Dana 44 open nuckle questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SoCal71K20 · 12-02-2002, 06:52 PM

OK,who can tell me something about 71 vintage Dana 44 front
open knuckle axle.Are they decently stout.Are there any weak
parts that can be upgraded like shafts or beefier u-joints.I'm not
likely to be rock climbing just want it heavy duty for spirited trail
and river bed jaunts as well as drive to work and some hauling.I know if I ever have to change out the rear,I'd like to get a 14
bolt FF. I can't believe I'm still running a minor oil weeping giant
looking corporate 3/4 ton rear end. It looks real stout but I figure
quality parts are pretty non existent for it.Still running though.
Thanks.

DaHateTank · 12-02-2002, 07:44 PM

From what Ive read/heard/seen they're not a bad diff, but they're far from brutally strong, however...

For smaller tires, and light wheeling, it will probably be ok. Most people I talk to who use really big tires, and/or beat the hell outta the trucks, upgrade to a Dana 60.

You can buy aftermarket axleshafts, steering U-joints, and posi units for Dana 44s, but by the time you get all that stuff, you've spent a good part of what a Dana 60 would cost.

I was looking at a mag today, and several places were selling moly axles for D44s, at around $600...

CTM racing sells a super HD u-joint...$150 each!!!!

I think Id go Dana 60 before I built up a 44, with aftermarket parts, for a full size truck. However, alot of guys are running the 44, in both 6 and 8 lug versions, with large tires, and getting by... (including myself -- 36 swampers)

HTH
-Marty

DaHateTank · 12-02-2002, 07:47 PM

Oh BTW:

Apparently Spicer just intro'd a new design U-joint for the front axles that is supposed to be stronger than teh old 297-X design, currently available...

was in last months 4WD & Off Road.

-M

**D.PASSMORE** · 12-03-2002, 08:07 AM

US GEAR CUTS NEW GEARS WITH REBUILD KITS. I PUT A LATE MODEL LOCKER IN MINE AND CHANGED TO 28 SPLINE AXLES. WORKS FINE.

4x4 Pray · 12-11-2002, 09:30 PM

D.PASSMORE...you put a locker in your eaton?? if so, who did you get it from and how much did it cost? (I'm very interested)

**D.PASSMORE** · 12-11-2002, 11:04 PM

EMAIL ME ON SUNDAY AND I'LL LOOK IT UP!

Scrub · 12-12-2002, 12:24 AM

I saw a logger's pickup in town today. He had a stock (I think) 44 with about 33's and this huge 8 foot wide flatbed with almost 6 foot high side boards. Somewhere he had found a 6 inch lift spring pack for the rear that must have had 10 leaves in it.

Now I know that bugger beat the bleeding snot out of that rig (and probably his wife too) every day and it looked to pretty straight.

I have seem some 44's hang in when I didn't think they should.

A dana 60 is worth about 800 or more. I paid 1800 for a new one.

Thay are always on e-bay

good luck

Blazer1970 · 12-12-2002, 08:21 AM

Some of the early GM open knuckle 44s had 260-X steering u-joints. I am not sure what year they went to the 297-X, but I am thinking it was '71 or '72. If you do have the 260s, you would have to replace both inner and both outer axle shafts to convert to 297s (new # is 760-X, I think).

694X4 · 12-12-2002, 10:02 AM

Almost all of the 200ft. mud dragsters that you see on espn have d44's with moly chafts and a solid hub. A couple friends of mine have blown merlin big blocks and run paddles with no trouble out of the moly shafts. If you do it a couple times it takes like 30 min. to change an axle shaft and 90% of the time that is what brakes. Usualy when you loose a axle joint it takes the shaft yokes with it.

**JIMs70GMC** · 12-12-2002, 11:35 AM

Mt 2 cents: You already have disc(mine are drums), so about the only needed up grade would be to 73+ newer axles w/ 297 u-joints vice your current 260 u-joints. And supposedly the external hubs are not as desirable as internal type so you could "upgrade" there also. Other than that unless your really going to thrash your truck leave it at that.

Milenko72276 · 12-17-2002, 11:31 PM

I'm running a 44 with 4.56 gears and a spool 44" boggers and a 454,and haven't broke anything yet.I think if i do though I will buy the moly shafts and CTM or Ox joints.Guys are stupid on their dana 60 prices.The 44 is lighter and with the upgrades just as strong as a stock 60.

12-02-2002, 06:52 PM	#1
SoCal71K20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lemon Grove, California Posts: 152	Dana 44 open nuckle questions OK,who can tell me something about 71 vintage Dana 44 front open knuckle axle.Are they decently stout.Are there any weak parts that can be upgraded like shafts or beefier u-joints.I'm not likely to be rock climbing just want it heavy duty for spirited trail and river bed jaunts as well as drive to work and some hauling.I know if I ever have to change out the rear,I'd like to get a 14 bolt FF. I can't believe I'm still running a minor oil weeping giant looking corporate 3/4 ton rear end. It looks real stout but I figure quality parts are pretty non existent for it.Still running though. Thanks.

