you keep going down the Dana 44 path once you were on it like I am, or would you change direction and go with the 10-bolt front and 14-bolt rear?

-Brad

['63GENIII]

14BFF and the Corporate front IMO. IIRC, the front 10 bolt is very similar to a 44.

If you had a D60 out back already, Id say stick with the 44 front. But for a rear axle, I would prefer something more durable than a 44.

Since the 10 bolt and 14 bolt are a matched set, Id rock those. As far as the Gov Loc, Ive heard good and bad. I don't wheel my truck hard at all and am pretty easy on it on the street. Never heard it even lock up. Haven't had problems with it yet.

[61K10]

brad-- If you go with the 8 lug axles ck out these wheels. they are 16x6 8 lug. I have the 16x6 6 lug on my tk. they are 3 nubs and are black power coated, and will except 1/2" or 9/16" wheel studs. They are dot legal also. $63.95 ea. spend over $100 is free shipping. I have a set of 15/8 6lg that are real lite weight compared to these rims.

dexstar wheels-- etrailer is the (web site)

[b454rat]

What kind of 14 bolt is it? A full floater I wouldn't worry too much bout it, semi might be cautious. But also depends how you use it. But the sounds of it your not gonna be anything hard core, so prolly be fine. I have a 14sf in my 99 with over 200k on it, and grenade lock still works!!!

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by b454rat

What kind of 14 bolt is it? A full floater I wouldn't worry too much bout it, semi might be cautious. But also depends how you use it. But the sounds of it your not gonna be anything hard core, so prolly be fine. I have a 14sf in my 99 with over 200k on it, and grenade lock still works!!!

It's a semi-floating rear axle.

If it's still available after the next NE GA swap meet (meaning I'll have some money!), I'll probably jump on them.

Thanks for the input guys!

-Brad

[Brad54]

63GENIII and 61K10--I REALLY like your trucks. They're exactly the look I'm going for with mine: factory, with some mechanical upgrades.
'62 K10 long-step. I've got a wrap-around rear bumper, and plan a front bumper based off the factory piece, with the winch set back into the grill surround. I'll use factory accessory bumper guards to bookend the fairlead rollers.

61K10--if I end up getting the 8-lug axles, I'll definitely go with those 16x6 steel wheels.
Do you know if they'll clear front disc brakes?

-Brad

[61K10]

Yes i have them on mine with disc brakes (put disc on my closed knuckle) my disc are off a 75 k10, but i thank 3/4t were the same. Maybe someone here will chime in.

[b454rat]

Brake stands and rotors are slightly bigger than 1/2 stuff. If 15" wheels fit on 3/4 ton 16" should fit fine.

[61K10]

Looks like they use the same calipers and yes the rotors are a little bigger.

[special-K]

Never seen any 8-lug wheel have an issue clearing calipers. I've run 15" wagon wheels on a '71 K20. I had to grind the casting seam on the caliper a little bit.

I think going with the 8-lug stuff makes most sense. I'd think the Dana44 could go for more than you paid for it, you're saving labor/cost of gear swap parts, ending up with a way better rear axle, and 8-lugs are just cooler, right?

The G80 isn't an off road posi. It's what the factory offers for their vehicles that they expect to hold up to the vehicle's intended use by the most people...just like everything else. It's bad for any part to get "banged" into engagement. That's why lockers are good for off road, always locked. You need to understand the ball ramp design. Once you realize you are spinning you let up to a slower spin for a second till you feel it engage, then you can give it all you want...if need be of course

[HO455]

Two things come to mind for consideration in this decision. How much torque is your engine expected to produce? And how large of a tire are you planning on running? Wider tires mean more traction which loads the drive train more. Taller tires have more leverage against the drive train. If your planning on staying with something like a 750- 16 or its closest metric 235/85/16 and keeping the torque rating in the 300 pound/foot range and not hauling heavy loads then you should be fine with the 44's. Let's not forget that they were heavy duty rear ends in their day. And if you stay in the envelope that they were designed for you will be fine. My dad drove his 69 C20 4x4 to work in the woods (he was a logger) every day 60-100 miles round trip year round with 100 gallon diesel tank and a tool box four men couldn't move without drive train problems until he traded it in 73. (He got a new Dodge for the club cab and had lots of problem with drive lines and transfer cases)

['63GENIII]

Well put HO455.