Help with Front Differential please. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rmurray25 · 09-08-2005, 02:34 AM

I need some help with my 69 half tone 4x4. My front axle is a Dana 44 and has "trunnion bearings" in it (I am told). I think they are closed knuckle bearings. Do these actually take ball joints? I have been offered a hollowed out newer style, as in from a 71 chev, front end with the ball joints. They are both Dana 44s. Will the guts (ring and pinion, axle shafts ect.) from my current front diff fit the newer style diff and if so do I need to replace all bearing and seals when I swap them? The other Question I have is this; how can I find my gear ratio if the tag is gone? I have heard something about counting the teath on the ring and pinion but have not gotten any details. Any help on any of these subjects would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

**JIMs70GMC** · 09-08-2005, 05:17 AM

The 71 will bolt right in. will need new brake lines from the frame to the calipers. You will not be able to use the axle shafts, but the gears/carrier should work. Count the teeth on the ring gear and divide by the teeth on the pinion or look for the numbers stamped on the ring gear like 41 10 which would be 4.10 gears. Welcome to the board!

rmurray25 · 09-08-2005, 12:37 PM

Thanks for your help. and thanks for the welcome. I have one last question; so then if i were to buy a complete 71 front end with 3.08 and I have a 3.73 gear ratio can I simply take the ring and pinion from mine a install it into the new front end?

Thanks again.

Americanrider · 09-08-2005, 01:06 PM

JIMs70GMC is correct, the axle shafts will NOT work. Closed knuckle shafts and open knuckle shafts are like apples & oranges. The carriers are the same, D44s have 30 splines where the axle shafts enter the carrier. As far as replacing/swapping the carrier that is very complicated and requires special tools to set the pinion depth. Get it wrong and it will self-destruct in short order. Call up a few shops to get a price on the Ring & Pinion swap. Around here they want $500-600 to do a full axle reuild. Might be less for just a carrier swap.

rmurray25 · 09-08-2005, 01:16 PM

Ok Thanks I will look into that. I have yet another question. The reason I am wanting to get rid of the closed knuckle front end is because I have been told to get the ball joints or trunnion bearings? (I am not sure if they are ball joints or trunnion bearings) replaced is extremly costly for this type of front end. If that is not the case how is it done and what are the bearing called?

Thanks again Jim and American Rider.

09-08-2005, 02:34 AM	#1
rmurray25 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 39	still need a little help with Front Differential please. I need some help with my 69 half tone 4x4. My front axle is a Dana 44 and has "trunnion bearings" in it (I am told). I think they are closed knuckle bearings. Do these actually take ball joints? I have been offered a hollowed out newer style, as in from a 71 chev, front end with the ball joints. They are both Dana 44s. Will the guts (ring and pinion, axle shafts ect.) from my current front diff fit the newer style diff and if so do I need to replace all bearing and seals when I swap them? The other Question I have is this; how can I find my gear ratio if the tag is gone? I have heard something about counting the teath on the ring and pinion but have not gotten any details. Any help on any of these subjects would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Last edited by rmurray25; 09-09-2005 at 06:08 PM.

09-08-2005, 05:17 AM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	The 71 will bolt right in. will need new brake lines from the frame to the calipers. You will not be able to use the axle shafts, but the gears/carrier should work. Count the teeth on the ring gear and divide by the teeth on the pinion or look for the numbers stamped on the ring gear like 41 10 which would be 4.10 gears. Welcome to the board! __________________ 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

09-08-2005, 12:37 PM	#3
rmurray25 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 39	Thanks for your help. and thanks for the welcome. I have one last question; so then if i were to buy a complete 71 front end with 3.08 and I have a 3.73 gear ratio can I simply take the ring and pinion from mine a install it into the new front end? Thanks again. __________________ 69 Chev K10, 350 4 bolt main, 202 "double humper" heads, healthy cam. edlebrock 600 cfm and preformer intake 3.73 ratio with posi rear. Check her out http://www.angelfire.com/ak6/1969k10/my_baby

09-08-2005, 01:16 PM	#5
rmurray25 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 39	Ok Thanks I will look into that. I have yet another question. The reason I am wanting to get rid of the closed knuckle front end is because I have been told to get the ball joints or trunnion bearings? (I am not sure if they are ball joints or trunnion bearings) replaced is extremly costly for this type of front end. If that is not the case how is it done and what are the bearing called? Thanks again Jim and American Rider. __________________ 69 Chev K10, 350 4 bolt main, 202 "double humper" heads, healthy cam. edlebrock 600 cfm and preformer intake 3.73 ratio with posi rear. Check her out http://www.angelfire.com/ak6/1969k10/my_baby

09-08-2005, 01:06 PM	#4
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	JIMs70GMC is correct, the axle shafts will NOT work. Closed knuckle shafts and open knuckle shafts are like apples & oranges. The carriers are the same, D44s have 30 splines where the axle shafts enter the carrier. As far as replacing/swapping the carrier that is very complicated and requires special tools to set the pinion depth. Get it wrong and it will self-destruct in short order. Call up a few shops to get a price on the Ring & Pinion swap. Around here they want $500-600 to do a full axle reuild. Might be less for just a carrier swap.



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