12-03-2002, 08:07 AM	#4
D.PASSMORE One of the First Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: St. Augustine,FL. Posts: 4,059	CORP. REAR US GEAR CUTS NEW GEARS WITH REBUILD KITS. I PUT A LATE MODEL LOCKER IN MINE AND CHANGED TO 28 SPLINE AXLES. WORKS FINE. __________________ DAVID PASSMORE ST AUGUSTINE ,FL ZIP 32084 '71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili) '72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule) '72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie)

12-11-2002, 11:04 PM	#6
D.PASSMORE One of the First Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: St. Augustine,FL. Posts: 4,059	LOCKER EMAIL ME ON SUNDAY AND I'LL LOOK IT UP! __________________ DAVID PASSMORE ST AUGUSTINE ,FL ZIP 32084 '71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili) '72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule) '72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie)

12-12-2002, 12:24 AM	#7
Scrub Collector of rusty Items Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sisters,Oregon USA Posts: 731	I saw a logger's pickup in town today. He had a stock (I think) 44 with about 33's and this huge 8 foot wide flatbed with almost 6 foot high side boards. Somewhere he had found a 6 inch lift spring pack for the rear that must have had 10 leaves in it. Now I know that bugger beat the bleeding snot out of that rig (and probably his wife too) every day and it looked to pretty straight. I have seem some 44's hang in when I didn't think they should. A dana 60 is worth about 800 or more. I paid 1800 for a new one. Thay are always on e-bay good luck __________________ Scrub Sisters, Oregon - Home of the Sisters Rodeo. 70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles 72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends.

12-12-2002, 08:21 AM	#8
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	Some of the early GM open knuckle 44s had 260-X steering u-joints. I am not sure what year they went to the 297-X, but I am thinking it was '71 or '72. If you do have the 260s, you would have to replace both inner and both outer axle shafts to convert to 297s (new # is 760-X, I think). __________________ Tim

12-02-2002, 07:44 PM	#2
DaHateTank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 119	From what Ive read/heard/seen they're not a bad diff, but they're far from brutally strong, however... For smaller tires, and light wheeling, it will probably be ok. Most people I talk to who use really big tires, and/or beat the hell outta the trucks, upgrade to a Dana 60. You can buy aftermarket axleshafts, steering U-joints, and posi units for Dana 44s, but by the time you get all that stuff, you've spent a good part of what a Dana 60 would cost. I was looking at a mag today, and several places were selling moly axles for D44s, at around $600... CTM racing sells a super HD u-joint...$150 each!!!! I think Id go Dana 60 before I built up a 44, with aftermarket parts, for a full size truck. However, alot of guys are running the 44, in both 6 and 8 lug versions, with large tires, and getting by... (including myself -- 36 swampers) HTH -Marty

12-02-2002, 07:47 PM	#3
DaHateTank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 119	Oh BTW: Apparently Spicer just intro'd a new design U-joint for the front axles that is supposed to be stronger than teh old 297-X design, currently available... was in last months 4WD & Off Road. -M

12-11-2002, 09:30 PM	#5
4x4 Pray Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 69	D.PASSMORE...you put a locker in your eaton?? if so, who did you get it from and how much did it cost? (I'm very interested)

12-12-2002, 10:02 AM	#9
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	Almost all of the 200ft. mud dragsters that you see on espn have d44's with moly chafts and a solid hub. A couple friends of mine have blown merlin big blocks and run paddles with no trouble out of the moly shafts. If you do it a couple times it takes like 30 min. to change an axle shaft and 90% of the time that is what brakes. Usualy when you loose a axle joint it takes the shaft yokes with it. __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

12-12-2002, 11:35 AM	#10
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Mt 2 cents: You already have disc(mine are drums), so about the only needed up grade would be to 73+ newer axles w/ 297 u-joints vice your current 260 u-joints. And supposedly the external hubs are not as desirable as internal type so you could "upgrade" there also. Other than that unless your really going to thrash your truck leave it at that. __________________ 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

12-17-2002, 11:31 PM	#11
Milenko72276 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Richmond MO,USA Posts: 73	I'm running a 44 with 4.56 gears and a spool 44" boggers and a 454,and haven't broke anything yet.I think if i do though I will buy the moly shafts and CTM or Ox joints.Guys are stupid on their dana 60 prices.The 44 is lighter and with the upgrades just as strong as a stock 60. __________________ 72' Camper Special,454,th350,np205,4.56 locker,dana44 with spool,13" of lift and 44" boggers.soon to be 23" with rear disc brakes

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