axle info - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wood78 · 01-28-2005, 07:02 PM

i was just wondering what kind of rear axle is in my truck, it is a 70 chev 3/4 ton 4x4. the diff cover is round and smooth and i believe the center section can be unbolted. i'm not sure on the center section part because i haven't seen the truck for a couple of years. its at my parents, a couple states away. the reason i'm asking is because i am thinking about working on the truck this summer and was wondering if it is a good strong axle or if i should look for a replacement. i also think that it had drum brakes in the front and was wondering if it would be better to change them over to discs or just find a different axle that already has them. thanks for any help you might be able to give me.

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-28-2005, 07:03 PM

SOUNDS LIKE A HO 52, I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 01-28-2005, 07:15 PM

Yep it is the HO52. There's nothing wrong with that rear end, they're damn hard to mess up. Drum brakes in the front are OK, but disc brakes help out a lot with stopping power. If you want to keep it original, there's nothing wrong with keeping the drum brakes.

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-28-2005, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert1970C20rstbukt

Yep it is the HO52

WOW, I'M RIGHT, I'M FINALLY GETTING BETTER AT THIS STUFF

Longhorn Man · 01-28-2005, 07:18 PM

The HO52 (eaton diff in a corp axle) is a very good axle...however, anything you'd replace in it is getting pretty expensive.
Welcome to the board from central Ohio...where you located at?

wood78 · 01-28-2005, 07:47 PM

what's the HO stand for. i was guessing parts would be expensive. do you guys think i should keep it, or do you think it would be more cost effective to go with something else. i'm planning on running at least a 35" tire. i'm from minnesota, twincities area but the truck is in michigan right now buried under about 4' of snow.

Longhorn Man · 01-28-2005, 09:40 PM

No idea what the HO is for.
The brakes on my rear axle cost me so much that I refuse to do another brake job on them.
So that gives me 2 or 3 years to figure if I want to slip a later one ton suspention under there, or convert to a 5 lug 1/2 ton set up.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 01-28-2005, 10:29 PM

Rebuilding all the brakes on my truck was cheap. A set of HD 2 3/4" wide shoes was about $25 and the wheel cylinder rebuild kits were about $5 each. The front shoes were replaced right before my truck had been parked in '96 so they're still good. I should have replaced all the wheel cylinders because they're original and wore out but I couldn't afford that at the time so I just rebuilt 'em instead.

Americanrider · 01-29-2005, 03:10 AM

Welcome to the board wood, take a look:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=137643

**special-K** · 01-29-2005, 07:36 AM

Keep the Corporate rear.All parts cost too much for everything.Don`t let it get to where the drums are cut or kill the bearings and cost is digestible.Drums are cool.They`re good enough for big rigs.Ome thing is,when GM went to discs in`71,they also went to the modern"open-knuckle"design.Turns sharper and parts may be easier,not sure.All the GM solid-type front axles are very swappable.

1969 GMC · 01-29-2005, 06:26 PM

The '70 front drums are hard to find because they are a one year only item. Ask Jims70GMC, he has dealt with this problem. My advice would be to swap in a disc braked dana 44.

wood78 · 01-30-2005, 11:22 AM

thanks for the help. does anybody know of a site that has parts for the ho52 and some more info on them. just want to find out as much stuff as i can before i start working on the truck this spring. will a front axle out of a 73-87 be a direct bolt in on these trucks?

**JIMs70GMC** · 01-30-2005, 11:31 AM

I ended up finding used drums for my 70. Going strong after 2 yrs and over 30000 miles. But when these are done, I'm going disc. You can swap in any GM solid front axle from 71 and up. Direct bolt in just need to remember what you put in for future reference. Will need to change brake lines also.

P.S. The 1970 front axles are open knuckle w/ drums, one year only.

As far as info on the H052/H072, the best info I found has been on this site.

1969 GMC · 01-30-2005, 01:19 PM

there is some good info on pirate4x4 about the eaton as well, but the bad thing is that everyone calls it something different. Eaton, H072, H052, 10 bolt, corporate full floater, corporate drop out third. you just gotta sift through the crap.

Rod · 01-30-2005, 04:17 PM

H0 is just reference to the RPO ( regular production option) number... they all started with HO in this series of RPO'S...HO52, H072, H0110....the number go higher as you get into higher gvw ranges.

HO52 being 3/4 ton
H072 being 1 ton typically
H0110 being 11/2 ton etc.
and upward

ABHaulR · 01-30-2005, 09:49 PM

i thought that the 52 was 1/2 ton and the 72 was 3/4 ton. i have a ho72 in my 72 sub, you cant get any other gears for it, other than 4:10 or 4:56. that is why i'll be putting in a 14ff for the avail. of gears and the ease of a disc brake conversion.
Dwayne

Longhorn Man · 01-30-2005, 09:59 PM

A chevy 12 bolt was standard in the half ton trucks with a dana being avalible.

1969 GMC · 01-31-2005, 12:29 AM

the 52 was the 3/4 ton version, and 72 the 1 ton model. you can also get 5.14 gears for your axle Duane.

the H110 was an optional axle in the 1 ton models that is considerably bigger than the 52 or 72. It has a 12.25" ring gear, and the diff cover is welded on vs bolted for the smaller models.

