Dana44 front axle - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72bigred · 09-17-2019, 11:36 PM

Hi all.. quick question.. Nephew picked up a 69 gmc 4x4.. Dana 44 front with drum brakes.. I am a 2 wheel drive guy myself so clueless to the 4wheels. Was wondering what I should be looking for for a quick swap axle wise for the front of this truck, kid with big tires with manual drum brakes... He should not be on the road. Need to get him swapped over to power with disc up front.

Thanks

**special-K** · 09-18-2019, 12:20 AM

You can use any newer GM Dana 44 or 10-bolt. I'd get the steering box and drag link from same truck

Mike C · 09-18-2019, 07:55 AM

69 should be a closed knuckle front so it does need a complete axle swap. You need to ID what gear ratio you have to go looking for a donor unless you are capable of a ring and pinion swap.

Any disc brake axles from 71-91 will work. Dana 44 are found up to 79/80 or so and after that the corporate 10 bolt. They are both acceptable IMO. Pick one with the same gear ratio and bolt it in.

I have the original 1/2 ton 44 in my truck with 8 lug parts swapped on from an 86 3/4 ton Suburban. In my kids truck we just swapped in a complete 8.5” 10 bolt from an 84 3/4 ton Sub. I had already put 4.09 gears in my 44 and his Sub axle was 3.73. We did swap a posi from a 79 trans am into the front 10 bolt on his truck because I had it.

palallin · 09-18-2019, 09:47 AM

Could you teach kid to drive properly and leave the truck alone?

72bigred · 09-18-2019, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the replies guys, teaching the kid to drive is easy.. Teaching others how to drive not so much.. Freeway traffic and drum brakes are not compatible these days..

09-17-2019, 11:36 PM	#1
72bigred Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 254	Dana44 front axle Hi all.. quick question.. Nephew picked up a 69 gmc 4x4.. Dana 44 front with drum brakes.. I am a 2 wheel drive guy myself so clueless to the 4wheels. Was wondering what I should be looking for for a quick swap axle wise for the front of this truck, kid with big tires with manual drum brakes... He should not be on the road. Need to get him swapped over to power with disc up front. Thanks

09-18-2019, 12:20 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Dana44 front axle You can use any newer GM Dana 44 or 10-bolt. I'd get the steering box and drag link from same truck __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-18-2019, 07:55 AM	#3
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,715	Re: Dana44 front axle 69 should be a closed knuckle front so it does need a complete axle swap. You need to ID what gear ratio you have to go looking for a donor unless you are capable of a ring and pinion swap. Any disc brake axles from 71-91 will work. Dana 44 are found up to 79/80 or so and after that the corporate 10 bolt. They are both acceptable IMO. Pick one with the same gear ratio and bolt it in. I have the original 1/2 ton 44 in my truck with 8 lug parts swapped on from an 86 3/4 ton Suburban. In my kids truck we just swapped in a complete 8.5” 10 bolt from an 84 3/4 ton Sub. I had already put 4.09 gears in my 44 and his Sub axle was 3.73. We did swap a posi from a 79 trans am into the front 10 bolt on his truck because I had it. __________________ 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

09-18-2019, 09:47 AM	#4
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Re: Dana44 front axle Could you teach kid to drive properly and leave the truck alone? __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt. Last edited by palallin; 09-18-2019 at 10:24 AM.

09-18-2019, 10:50 AM	#5
72bigred Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 254	Re: Dana44 front axle Thanks for the replies guys, teaching the kid to drive is easy.. Teaching others how to drive not so much.. Freeway traffic and drum brakes are not compatible these days..



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