Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Conroe trucker · 10-21-2008, 08:25 PM

Quick question:

I have a Dana 44 front end on my 67. It was added by PO. He wanted disc brakes I assume.

It is bent, along with the GM 12 bolt rear axle.

I have been offered what I assume is a GM 10 bolt and GM 12 bolt out of a 69 Blazer, both are good, and the front axle is suppose to have discs.

Should I take them or is the Dana 44 so much better it is worth fixing?

No matter what I will go through them before they are installed, and my axle guy says it is no problem to straighten the axles.

What do you think?

Jtrux · 10-21-2008, 08:26 PM

Take 'em, it's not worth trying to fix yours.

Conroe trucker · 10-21-2008, 08:30 PM

I assume it is a bolt in?
Will the tie rods be the same?
Will the steering link be the same?

I ask since I have these new, but can return them if required.

Blazer1970 · 10-22-2008, 06:17 AM

A '69 Blazer came stock with an open knuckle drum brake Dana 44, not a 10 bolt. The 10 bolt front axle was not introduced until the '77 model year. If it is a 44 it will bolt in. If it is a later model 10 bolt everything will work except the tie rod, but that usually comes with the axle. I think the steering was different on the '67, but if you already have a disc brake 44 in there, that has been dealt with by the PO.

Conroe trucker · 10-22-2008, 08:37 AM

Man I hope you are correct, I may have just dodged a bullett!

stenbrin · 10-22-2008, 07:30 PM

1979 was the first year of the 10 bolt not 77, i have a stock 77 with a 44 in it. http://www.coloradok5.com/specs.shtml#1979

msgross · 10-22-2008, 08:57 PM

I think it was sometime in 77 they say they changed...

Only difference is inner axle spline count (28 vs 30?) but who cares right? For a 1/2 ton axle the 10 bolt will get you around just as well as the dana. Most of all the parts are identical anyway... The 10 bolt will have a 3" axle tube so check your U-bolts and top plates...

I bolted one in my 68, steering would have been your only issue but agree that someone has changed your box (if you have power steering) already. You might need to swap calipers or find a metric banjo bolt for the 10 bolt...

Blazer1970 · 10-23-2008, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stenbrin

1979 was the first year of the 10 bolt not 77, i have a stock 77 with a 44 in it. http://www.coloradok5.com/specs.shtml#1979

They definitely started using 10 bolt fronts for the '77 model year. There were some Dana 44s mixed in for the first three years or so.

Conroe trucker · 10-23-2008, 10:59 AM

Then it has to be a Dana.
Looks like I am in good shape!

justcuz · 10-23-2008, 02:34 PM

A Dana 44 will have the number 44 on the lower web just below the axle tube. If you don't see the number 44 cast into the web then it is a 10 bolt.
Also 10 diff covers are more round in shape a Dana 44 is angular shaped kinda like a Stop sign.

Conroe trucker · 10-29-2008, 03:46 PM

Roughly how long did they make the 12 bolt rearend for 67-72s?

What I mean is, I need one, and did they stay the same through 77 or later?
Diameter the same?
Looks like the rear axle is toasted.

justcuz · 10-29-2008, 04:13 PM

12 bolts were used till about 81 or 82. What happened to the Blazer axles?
You might want to look at a six lug 14 bolt semi-floater. These are huge axles that are rated for 5000 ft lb of torque and have great big brakes too. These came in 3/4 ton trucks starting in the early 80's and the axles can be swapped out for 6 lug axles and drums.

Conroe trucker · 10-29-2008, 05:41 PM

The Blazer axles all of a sudden came with a Blazer chassis, among other things.
I do not need a chassis.
I would like to find a 14 bolt, and that is an option.
Are they the same width?
Are the spring perches the same?

10-21-2008, 08:26 PM	#2
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt Take 'em, it's not worth trying to fix yours. __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!

10-21-2008, 08:30 PM	#3
Conroe trucker SWBs: 67 2x4, 67 4x4, 70 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 483	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt I assume it is a bolt in? Will the tie rods be the same? Will the steering link be the same? I ask since I have these new, but can return them if required. __________________ FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 4x4 FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 6 cyl cruiser Project thread: Road Toad 70 SWB Step, 4x4, 292, 3OT 01 C5 convertable 08 Z06

10-22-2008, 06:17 AM	#4
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt A '69 Blazer came stock with an open knuckle drum brake Dana 44, not a 10 bolt. The 10 bolt front axle was not introduced until the '77 model year. If it is a 44 it will bolt in. If it is a later model 10 bolt everything will work except the tie rod, but that usually comes with the axle. I think the steering was different on the '67, but if you already have a disc brake 44 in there, that has been dealt with by the PO. __________________ Tim Last edited by Blazer1970; 10-22-2008 at 06:20 AM.

