Disk Brakes on Closed Knuckle Front Axle - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ol'beast · 01-30-2005, 03:21 PM

I have a 65 k-10 frame which I believe is all original running gear. From what I have researched this should have a Spicer/Dana44 under the front end. It is a closed knuckle axle and I would like to upgrade from 11" x 2" drum to a disk brake setup. Has anyone done this or do you know if it is possible without a complete axle swap? Is it really worth it to switch? Currently the truck is full manual (steering, brakes, trans) and gets a little cumbersome to drive. I would like to upgrade to power brakes and prefer front disk. I am also having trouble finding power steering since my linkage is set up for a pitman arm from the side of the steer box and not the bottom as the 70's power steering boxes offer. Any suggestions?

apachetrucks · 01-30-2005, 04:12 PM

These people might be able to assist you with your project. I have two of the standard kits on my trucks and they have worked well for me.The link is WWW.CRUSSENCLASSICS.COM

b454rat · 01-30-2005, 08:09 PM

I think it would be easier to swap front ends than swapping brakes. I swapped front in my 62 suburban, from the drums to disc. Right now I have the stock steering box, but gonna switch over to power steering soon. The Rez kit says that it's for 2wd only, but 2wd and 4wd boxes are the same, only difference is in the output shaft. The only mods you will need to do, but that depends on what year axle you use, is the shock mounts on the axle. They are at a different angle. It will work as is, but the bushing in the shock will wear prematurely. Hope this helps.

xextr3m3 · 01-31-2005, 01:24 AM

Swap out the axles. for best results find one that has the passenger sideflat top knuckle.
what is a flat top knuckle? A flat top knuckle has a flat surface on top of the knuckle where a steering arm will mount. If you are not sure, look at the driver side as it will always be flat top on a chevy, then compare it to the passenger side. if it looks the same (without steering arm) then grab it.
what the flat tops on both sides alows you to do is run a good crossover steering system.
after procuring axle, grab a 2-wheel drive box, mount that to your frame.find some cross over steering arm of hy-steer arms for your truck and have your tie rod and drag link made. happy steering with no more bump steer, brake steer etc.

zenish · 01-31-2005, 09:55 PM

someone swapped the front axle on my 67.now the front tires stick out noticably more than the back.

**JIMs70GMC** · 02-01-2005, 08:03 PM

zenish, they all do. The GM front axle is about 4" wider than the rear.

chipotledude05 · 02-01-2005, 10:12 PM

When did GM start putting 44's in their trucks? My dad has a '65 K-10 and I'm pretty sure it's not a 44 up front. Correct me if I'm wrong, it'd be pretty cool to know there's a 44 up front in the old beast.

Matt

kennyw · 02-02-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipotledude05

When did GM start putting 44's in their trucks? My dad has a '65 K-10 and I'm pretty sure it's not a 44 up front. Correct me if I'm wrong, it'd be pretty cool to know there's a 44 up front in the old beast.

Matt

They started using the Dana 44 front axle in 1960 in all 1/2 and 3/4 ton 4x4's. They were closed knuckle (weak and poor drum brakes) up to 1969. Then in 1970 went to open knuckle and drum breaks. 1971-72 they switched to standard disc brakes. 73-76 saw an upgraded axleshaft (larger shaft and u-joints). 77-79 were the change over years from the Dana 44 to GM corp 10 bolt front (basically GM used up what ever supplies of Dana 44's they had until they ran out then switched over to the 10 bolt). 77 was also the year they upgraded the front spindles and wheelbearings and went to internal lockouts on the 3/4 ton axles.

ol'beast · 02-03-2005, 10:42 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I am sure that I have the D44 axle up front. Is there any advantage to the closed knuckle axle other than keeping water out of the steering knuckles? I live in Arizona so water isn't really any problem. I guess my next step is to look into the flat top passenger side axel to swap out with mine. I would think that the early blazer would have a similar setup to the k-10 and would allow me to swap the axel as well as the power steering box right onto my truck with little modifications. Ol'beast would drive like a champ with actual power breaks and steering. Strong arm steering tends to piss people off in parking lots. Now I just need to wait for 1/2 price day at the junk yard.

