does my 1981 Dana 44 have a solid axle? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72timemachine · 01-05-2011, 05:13 PM

Please do not move this thread to the 4x4 section I am having no luck there with my other past question so perhaps I will have a better shot here.

The truck is a 1981 Chevy Scottsdale 20 with a 350 ci. th400 mated to a 208 transfer case and 14 bolt (pan cover) rear end.

If I do have a solid axle which has 8 lug locking hubs and the 14 bolt rear end does that mean this is a more sought after front differential?

I am not sure if it is true but read that a solid axle Dana 44 can exceed the strength of a Dana 60????

Thanks for any help ahead of time,

Mattman2010 · 01-05-2011, 05:33 PM

No the dana 44 is not as strong as the dana 60. The dana 60's are the ones they put onto the 1 ton 4x4 trucks. The 14 bolt is a strong rear end, they where used in the k20's and 30's some where single wheel, and some where dually. The dana 44's came in both 6 and 8 lug, they are stronger than the 10 bolt that came in the front of some k10's and k20's, but they are not stronger than a dana 60. You cant get a stronger axle than the dana 60 front axle for these trucks that bolts right in!

Doug_J · 01-05-2011, 05:42 PM

And are you wanting to know if you have a solid front axle? If so you for sure do. They started using (IFS) indapendent front suspension in 88 up 4x4s.

72timemachine · 01-05-2011, 05:49 PM

Thanks two both you guys. Any idea if a 1981 th400 4x4 will bolt up to a 1990 np241 transfer case? One guy I spoke to said that after 1986-87 they shortened the th400 4x4 output shaft by 1" although he cannot be certain.

Again thank you.

benoit454 · 01-05-2011, 06:19 PM

I think you need a special adapter to make the th400 bolt to a 241 case. is the 90 case even the correct side drop? most of the older chevys have PS drop and the newer trucks have DS drop.

87 V20 Scottsdale · 01-05-2011, 07:06 PM

benoit454 you're right the drop is on the wrong side; and in '81 the front axle would be a 10-bolt instead of a D44. Unless of course someone else has swapped axles out.

Greenlee · 01-05-2011, 07:42 PM

If your 1990 np241 is from a 3/4 ton Suburban, it should bolt right up to the Turbo 400 and it will have the passenger side drop. It it's from a newer body style truck it will have driver's side drop. If it's from a 90' half-ton Suburban or Blazer it will have the correct drop, but the spline count is different.

01-05-2011, 05:13 PM	#1
72timemachine Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles ca Posts: 220	does my 1981 Dana 44 have a solid axle? Please do not move this thread to the 4x4 section I am having no luck there with my other past question so perhaps I will have a better shot here. The truck is a 1981 Chevy Scottsdale 20 with a 350 ci. th400 mated to a 208 transfer case and 14 bolt (pan cover) rear end. If I do have a solid axle which has 8 lug locking hubs and the 14 bolt rear end does that mean this is a more sought after front differential? I am not sure if it is true but read that a solid axle Dana 44 can exceed the strength of a Dana 60???? Thanks for any help ahead of time,

01-05-2011, 05:33 PM	#2
Mattman2010 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburg, KS Posts: 953	Re: does my 1981 Dana 44 have a solid axle? No the dana 44 is not as strong as the dana 60. The dana 60's are the ones they put onto the 1 ton 4x4 trucks. The 14 bolt is a strong rear end, they where used in the k20's and 30's some where single wheel, and some where dually. The dana 44's came in both 6 and 8 lug, they are stronger than the 10 bolt that came in the front of some k10's and k20's, but they are not stronger than a dana 60. You cant get a stronger axle than the dana 60 front axle for these trucks that bolts right in! __________________ 1980 K10 - 6.2L Diesel/SM465/NP205 Build Thread 1984 K30 CC Dually - "The Tank" 12V Cummins/Nv4500/Np205/D60/D70HD 4" lift & 37's Build Thread 1960 C-60 Dump Truck Make it road worthy! Thread

01-05-2011, 05:42 PM	#3
Doug_J Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Moore,OK Posts: 178	Re: does my 1981 Dana 44 have a solid axle? And are you wanting to know if you have a solid front axle? If so you for sure do. They started using (IFS) indapendent front suspension in 88 up 4x4s.

01-05-2011, 05:49 PM	#4
72timemachine Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles ca Posts: 220	Re: does my 1981 Dana 44 have a solid axle? Thanks two both you guys. Any idea if a 1981 th400 4x4 will bolt up to a 1990 np241 transfer case? One guy I spoke to said that after 1986-87 they shortened the th400 4x4 output shaft by 1" although he cannot be certain. Again thank you.

01-05-2011, 06:19 PM	#5
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	Re: does my 1981 Dana 44 have a solid axle? I think you need a special adapter to make the th400 bolt to a 241 case. is the 90 case even the correct side drop? most of the older chevys have PS drop and the newer trucks have DS drop. __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454

01-05-2011, 07:06 PM	#6
87 V20 Scottsdale Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Georgetown, KY Posts: 183	Re: does my 1981 Dana 44 have a solid axle? benoit454 you're right the drop is on the wrong side; and in '81 the front axle would be a 10-bolt instead of a D44. Unless of course someone else has swapped axles out. __________________ Andrew 1987 V20 Scottsdale 383 TBI, SM465, NP208, 14FF, 4.10 1988 C1500 Scottsdale 305, 700R4, 3.08 1986 K30 Custom Deluxe 6.2, SM465, NP205, 14FF, 4.10

01-05-2011, 07:42 PM	#7
Greenlee Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: El Lago, TX Posts: 1,668	Re: does my 1981 Dana 44 have a solid axle? If your 1990 np241 is from a 3/4 ton Suburban, it should bolt right up to the Turbo 400 and it will have the passenger side drop. It it's from a newer body style truck it will have driver's side drop. If it's from a 90' half-ton Suburban or Blazer it will have the correct drop, but the spline count is different.



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