Has anyone used later backing plates ?

[nu2-72]

I have a set of later model Dana 44 backing plates. These are massive solid steel stamped plates. The earlier versions are a stamped "v" shape with a sheetmetal dust shield.
I am missing one dust shield and am considering using the newer plates.
Unless someone can find me a good 3/4 dust shield or tell me why I cannot use the newer set.

[b454rat]

I think the stamped ones are for a 3/4 ton, not positive.

[nu2-72]

Yes, the stamped "single" piece are for 3/4 ton. They are newer however. The originals for 71-72 are stamped steel with a tin dust shield welded to them.
That's why I am asking for a 3/4 dust shield (to repair the one I have original that is missing the tin) or has anyone used the newer.
I do not believe that there is any difference between Dana 44's from 71 to about 79 with the big hubs. All rotors and hub dimentions should be the same and so should fit. But I have assumed things before.
Anyone know for sure?

[kwmech]

The solid steel plates were avail both solid and V style in the 1/2 ton, never seen any rhyme or reason for the difference in either year or model. All the 3/4 I have seen were solid. Are you looking for the 1/2 ton plates or the 3/4. I have a bunch of 1/2 solids.

[nu2-72]

Here are some backing plates and one with a shield. The one to the left is 3/4ton, the upper one is a half ton and the one with dust shield is 3/4 ton. The backing plates are identical. The only difference is the dust shield. 3/4ton are slightly bigger because of the bigger rotor. The calipers are identical between 1/2 and 3/4 ton also. Spindles are only slightly different in that the only change was bearing sizes. The flanges, length, threads are all the same.
I need a dust shield to make this set of 3/4 complete. Or I go with the newer style and no shield.

[454_72_4X4]

As far as I know the "solid" ones will interchange with the "v" shaped ones as long as they both are 3/4 ton versions. (But like you said, I've been wrong before!) I haven't tried to swap them myself.
On a side note, I've got a set of the "solid" type ones that I'm gonna use for a rear disc brake swap someday.

[nu2-72]

Exactly my plan as well. I picked up some of the plates from a local guy at $10.00 each. I have two blasted and painted and ready for the front. I was also planning on trying them for the rear to keep them alike. 4 wheel disc and 4 identical backing plates.
Here are two pics of the heavy late model plates. You can see that they are full single piece plates. Very beefy.

[69TowRig]

The partial- and full-backing plates definitely interchange. In fact most of the brake parts for these axles interchange from 71-on. I am running a '69 drum-D44 axle with '82 knuckles, spindles, rotors and backing plates with '77 calipers. My buddy is running the complete '76 chevy setup on his HPD44 from an '79 Bronco with the full backing plates. Most all the Dana axle parts are swappable in some manner or another.

[nu2-72]

I have found that the offset distance is different. Lay them on the table side by side and there is about 1/4" difference. I hope the floating caliper allows for this.

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by nu2-72

I have found that the offset distance is different. Lay them on the table side by side and there is about 1/4" difference. I hope the floating caliper allows for this.

Are you sure?
I've never directly compared so I'm just wondering where the difference would be made up, (ie different spindle?, caliper?, rotor?).
That 1/4" would have to be compensated for somewhere I'd think.

[nu2-72]

Am I sure? Does a bear, never mind. I hopeyou can see what I am talking about. With the 71-72 calipers being floating calipers, they may center on the rotor and this may be moot.
The first pic shows that if set on a hard surface, the mounting bosses are equal. When turned around to face each other the difference is seen.

[swogee]

I have a question related to backing plates and dustshields. I have a 1970 K10 with a 1971 K10 front axle on it. I am looking for a replacement dust shield for the passenger side, but I have not had much luck. I was wondering if the dust shield from a 1971/72 C10 would fit on my 1971 K10 front axle backing plate? How about a dust shield from a 1971/72 C20? I get the impression that a dust shield from a 1971 K20 would fit my 1971 K10, but the diameter would be larger.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

-Steve

[nu2-72]

If you can give me a little bit I will run down to the shop and show you the difference in K plates.
Then we can compare to C plates.

[nu2-72]

The left dust shield came from a 72 1/2 ton and the right from a 72 3/4.

[swogee]

nu72-2,

Thanks for the great response! I really appreciate the pictures. It looks like from the pictures that the K20 dust shields are primarily larger in diameter than the K10 dust shields. Therefore the K20 dust shields will fit my K10 axle OK. I get the impression the C10/C20 dust shields are different so they will not fit.

Thanks again for the info.

-Steve

[nu2-72]

Actually I believe they are the same diameter. The differences which are hard to see are the center single mounting bolt. On one shield the indent is inward, on the other it is outward. The guage is heavier on the 3/4 and the 3/4 is notched in the center. I would say they will fit but not positive. I could slip the 1/2 ton onto my 3/4 axle for you. I know that is backwards of what you need but if it goes one way it may go the other.
Well, actually I have a 1/2 ton Blazer 44 axle out there too. I will slip my backing plate over it for you. May take a bit. 10 below 0 today and I am moving slow.

[jerry moss]

the solid backing plates will work fine, i switch to the solid ones on all my trucks. i switch to 73 on up spindles and axle shafts too--makes it easier to buy replacement parts later on and the newer axle shafts are more heavy duty. the front axle in my 72 super is out of a 71 1/2 ton that was ordered with posi front and rear (i still have the original build sheet to prove it), i swapped everything from a newer 44 3/4 ton with no problems whatsoever. i did the same swap on my 72 cheyenne too. one word of caution when swapping complete front axles--there is also a dana 44 h.d. with 3 inch axle tubes instead of 2 3/4 inch, if you get one of those, you'll need the u-bolt plates for the bigger housing--i learned this one the hard way

[nu2-72]

Jerry, how have you been? We have not talked in a while.
I have bolted the newer backing plates to the axle but am retaining all the original axles, spindles and hubs. I had everything NOS to do it that way so I did.
So there should be no problems as I have done? I do not have the hubs/rotors assembled yet so I am just as far as the spindles/plates.

[jerry moss]

it'll work fine the way you're doing it, i only use later parts because it's easier to buy parts and the axle shafts are larger diameter.

[4x4Poet]

This was interesting.


That is all...

[cheyenne10]

To continue on with a good older thred, can I just find a 1/2 ton thinner weld on dust shield and weld back on my existing backing plate. It looks like on my truck that is the only thing missing.

If so where can I find one?