Dana 44 flat top knuckles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ron · 02-16-2004, 01:23 AM

I'm doing a tech page for an International 4X4 club. The subject is converting to High Steer on a D-44 equipped Scout. For this conversion I replaced the Scout knuckles with Chev "flat top" knuckles like the ones in the picture. The drivers side came with the 3 studs, the pass side had to be machined flat than drilled and tapped. The spindle bolt patteren was changed to 8 holes also. I found the knuckles in a junk yard and I do not know what vehicle they came from. The question is, what exact year truck were right and left flat tops found on? I'm thinking like mid 1970's 1/2 ton but I would like to less vage in my write up. Thanks

Destructo · 02-16-2004, 01:39 AM

I think about 74 is when they went to round top, so I think 70-74 maybe? I know they used closed knuckles in the late 60's maybe? Hopefully somebody can verify the info. But I know your looking pre-74

*1FaastC10* · 02-16-2004, 02:25 AM

i think that any D44 under a 73-87 truck should have flat tops. if im not mistaken, the D44 got used up to '78/79

danho · 02-16-2004, 02:39 AM

73-77 Chevy / GM 1/2 ton 4X4 with Dana44 passenger knuckles are flat tops.
73-87 Chevy / GM 1/2 ton 4X4 with Dana44driver's knuckle are flat tops

Thank Billa Vista for this info.
Dan.

Ron · 02-16-2004, 02:48 AM

OK, the drivers side is easy to find but what year did BOTH knuckles have a flat top as in the picture? The axle I found in the junkyard were both flat top however like a 76 Blazer had a flat top only on the drivers side. Thanks

drink2mny · 02-16-2004, 03:38 AM

"they" say the years from '73-'76 1/2 chev dana 44 are the only years that might have the passenger side knuckle flat....I have seen 3/4 ton also have the flat top and came off a '76.. I guess it depends how far in the year it was made.
There also were jeep knuckles but then we don't need those for our rigs...
I suggest if you do come across this, grab the matching knuckle from the other side..

No 10 bolt front ever had a flattop.So basically nothing since 78-79 on up ever had flattop unless some put an older front in..

*1tonswb* · 02-16-2004, 04:28 AM

76 was the last year for the flat tops. I had a 77 3/4 ton with a dana44 and it did not have the flat top. My old 76 3/4 did have the flat tops. So I would say 76 was the last year. Also the last year for the tie-rod on top of the knuckles.

Ron · 02-16-2004, 01:37 PM

So... 73 to 76 1/2 ton GM trucks had flat top knuckles on both sides. I think the same is true for the Wagoneer. One more question, is the 3/4 ton flat top the same as the 1/2 ton?

*1tonswb* · 02-16-2004, 03:01 PM

Yes.....they are the same.

**kwmech** · 02-18-2004, 11:07 PM

1971 to 1976 had the flat tops both 1/2 and 3/4 ton. The earlier front axles 69 and 70 also had flat tops but they were a little bit different due to being drum brake.

*1FaastC10* · 02-19-2004, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by danho
73-77 Chevy / GM 1/2 ton 4X4 with Dana44 passenger knuckles are flat tops.
73-87 Chevy / GM 1/2 ton 4X4 with Dana44driver's knuckle are flat tops

Thank Billa Vista for this info.
Dan.

80+ trucks did not have a D44 in them, they had a corprate 10 bolt front axle, 77-79 is a big tossup as to what you got between the D44 and the 10 bolt.

DaHateTank · 02-20-2004, 01:02 AM

...got a '76 3/4 ton front with round top knuckles on it. I don't think it had been swapped. Maybe round top knuckles were phased in???

'spose I could decode the BOM...

-M

02-16-2004, 01:23 AM	#1
Ron Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Zillah Wa. USA Posts: 394	Dana 44 flat top knuckles I'm doing a tech page for an International 4X4 club. The subject is converting to High Steer on a D-44 equipped Scout. For this conversion I replaced the Scout knuckles with Chev "flat top" knuckles like the ones in the picture. The drivers side came with the 3 studs, the pass side had to be machined flat than drilled and tapped. The spindle bolt patteren was changed to 8 holes also. I found the knuckles in a junk yard and I do not know what vehicle they came from. The question is, what exact year truck were right and left flat tops found on? I'm thinking like mid 1970's 1/2 ton but I would like to less vage in my write up. Thanks Attached Images __________________ '69 SWB '76 International "Terra" "Hooked on holiday beer"

02-16-2004, 01:39 AM	#2
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	I think about 74 is when they went to round top, so I think 70-74 maybe? I know they used closed knuckles in the late 60's maybe? Hopefully somebody can verify the info. But I know your looking pre-74 __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

02-16-2004, 02:48 AM	#5
Ron Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Zillah Wa. USA Posts: 394	OK, the drivers side is easy to find but what year did BOTH knuckles have a flat top as in the picture? The axle I found in the junkyard were both flat top however like a 76 Blazer had a flat top only on the drivers side. Thanks __________________ '69 SWB '76 International "Terra" "Hooked on holiday beer"

02-16-2004, 03:38 AM	#6
drink2mny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: spokane wa Posts: 2,189	"they" say the years from '73-'76 1/2 chev dana 44 are the only years that might have the passenger side knuckle flat....I have seen 3/4 ton also have the flat top and came off a '76.. I guess it depends how far in the year it was made. There also were jeep knuckles but then we don't need those for our rigs... I suggest if you do come across this, grab the matching knuckle from the other side.. No 10 bolt front ever had a flattop.So basically nothing since 78-79 on up ever had flattop unless some put an older front in.. __________________ Support The Board

02-16-2004, 01:37 PM	#8
Ron Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Zillah Wa. USA Posts: 394	So... 73 to 76 1/2 ton GM trucks had flat top knuckles on both sides. I think the same is true for the Wagoneer. One more question, is the 3/4 ton flat top the same as the 1/2 ton? __________________ '69 SWB '76 International "Terra" "Hooked on holiday beer"

02-16-2004, 02:25 AM	#3
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	i think that any D44 under a 73-87 truck should have flat tops. if im not mistaken, the D44 got used up to '78/79

02-16-2004, 02:39 AM	#4
danho Pesemistic Optimist Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Prineville, Oregon Posts: 227	73-77 Chevy / GM 1/2 ton 4X4 with Dana44 passenger knuckles are flat tops. 73-87 Chevy / GM 1/2 ton 4X4 with Dana44driver's knuckle are flat tops Thank Billa Vista for this info. Dan.

02-16-2004, 04:28 AM	#7
1tonswb Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 300	76 was the last year for the flat tops. I had a 77 3/4 ton with a dana44 and it did not have the flat top. My old 76 3/4 did have the flat tops. So I would say 76 was the last year. Also the last year for the tie-rod on top of the knuckles.

02-16-2004, 03:01 PM	#9
1tonswb Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 300	Yes.....they are the same.

02-18-2004, 11:07 PM	#10
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,480	1971 to 1976 had the flat tops both 1/2 and 3/4 ton. The earlier front axles 69 and 70 also had flat tops but they were a little bit different due to being drum brake.

02-20-2004, 01:02 AM	#12
DaHateTank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 119	...got a '76 3/4 ton front with round top knuckles on it. I don't think it had been swapped. Maybe round top knuckles were phased in??? 'spose I could decode the BOM... -M



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