10-22-2008, 08:37 AM	#5
Conroe trucker SWBs: 67 2x4, 67 4x4, 70 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 483	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt Man I hope you are correct, I may have just dodged a bullett! __________________ FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 4x4 FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 6 cyl cruiser Project thread: Road Toad 70 SWB Step, 4x4, 292, 3OT 01 C5 convertable 08 Z06

10-22-2008, 07:30 PM	#6
stenbrin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 128	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt 1979 was the first year of the 10 bolt not 77, i have a stock 77 with a 44 in it. http://www.coloradok5.com/specs.shtml#1979

10-21-2008, 08:25 PM	#1
Conroe trucker SWBs: 67 2x4, 67 4x4, 70 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 483	Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt Quick question: I have a Dana 44 front end on my 67. It was added by PO. He wanted disc brakes I assume. It is bent, along with the GM 12 bolt rear axle. I have been offered what I assume is a GM 10 bolt and GM 12 bolt out of a 69 Blazer, both are good, and the front axle is suppose to have discs. Should I take them or is the Dana 44 so much better it is worth fixing? No matter what I will go through them before they are installed, and my axle guy says it is no problem to straighten the axles. What do you think? __________________ FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 4x4 FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 6 cyl cruiser Project thread: Road Toad 70 SWB Step, 4x4, 292, 3OT 01 C5 convertable 08 Z06

10-22-2008, 08:57 PM	#7
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt I think it was sometime in 77 they say they changed... Only difference is inner axle spline count (28 vs 30?) but who cares right? For a 1/2 ton axle the 10 bolt will get you around just as well as the dana. Most of all the parts are identical anyway... The 10 bolt will have a 3" axle tube so check your U-bolts and top plates... I bolted one in my 68, steering would have been your only issue but agree that someone has changed your box (if you have power steering) already. You might need to swap calipers or find a metric banjo bolt for the 10 bolt... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

10-23-2008, 10:59 AM	#9
Conroe trucker SWBs: 67 2x4, 67 4x4, 70 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 483	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt Then it has to be a Dana. Looks like I am in good shape! __________________ FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 4x4 FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 6 cyl cruiser Project thread: Road Toad 70 SWB Step, 4x4, 292, 3OT 01 C5 convertable 08 Z06

10-23-2008, 02:34 PM	#10
justcuz Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alta Loma, Ca. Posts: 930	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt A Dana 44 will have the number 44 on the lower web just below the axle tube. If you don't see the number 44 cast into the web then it is a 10 bolt. Also 10 diff covers are more round in shape a Dana 44 is angular shaped kinda like a Stop sign.

10-29-2008, 03:46 PM	#11
Conroe trucker SWBs: 67 2x4, 67 4x4, 70 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 483	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt Roughly how long did they make the 12 bolt rearend for 67-72s? What I mean is, I need one, and did they stay the same through 77 or later? Diameter the same? Looks like the rear axle is toasted. __________________ FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 4x4 FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 6 cyl cruiser Project thread: Road Toad 70 SWB Step, 4x4, 292, 3OT 01 C5 convertable 08 Z06

10-29-2008, 04:13 PM	#12
justcuz Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alta Loma, Ca. Posts: 930	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt 12 bolts were used till about 81 or 82. What happened to the Blazer axles? You might want to look at a six lug 14 bolt semi-floater. These are huge axles that are rated for 5000 ft lb of torque and have great big brakes too. These came in 3/4 ton trucks starting in the early 80's and the axles can be swapped out for 6 lug axles and drums.

10-29-2008, 05:41 PM	#13
Conroe trucker SWBs: 67 2x4, 67 4x4, 70 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 483	Re: Dana 44 or GM 10 bolt The Blazer axles all of a sudden came with a Blazer chassis, among other things. I do not need a chassis. I would like to find a 14 bolt, and that is an option. Are they the same width? Are the spring perches the same? __________________ FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 4x4 FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 6 cyl cruiser Project thread: Road Toad 70 SWB Step, 4x4, 292, 3OT 01 C5 convertable 08 Z06



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