Dana 60 on 1976 gmc 3/4?

[DBear]

At the junkyard today and came across a '76 gmc 3/4 ton 4x4, and not sure if it had a dana 44 or 60. The hubs were not locking hubs....they had a cap bolted to the axle ends, they looked like axle hub ends like on a large rear axle or maybe an all the time 4x4. Anybody know what this could be and if gm would of put a dana 60 in a '76 gmc 3/4 ton? Thanks
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[wilkin250r]

Most likely it was a Dana44, with an NP203 transfer case. The transfer case is full-time 4 wheel drive, so the hubs are locked all the time, which is why they just have a cap on them. It has a differential between the front and rear driveshafts, but you can also lock them together.

I've got this same setup in my 79 3/4 ton. Corp 14B full floater in the rear, Dana44 up front, front hubs don't unlock.

[DBear]

Ok.....i want to possibly put this front axle into my 71 burb, which has a np205 transfer case. How can i make this work....most inexpensive route? Could i add manual lockout hubs? Or is this gonna be a big fiasco? Thanks for ur info bud
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[Zane M]

You can change the axle over to manual hubs if you wanted to use it with your current tcase set up.

[special-K]

Yep. The Dana44 is the same with or w/o full-time 4wd (NP203/205). The hubs are the only difference and they are interchangeable. The l/o hubs are the later smaller design,same size as K/10.

[DBear]

Other than the closed hubs, is there anything else inside the differential that would need changing?
Just dont want to get into a big mess and money pit!
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[DBear]

Also, when we say manual lockout hubs, you meant the warn style lock outs right? Not the entire hub assemblies? Thanks again
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[CrewCab59]

If it have a bolt on flange with a ring of bolts and a dust cap they are drive flanges , which would have the same hub used with the big spicer hubs.The t-case could be a Np203 or Np205 becuase they used both with drive flanges. If it has a cap than it's just the std D44 / corp 10 hub small hub.

Take a look at the pics in the axle

[CrewCab59]

The drive flanges also came on D60 as well , the steering arm will tell what you have 3 bolt D44 and corp 10, 4 bolt D60 .

[DBear]

Originally Posted by CrewCab59

If it have a bolt on flange with a ring of bolts and a dust cap they are drive flanges , which would have the same hub used with the big spicer hubs.The t-case could be a Np203 or Np205 becuase they used both with drive flanges. If it has a cap than it's just the std D44 / corp 10 hub small hub.

Take a look at the pics in the axle

Hey bud....the axle picture u posted is what that axle hub looks like in the junkyard. Is this a good style and ur saying it will work with my np205 setup???? Thanks again!
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[b454rat]

it will work, but the front end will be spinning all the time. You would need a set of heavy duty lockouts, Ford ones will even fit. Ones listed below would work, nevermind the hilariously absurd price...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Dana-Spi...90043f&vxp=mtr

[CrewCab59]

Originally Posted by DBear

Hey bud....the axle picture u posted is what that axle hub looks like in the junkyard. Is this a good style and ur saying it will work with my np205 setup???? Thanks again!
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Yes ,they are stronger than any lockout because all gears nothing to break.Yes they will work with the 205 ,shafts will spin all the time.

If you plan on installing lockouts than you'll need the big hub spicer lockouts or the external flange ,Mile Markers ,Warn . The small hub dana 44 and corp 10 use the same lock out 77-91.

Here are the pics of the warn lockouts
left pre 76 6 bolt flange
right 77 and up.

[bilfman]

I have been reading the thread, its been all about hubs and that is fine.

Just make sure that your front and rear gear ratios match if you plan the swap. That will be the biggest concern in putting in another axle.

[Mike C]

Yup. What Bilfman said. Went all the way to the bottom to see that he beat me to it. While you grab the front, get the 14 bolt in the back as well. Then you will be set.

[Dooley]

Originally Posted by DBear

At the junkyard today and came across a '76 gmc 3/4 ton 4x4, and not sure if it had a dana 44 or 60. The hubs were not locking hubs....they had a cap bolted to the axle ends, they looked like axle hub ends like on a large rear axle or maybe an all the time 4x4. Anybody know what this could be and if gm would of put a dana 60 in a '76 gmc 3/4 ton? ThanksPosted via Mobile Device

GM did not use the Dana 60 front axle until the 1977 model year in 1 ton 4x4's.
If there is a Dana 60 series front in any thing less than a GM 1 ton square body, and before 1977, somebody else installed it.