Axles, VIN and other ???

[Blaze69]

Hey all,
To start things off could someone decode this VIN CKU186F179263, I am thinking that it is a '86.

Next thing is, will the front axle from this Blazer unbolt and mount up the the front end of my '69 Blazer? As you may have guessed I want the disc option that it has to offer. The marking on the donor axle says 44-8F and has a 1 over this number 38996. I'm pretty sure that is is saying it's a Dana 44, but what is the 8F? My axle has a 44-5E or F.

Since this vehicle is going to be stripped I am also looking into taking the Alternator setup also. Does anyone know what rating that model would have? It also is mounted on the passenger side of the engine. How hard will it be to move the current set up on my Blazer over to match the newer one? The brackets are all there and the only problem I can see is where one of the bolts connects to the water pump. I think that its a different type.

I could probably take the air cond set-up, but mine didn't have one to begin with so why mess with it.

Thanks, If someone can verify that it will work I will be doing the change in the later part of December.

[JHickson6]

Got this off of www.americanclassic.com/paint.htm

Vin Decoding Results
VIN CKU186F179263
Model Year 1976
Division (unknown code)
Chassis 4 Wheel Drive
Body Style Utility
Series 1/2-Ton
Engine V8 400 4 bbl.
Assembly Plant Flint, MI
Sequential Number 179263

JHickson6

[Blaze69]

Thanks to JHickson for the info,

The only difference that I got was the engine being a 305 instead of a 400.

Now back to the other items:
Since the axle is a '76 Dana 44 will it just bolt right up?
I heard from somewhere that the gearing has to stay the same when I change the axles, something about blowing up the transfer case? Is there any truth in that?

What about the alternator setup? Will it work in my application? I saw a picture longhorn posted showing an engine that has the passenger side set up. Does anyone know more about it?
Thanks

[yellowgmc]

gearing has to be the same front and back or kaboom. xsfer case may not blow but something definately will, violently (ie. axle shaft, u joints diff case drive shaft and so on). best case senario will have either your front or rear tires smoking constantly. as for bolting up, 76 blazers were leaf sprung if i am thinking correctly. i think 69 blazers had coils. it could take some doing. i could be way off base as well.

[Blaze69]

The '69 did have leafs on it, I just wonder if the newer ones will match the bolt patterns on my frame. Should I just use the same leafs from my Axle?