01-28-2005, 07:02 PM	#1
wood78 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: maple grove, mn Posts: 3	axle info i was just wondering what kind of rear axle is in my truck, it is a 70 chev 3/4 ton 4x4. the diff cover is round and smooth and i believe the center section can be unbolted. i'm not sure on the center section part because i haven't seen the truck for a couple of years. its at my parents, a couple states away. the reason i'm asking is because i am thinking about working on the truck this summer and was wondering if it is a good strong axle or if i should look for a replacement. i also think that it had drum brakes in the front and was wondering if it would be better to change them over to discs or just find a different axle that already has them. thanks for any help you might be able to give me.

01-28-2005, 07:03 PM	#2
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,476	SOUNDS LIKE A HO 52, I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

01-28-2005, 07:15 PM	#3
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	Yep it is the HO52. There's nothing wrong with that rear end, they're damn hard to mess up. Drum brakes in the front are OK, but disc brakes help out a lot with stopping power. If you want to keep it original, there's nothing wrong with keeping the drum brakes. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

01-28-2005, 10:29 PM	#8
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	Rebuilding all the brakes on my truck was cheap. A set of HD 2 3/4" wide shoes was about $25 and the wheel cylinder rebuild kits were about $5 each. The front shoes were replaced right before my truck had been parked in '96 so they're still good. I should have replaced all the wheel cylinders because they're original and wore out but I couldn't afford that at the time so I just rebuilt 'em instead. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

01-29-2005, 07:36 AM	#10
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,861	Keep the Corporate rear.All parts cost too much for everything.Don`t let it get to where the drums are cut or kill the bearings and cost is digestible.Drums are cool.They`re good enough for big rigs.Ome thing is,when GM went to discs in`71,they also went to the modern"open-knuckle"design.Turns sharper and parts may be easier,not sure.All the GM solid-type front axles are very swappable. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-28-2005, 07:18 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	The HO52 (eaton diff in a corp axle) is a very good axle...however, anything you'd replace in it is getting pretty expensive. Welcome to the board from central Ohio...where you located at?

01-28-2005, 07:47 PM	#6
wood78 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: maple grove, mn Posts: 3	what's the HO stand for. i was guessing parts would be expensive. do you guys think i should keep it, or do you think it would be more cost effective to go with something else. i'm planning on running at least a 35" tire. i'm from minnesota, twincities area but the truck is in michigan right now buried under about 4' of snow.

01-28-2005, 09:40 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	No idea what the HO is for. The brakes on my rear axle cost me so much that I refuse to do another brake job on them. So that gives me 2 or 3 years to figure if I want to slip a later one ton suspention under there, or convert to a 5 lug 1/2 ton set up.

01-29-2005, 03:10 AM	#9
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Welcome to the board wood, take a look: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=137643

01-29-2005, 06:26 PM	#11
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	The '70 front drums are hard to find because they are a one year only item. Ask Jims70GMC, he has dealt with this problem. My advice would be to swap in a disc braked dana 44. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

01-30-2005, 11:22 AM	#12
wood78 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: maple grove, mn Posts: 3	thanks for the help. does anybody know of a site that has parts for the ho52 and some more info on them. just want to find out as much stuff as i can before i start working on the truck this spring. will a front axle out of a 73-87 be a direct bolt in on these trucks?

01-30-2005, 11:31 AM	#13
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I ended up finding used drums for my 70. Going strong after 2 yrs and over 30000 miles. But when these are done, I'm going disc. You can swap in any GM solid front axle from 71 and up. Direct bolt in just need to remember what you put in for future reference. Will need to change brake lines also. P.S. The 1970 front axles are open knuckle w/ drums, one year only. As far as info on the H052/H072, the best info I found has been on this site. __________________ 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 Last edited by JIMs70GMC; 01-30-2005 at 11:45 AM.

01-30-2005, 01:19 PM	#14
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	there is some good info on pirate4x4 about the eaton as well, but the bad thing is that everyone calls it something different. Eaton, H072, H052, 10 bolt, corporate full floater, corporate drop out third. you just gotta sift through the crap. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

01-30-2005, 04:17 PM	#15
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	H0 is just reference to the RPO ( regular production option) number... they all started with HO in this series of RPO'S...HO52, H072, H0110....the number go higher as you get into higher gvw ranges. HO52 being 3/4 ton H072 being 1 ton typically H0110 being 11/2 ton etc. and upward __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

01-30-2005, 09:49 PM	#16
ABHaulR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West Valley City, Ut Posts: 311	??? i thought that the 52 was 1/2 ton and the 72 was 3/4 ton. i have a ho72 in my 72 sub, you cant get any other gears for it, other than 4:10 or 4:56. that is why i'll be putting in a 14ff for the avail. of gears and the ease of a disc brake conversion. Dwayne __________________ 72' GMC Suburban 10 1/2" of Lift, 40" Tires! Waiting for restoration 67' Chevy, What to do??? And Bad Ass American Bulldogs!



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01-30-2005, 09:59 PM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	A chevy 12 bolt was standard in the half ton trucks with a dana being avalible.

01-31-2005, 12:29 AM	#18
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	the 52 was the 3/4 ton version, and 72 the 1 ton model. you can also get 5.14 gears for your axle Duane. the H110 was an optional axle in the 1 ton models that is considerably bigger than the 52 or 72. It has a 12.25" ring gear, and the diff cover is welded on vs bolted for the smaller models. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

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