4WD 3/4 ton axles in a 1/2 ton ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RShaips · 02-10-2010, 10:02 PM

I have a 72 Jimmy 4WD that I would like to put lower gears in, anyway I found a set of 3/4 ton 410 gears 86 Chevy axles. I would like to keep my six lug pattern, what are my options? Can I use these with different axles? or maybe cut them and weld on my hubs? Any ideas? Or should I just wait until I find some 1/2 ton axles? Thanks

**71blksuper4x4** · 02-10-2010, 10:07 PM

If it was dana 44 frt. it would swap parts real easy, but being an 86', I bet it is a 10 bolt. Trevor

RShaips · 02-10-2010, 10:13 PM

What do you mean swap parts? the axles interchange? with different bearings?

**71blksuper4x4** · 02-10-2010, 11:03 PM

I was always under the impression that the Dana 44 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton were the same axles. The 1/2 ton hubs and backing plates I would think would go onto a 3/4 ton Dana 44. Since those axles you found are out of a 1986, they should be a 10 bolt front, which is a different axle altogether. Up til about 78 or 79 they got rid of Dana 44 3/4 ton front ends and started putting Corporate 10 bolts in trucks. Trevor

Mike C · 02-10-2010, 11:07 PM

He means the entire assembly from hub to hub swapped in. On the rear you need to re-weld the spring perches and swap the 86 parking brake cables for the 72. I did this exact swap on my Jimmy. I highly recommend this as I was hell on 12 bolts.

If you want to keep your 6 lug axles as you mention, you have no choice. The front will be a 10 bolt and gears are not compatible with your Dana 44 and the rear will either be a semi-floating 14 bolt or full-floating 14 and once again, not compatible with your 12 bolt.

Do the swap and buy new wheels and tires. WAY cheaper/easier than paying for gear setup.

RShaips · 02-10-2010, 11:17 PM

So, if I found some 3/4 ton hub to hub axles that were from a late 70's truck or earlier I could use the 1/2 ton axles to slip in and keep my six lug? I understand that I could switch complete assemblies from the 86 but would prefer to keep my 6 lug Ralley wheel set up, even though the 3/4 ton is cheaper. thanks for the help guys

02-10-2010, 10:02 PM	#1
RShaips Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Augusta Missouri Posts: 804	4WD 3/4 ton axles in a 1/2 ton ? I have a 72 Jimmy 4WD that I would like to put lower gears in, anyway I found a set of 3/4 ton 410 gears 86 Chevy axles. I would like to keep my six lug pattern, what are my options? Can I use these with different axles? or maybe cut them and weld on my hubs? Any ideas? Or should I just wait until I find some 1/2 ton axles? Thanks

02-10-2010, 10:07 PM	#2
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,151	Re: 4WD 3/4 ton axles in a 1/2 ton ? If it was dana 44 frt. it would swap parts real easy, but being an 86', I bet it is a 10 bolt. Trevor __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

02-10-2010, 10:13 PM	#3
RShaips Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Augusta Missouri Posts: 804	Re: 4WD 3/4 ton axles in a 1/2 ton ? What do you mean swap parts? the axles interchange? with different bearings?

02-10-2010, 11:03 PM	#4
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,151	Re: 4WD 3/4 ton axles in a 1/2 ton ? I was always under the impression that the Dana 44 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton were the same axles. The 1/2 ton hubs and backing plates I would think would go onto a 3/4 ton Dana 44. Since those axles you found are out of a 1986, they should be a 10 bolt front, which is a different axle altogether. Up til about 78 or 79 they got rid of Dana 44 3/4 ton front ends and started putting Corporate 10 bolts in trucks. Trevor __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

02-10-2010, 11:07 PM	#5
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,715	Re: 4WD 3/4 ton axles in a 1/2 ton ? He means the entire assembly from hub to hub swapped in. On the rear you need to re-weld the spring perches and swap the 86 parking brake cables for the 72. I did this exact swap on my Jimmy. I highly recommend this as I was hell on 12 bolts. If you want to keep your 6 lug axles as you mention, you have no choice. The front will be a 10 bolt and gears are not compatible with your Dana 44 and the rear will either be a semi-floating 14 bolt or full-floating 14 and once again, not compatible with your 12 bolt. Do the swap and buy new wheels and tires. WAY cheaper/easier than paying for gear setup. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

02-10-2010, 11:17 PM	#6
RShaips Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Augusta Missouri Posts: 804	Re: 4WD 3/4 ton axles in a 1/2 ton ? So, if I found some 3/4 ton hub to hub axles that were from a late 70's truck or earlier I could use the 1/2 ton axles to slip in and keep my six lug? I understand that I could switch complete assemblies from the 86 but would prefer to keep my 6 lug Ralley wheel set up, even though the 3/4 ton is cheaper. thanks for the help guys



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