01-30-2005, 03:21 PM	#1
ol'beast Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3	Disk Brakes on Closed Knuckle Front Axle I have a 65 k-10 frame which I believe is all original running gear. From what I have researched this should have a Spicer/Dana44 under the front end. It is a closed knuckle axle and I would like to upgrade from 11" x 2" drum to a disk brake setup. Has anyone done this or do you know if it is possible without a complete axle swap? Is it really worth it to switch? Currently the truck is full manual (steering, brakes, trans) and gets a little cumbersome to drive. I would like to upgrade to power brakes and prefer front disk. I am also having trouble finding power steering since my linkage is set up for a pitman arm from the side of the steer box and not the bottom as the 70's power steering boxes offer. Any suggestions?

01-30-2005, 04:12 PM	#2
apachetrucks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 40	These people might be able to assist you with your project. I have two of the standard kits on my trucks and they have worked well for me.The link is WWW.CRUSSENCLASSICS.COM Last edited by apachetrucks; 01-30-2005 at 04:16 PM.

01-30-2005, 08:09 PM	#3
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,464	I think it would be easier to swap front ends than swapping brakes. I swapped front in my 62 suburban, from the drums to disc. Right now I have the stock steering box, but gonna switch over to power steering soon. The Rez kit says that it's for 2wd only, but 2wd and 4wd boxes are the same, only difference is in the output shaft. The only mods you will need to do, but that depends on what year axle you use, is the shock mounts on the axle. They are at a different angle. It will work as is, but the bushing in the shock will wear prematurely. Hope this helps. __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

01-31-2005, 01:24 AM	#4
xextr3m3 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 96	Swap out the axles. for best results find one that has the passenger sideflat top knuckle. what is a flat top knuckle? A flat top knuckle has a flat surface on top of the knuckle where a steering arm will mount. If you are not sure, look at the driver side as it will always be flat top on a chevy, then compare it to the passenger side. if it looks the same (without steering arm) then grab it. what the flat tops on both sides alows you to do is run a good crossover steering system. after procuring axle, grab a 2-wheel drive box, mount that to your frame.find some cross over steering arm of hy-steer arms for your truck and have your tie rod and drag link made. happy steering with no more bump steer, brake steer etc. __________________ 62 c10 short fleet 350/350 dropped 87 toy: SAS 35" MT/R's, 5.29's, detroit rear, exocage

01-31-2005, 09:55 PM	#5
zenish Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: stallings,nc Posts: 401	someone swapped the front axle on my 67.now the front tires stick out noticably more than the back. __________________ 1964 c10 short step 1962 econoline van 1989 rs camaro 2006 yamaha vino 125 1975 goldwing

02-01-2005, 08:03 PM	#6
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	zenish, they all do. The GM front axle is about 4" wider than the rear. __________________ 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

02-01-2005, 10:12 PM	#7
chipotledude05 Strategery Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rowlett, TX Posts: 63	When did GM start putting 44's in their trucks? My dad has a '65 K-10 and I'm pretty sure it's not a 44 up front. Correct me if I'm wrong, it'd be pretty cool to know there's a 44 up front in the old beast. Matt __________________ 1961 Chevrolet Apache 1/2 Ton SWB 4x4

02-03-2005, 10:42 PM	#9
ol'beast Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3	Thanks for the help all... Thanks for the suggestions. I am sure that I have the D44 axle up front. Is there any advantage to the closed knuckle axle other than keeping water out of the steering knuckles? I live in Arizona so water isn't really any problem. I guess my next step is to look into the flat top passenger side axel to swap out with mine. I would think that the early blazer would have a similar setup to the k-10 and would allow me to swap the axel as well as the power steering box right onto my truck with little modifications. Ol'beast would drive like a champ with actual power breaks and steering. Strong arm steering tends to piss people off in parking lots. Now I just need to wait for 1/2 price day at the junk yard.

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