K20 Front Axle Help

[willem445]

I have posted previously about a clunking/grinding when the 4x4 is engaged in my 1980 Chevy K20, well I finally got around to checking it out..







So now I'm looking for replacement parts and to do that I would like to identify my axle. I think its a Dana 44 but im not sure. The locking hubs say spicer on them. From what I can tell the code stamped on the axle is 6100 1 4 11 15 97BF. I can find anything to match but the 61 seems to be what dana 44s are stamped as. I didn't take a pic of the diff cover but it looks to be the same.

The tag on the dif cover reads 45 11 4 09 which is 4.09 gear ratio, correct?



Would this be the correct differential carrier assembly?
http://www.jegs.com/i/Motive-Gear/683/706021X/10002/-1

And this the correct ring and pinion gears?
http://www.jegs.com/i/Spicer/094/202...FQKUaQodoxYPlA

Am I on the right track?

[b454rat]

It's a Dana 44. But IMO, I wouldn't spend the money on a new carrier, when there a metric **** ton of these around. All you need to do is find another 44 with 4.10s and take the whole thing. Just be careful with the Ford stuff, some will work but not all. Dodge, GM, 3/4 like yours 80 and older, 1/2 was till 76-ish I think. IH, even some Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport rears have 4.10s with a posi....

[willem445]

Originally Posted by b454rat

It's a Dana 44. But IMO, I wouldn't spend the money on a new carrier, when there a metric **** ton of these around. All you need to do is find another 44 with 4.10s and take the whole thing. Just be careful with the Ford stuff, some will work but not all. Dodge, GM, 3/4 like yours 80 and older, 1/2 was till 76-ish I think. IH, even some Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport rears have 4.10s with a posi....

About how much would it cost to pull one from an old vehicle vs. buying a new one?

[hatzie]

Get a GM axle. If you have the big old Spicer locking hubs hang onto them. For that matter put the knuckles and half shafts on a shelf.

You can use either a Dana 44 or 10 bolt.

The Dana 44 outer parts will bolt up to the 10 bolt center section as a unit. Meaning... The knuckles and all the parts from there out will interchange. The INNER axle shafts will not but the stubs inside the hubs will.
I would replace all the slingers, and seals in the spindle/hub assembly along with the Spicer 5-760X universals and the inner axle seals. Replace the needle bearings. Clean and check the taper bearings. Grease and re-use if they look good.

[SquareChevy]

Originally Posted by willem445

About how much would it cost to pull one from an old vehicle vs. buying a new one?

I just went and bought a whole 12 bolt rear out of a junkyard for 80$ and 12 bolts arnt as easy to find imo.

yes ik u r looking for a front axle but they will prob charge about the same maybe even less

I went to the junkyard and found a **** ton of 10 bolts with g80's in them (meaning automatic lockers) so you are lucky. IMO id go buy one out of a junkyard for about a quarter of the price of a new one
Also if you cant find the same gearing and if ur old ones arnt messed up, use the same ring and pinion

[hatzie]

Honestly I would just use a truck 10 bolt rear rather than search madly to find a truck 12 bolt rear. The strength difference is so slight it's almost not worth worrying about. The truck 10 bolt ring gear is only 1/4" smaller 8.5" vs 8.75" in diameter. The 10 bolt axle holds more fluid and the pinion shaft is larger diameter in the truck 10 bolt. Pretty much a wash as far as strength goes for a 1/2 ton.

I've seen prices from $50-$300 for used front and rear 1/2 & 3/4 ton axles.

[b454rat]

You can use a 10 bolt 81 and up, it will bolt in, and many came with 4.10s. Up to 91, and 89-91 had bigger inners so lil bit of an upgrade strength wise. Many bash a 10 bolt, but it's based off the 44, so everything from the knuckles out is interchangeable. And being a 10 bolt, many think its junk and will sell it cheap.

[cadillac_al]

I see front and rear axle sets for sale all the time for $300 or so when I don't need one. When you need one it is usually harder to find one but they are out there.

[Mattchu60]

You should be able to find a Dana 44 or 10 bolt front axle pretty cheap. I had one with 3.42 gears and new moog ball joints installed - put on CL for $100 and never had a single bite on it. Ended up scrapping the thing.

[willem445]

I have two 10 bolt rear axles. Would the carrier be interchangeable?