'70 k20 axles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mullenm · 08-27-2003, 03:14 PM

Hi,
I am going to look at a '70 k20 today which according to the seller has "...ton axles, 4.56 gears, lockers, drum brakes all around..." I have read lots of old posts regarding this and have found out that it probably has a d44 front, drum brakes. I don't REALLY mind drums, but do I have any provision for a disk swap in the future? Are there any other liabilities with this truck, like the eaton rear ( are they really rare and hard to get parts for?) I understand that the rear may be a d60, but I haven't seen the truck yet. Thanks in advance for your help.
matt

**breeh** · 08-27-2003, 04:07 PM

If the D44 is open knuckled then you can swap on discs sometime in the future. As far as the Eaton is concerned, they are not rare but there is a limited parts availability.

1969 GMC · 08-27-2003, 04:39 PM

if its a chevy, then most likely you are gonna get the Eaton. if its a GMC, most likely it will be the dana 60.

krue · 08-27-2003, 10:53 PM

Can't help, but welcome to the board!

leadfoot067 · 08-28-2003, 12:25 AM

the front disk swap is as simple as finding a donor axle robbing all tha parts from the knuckle out and bolting it all back together..if it has an eaton and u dont like it a 14bolt ff is a very easy swap and they are cheap and plentiful

kiley · 08-28-2003, 12:29 AM

I have an eaton in my 71 c20. Replacement drums are $$$yikes! Wheel bearing are a small fortune as well. No such thing as new lockers. If it's got one get it if it's in good shape. Everything I've read says these axles are tough as nails. The ring gear is something like 10 3/4 inches, a real hog. If it's an Eaton it will be round like a basket ball. I can send or post a picture if you want. one.

**JIMs70GMC** · 08-28-2003, 05:06 AM

Should be an open knuckle dana 44 w/ drums. The 70 3/4 ton dana 44 was a one year only production. parts for a 69 can be used (wheel cyclinders, brake lines) but the wheel studs are a different diameter from the early ones and thus the drums are different. I had a hell of a time finding front drums for mine but Jerry Moss came throught. I've had no problems with stopping with 4 wheel drums but do plan on swapping to disc one day....

*gmtrucksaddict* · 08-31-2003, 01:46 PM

there were no dana 60 fronts til soemtime after 72

they are all dana 44

and whats oddon 67-72 K20 is that the front axle is actually 4.55 ratio, even withthe eaton rear 4.57

4.56 would be dana 60 rear

Rod · 08-31-2003, 02:19 PM

Welcome to the 67-72 message boards.

The 70 is a good year to get cause disc swap can be done to that year axle.

08-27-2003, 03:14 PM	#1
mullenm Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1	'70 k20 axles Hi, I am going to look at a '70 k20 today which according to the seller has "...ton axles, 4.56 gears, lockers, drum brakes all around..." I have read lots of old posts regarding this and have found out that it probably has a d44 front, drum brakes. I don't REALLY mind drums, but do I have any provision for a disk swap in the future? Are there any other liabilities with this truck, like the eaton rear ( are they really rare and hard to get parts for?) I understand that the rear may be a d60, but I haven't seen the truck yet. Thanks in advance for your help. matt

08-27-2003, 04:07 PM	#2
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	If the D44 is open knuckled then you can swap on discs sometime in the future. As far as the Eaton is concerned, they are not rare but there is a limited parts availability. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women" Last edited by breeh; 08-27-2003 at 04:49 PM.

08-27-2003, 04:39 PM	#3
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	if its a chevy, then most likely you are gonna get the Eaton. if its a GMC, most likely it will be the dana 60. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

08-27-2003, 10:53 PM	#4
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Can't help, but welcome to the board! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-28-2003, 12:29 AM	#6
kiley Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Keizer, OR Posts: 103	eaton I have an eaton in my 71 c20. Replacement drums are $$$yikes! Wheel bearing are a small fortune as well. No such thing as new lockers. If it's got one get it if it's in good shape. Everything I've read says these axles are tough as nails. The ring gear is something like 10 3/4 inches, a real hog. If it's an Eaton it will be round like a basket ball. I can send or post a picture if you want. one.

08-28-2003, 12:25 AM	#5
leadfoot067 horsepower junkie Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: graham, washington Posts: 326	the front disk swap is as simple as finding a donor axle robbing all tha parts from the knuckle out and bolting it all back together..if it has an eaton and u dont like it a 14bolt ff is a very easy swap and they are cheap and plentiful

08-28-2003, 05:06 AM	#7
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Should be an open knuckle dana 44 w/ drums. The 70 3/4 ton dana 44 was a one year only production. parts for a 69 can be used (wheel cyclinders, brake lines) but the wheel studs are a different diameter from the early ones and thus the drums are different. I had a hell of a time finding front drums for mine but Jerry Moss came throught. I've had no problems with stopping with 4 wheel drums but do plan on swapping to disc one day.... __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

08-31-2003, 01:46 PM	#8
gmtrucksaddict Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: IL Posts: 60	there were no dana 60 fronts til soemtime after 72 they are all dana 44 and whats oddon 67-72 K20 is that the front axle is actually 4.55 ratio, even withthe eaton rear 4.57 4.56 would be dana 60 rear

08-31-2003, 02:19 PM	#9
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Welcome to the 67-72 message boards. The 70 is a good year to get cause disc swap can be done to that year axle. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.



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