Front Differential Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Dieselwrencher** · 07-30-2008, 08:27 PM

I have had a few 70-72 K20's but never a K30. My question is, "What front axle did the K30's come with?" I see a lot of pictures on this site of these era 4x4's which look like Dana 44 HD's. Did they have D60's in them, or just Dana 44's until 1973? Thanks Ryan.

GM72K10 · 07-30-2008, 09:30 PM

No factory K30s until 77-78, all front axles are Dana 60s, backs are either Dana 70s or 14FFs. I've had a few, my 83 K30 dually has a Dana 70 in the back where the CUCV K30s have 14FFs.

**special-K** · 07-30-2008, 10:12 PM

Dana44HDs in K/20s till 77-78 (or somewhere around there) when the 10-bolt started going in.

**Dieselwrencher** · 07-30-2008, 10:23 PM

Thanks SpecialK that is what I was wondering. That was what I figuired, but I was just wondering if GM ever put anything heavier in them. Kind of like Dodge did with the Dana 70's in the front on some of their 1 ton duallys.

**Dieselwrencher** · 07-30-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Dana44HDs in K/20s till 77-78 (or somewhere around there) when the 10-bolt started going in.

Ok, another question. Were all the Dana44's until 1977 HD's? Just curious for when I go to get parts. you don't want to give the kid behind the counter too many numbers. LOL

Blazer1970 · 07-31-2008, 06:43 AM

HD really means nothing on a Dana 44. The parts are all the same as any other D44. Just tell the parts kid the year and model of your truck and that should be enough. The some so-called HD Dana 44s have thicker axle tubes or more ribbing on the center section casting, but that is it.

**special-K** · 07-31-2008, 07:06 AM

...and are 8-lug w/bigger brakes.Or,was there a 1/2t version?I never heard the HD designate until coming on here.
I`m not sure about the transition year on the front axles.But,you can visually I.D. the axles.
Tim`s advise will do the trick.I assume it`s the original axle to the truck?

GM C30s could still be converted to 4wd by NAPCO in these series.They used a Spicer axle that was the same old design from the`50s,like the HO52 Corporate.I had a`71 Custom/30 NAPCO years ago.

Burt4x4 · 07-31-2008, 11:32 AM

Guys, the early D44s had smaller U-joints in the axels and some D44's have smaller spindels. So some refer to HD as the late72 & 73up D44s cuz the ujoints are the larger ones. That change GM made in 72 from what I recall, so some of the first preduction 72 models may have the smaller Ujoints in the front D44 axel shafts, you can swap out the axel shafts for the larger. It is rare but when stepping up to the larger Ujoint axel you may have to swap spindels too. I did not have to with my 72 but my buddy Ryan did have to swap his spindels...this was years ago so I hope I got the memory straight

Burt4x4 · 07-31-2008, 11:37 AM

Oh and I belive the 8lug D44 calipers are the same as the 6lug D44 calipers, really it's just the hub assy that seporates 8lug from 6lug...the rest is the same...

**Dieselwrencher** · 07-31-2008, 03:13 PM

Thanks for the help. I just wasn't sure as far as the ball joints go. How many times do you guys get the wrong parts? Seems like it happens to me a lot. No matter how much you tell them sometime. I knew about the u-joints before because I ran into the same problem on one a few years back. LOL

Burt4x4 · 07-31-2008, 05:13 PM

hahah I started saving part numbers and just ask for the parts I need by numder without the parts house guy needing to look it up

07-30-2008, 08:27 PM	#1
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Front Differential Question I have had a few 70-72 K20's but never a K30. My question is, "What front axle did the K30's come with?" I see a lot of pictures on this site of these era 4x4's which look like Dana 44 HD's. Did they have D60's in them, or just Dana 44's until 1973? Thanks Ryan.

07-30-2008, 09:30 PM	#2
GM72K10 Next! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Eastern Pa. Posts: 2,483	Re: Front Differential Question No factory K30s until 77-78, all front axles are Dana 60s, backs are either Dana 70s or 14FFs. I've had a few, my 83 K30 dually has a Dana 70 in the back where the CUCV K30s have 14FFs. __________________ 86 K30 CUCV M1028A1 86 K30 CUCV M1028a2 dually 86 K30 C&C 6.2 4:56s, 4M, 11,000 gvw, ex fire truck, now lowboy dump More square bodies and CUCVs than I care to admit to 2020 Silverado K3500HD Work truck

07-30-2008, 10:12 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Front Differential Question Dana44HDs in K/20s till 77-78 (or somewhere around there) when the 10-bolt started going in. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-30-2008, 10:23 PM	#4
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: Front Differential Question Thanks SpecialK that is what I was wondering. That was what I figuired, but I was just wondering if GM ever put anything heavier in them. Kind of like Dodge did with the Dana 70's in the front on some of their 1 ton duallys.

07-31-2008, 06:43 AM	#6
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	Re: Front Differential Question HD really means nothing on a Dana 44. The parts are all the same as any other D44. Just tell the parts kid the year and model of your truck and that should be enough. The some so-called HD Dana 44s have thicker axle tubes or more ribbing on the center section casting, but that is it. __________________ Tim

07-31-2008, 07:06 AM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Front Differential Question ...and are 8-lug w/bigger brakes.Or,was there a 1/2t version?I never heard the HD designate until coming on here. I`m not sure about the transition year on the front axles.But,you can visually I.D. the axles. Tim`s advise will do the trick.I assume it`s the original axle to the truck? GM C30s could still be converted to 4wd by NAPCO in these series.They used a Spicer axle that was the same old design from the`50s,like the HO52 Corporate.I had a`71 Custom/30 NAPCO years ago. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-31-2008, 11:32 AM	#8
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	Re: Front Differential Question Guys, the early D44s had smaller U-joints in the axels and some D44's have smaller spindels. So some refer to HD as the late72 & 73up D44s cuz the ujoints are the larger ones. That change GM made in 72 from what I recall, so some of the first preduction 72 models may have the smaller Ujoints in the front D44 axel shafts, you can swap out the axel shafts for the larger. It is rare but when stepping up to the larger Ujoint axel you may have to swap spindels too. I did not have to with my 72 but my buddy Ryan did have to swap his spindels...this was years ago so I hope I got the memory straight __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks

07-31-2008, 11:37 AM	#9
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	Re: Front Differential Question Oh and I belive the 8lug D44 calipers are the same as the 6lug D44 calipers, really it's just the hub assy that seporates 8lug from 6lug...the rest is the same... __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks

07-31-2008, 03:13 PM	#10
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: Front Differential Question Thanks for the help. I just wasn't sure as far as the ball joints go. How many times do you guys get the wrong parts? Seems like it happens to me a lot. No matter how much you tell them sometime. I knew about the u-joints before because I ran into the same problem on one a few years back. LOL

07-31-2008, 05:13 PM	#11
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	Re: Front Differential Question hahah I started saving part numbers and just ask for the parts I need by numder without the parts house guy needing to look it up __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks



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