need help with axle choices

[eedgell]

I found a wrecked 71 K20 with eaton rear and 10 bolt corp front. I think I can pick up the whole mess for real cheap, but want to use the axles for a K20 upgrade from my K10. Would I be better off to find a 14 bolt corp and a dana 44-60 for the front as far as parts go? Is the eaton rear and 10 bolt front worth picking up any way?

[1969k10stepside]

If its an original 71 K20 it will have a dana 44 front.The only thing different between a 1/2 and 3/4 ton is the rear diff.The front is the same except for the hubs.I think you would be better off with a 14 bolt because of the availabilty of parts.As I stated above,if you really want a difference in the front drivetrain,you need to step up to a dana 60 front axle

[eedgell]

I dont know for sure what is up front, but I know it is not a dana. So I assumed it was corp. The frame on this thing is complete with 4 speed and np 205. It also has the manual throttle option. The cab is smashed on the drivers side and it has flat bed. The frame looked un messed with. I did not spend alot of time looking at it because it is in the mud and I had my 4 year old son with me. Definitely some parts there, but I am looking for axles. If these are troublesome the eaton and what ever the front is, maybe I will keep looking.

[1969k10stepside]

I wouldn't call them troublesome but you really aren't gaining much by adding them.A Eaton rear can be a great axle with the right stuff.But,unless you beef up a 44 or go Dana 60 the front isnt being improved

[earl87gta]

I kept my eaton axle i like it and sevral off road guys do you can use some 14 blt parts with the eaton. truble is limited gearinf most are 4:57 and some are 4:10 but hard to find you can by rebuild kits for them now but they are big $$$. Fot the front if you off road it with big tires a d60 is the way to go. if your just looking for better stoping power the 3/4 axles will be ok.

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

The Eaton axles will last a long time and are tough as a D60 rear, only drawback is you only have 3 ratios availible. Unless you use 14 bolt axles and carrier like Earl said then you can get higher gears. D44 front axles were used in 67-72, so if it's a Corporate 10 bolt it's out of a '73 thru '80's model GM truck.

[1969 GMC]

If the diff has little ears on the bottom of it, then it's a 10 bolt. Otherwise, it's most likely a Dana something or other. GM started phasing these in place of the D44's in the late 70's, but all of the 1980's vintage 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks had them.

EDIT: is the option sticker intact for the truck? Might be worth a look to see if there is a No-Spin (Detroit Locker) mentioned on it for the Eaton. Then I would DEFINITELY grab it.

FYI, the Eaton's are stronger than the D60 rearend. Not sure why exactly the D60 is perpetrated as being a stronger rear, it most certainly isn't. I think it stems from the fact that you can still buy gears for the D60, and a lot more ratios than you can for an Eaton, so people think the Eaton is brittle or something. It is the predecessor to the 14 bolt, I think they are about equal in strength, and as far as Dana axles go, they are comparable to the D70.

[eedgell]

Thanks guys. I think I will wait for a later model one ton and grab the 14 bolt rear, and the dana 60 front. Direct install with no cut and paste. Better parts supply as well.

[eedgell]

The only bad thing about this find was that I tried to buy the whole truck, but since it was in a local scrap yard, they could not or would not sell the truck to me compete. The other thing was it was in line to be crushed!!!!! No saving this one!!!! 350, SM465, NP205, Eaton rear, 10 bolt front, Factory manual throttle.

[msgross]

you could buy the drivetrain though.... Good guts their to work with...