Dana 44HD is a bunch of BS - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ryan68 · 07-01-2005, 12:49 PM

Ok, so I see this everywhere. Why do people think that because they have a Dana 44 out of a 3/4ton and it has 8-lugs makes it an "HD" Dana 44. There is no such thing. Dana 44's are all the same, besides the early models having "neck-down" shafts and 260x U-joints, with same old ones, mostly fords having 19-spline versions. Just because 8-lugs hold the wheel on does not make the axle any stronger than 6-lugs holding the wheel on. It's all the same parts. Well hell, then I have a Dana 44HD under my suburban, it just has 6-lug outers, that's all. Just thought I'd through this out there for people to not get all worked up cause their 44 has 8-lugs.

Mudder · 07-01-2005, 02:23 PM

Today is the first time I have heard one refered to a a "HD".

ryan68 · 07-01-2005, 02:29 PM

I wish I was you then. The people I've run in to throw it around like it's common knowledge or something.

Mudder · 07-01-2005, 02:42 PM

There was a Dana44 with larger hubs that came out, that was confused with the 1tons, could be what everyone is refering to.

ryanroo · 07-01-2005, 03:23 PM

actually from what ive read, the dana 44 HD has a thicker axle tube, no other difference, and i don't know that from personal witness, but its what ive read. and 8 lugs is stronger than 6, spreads the wieght out over more studs. now this is all a moot point if the housing is the same and under the same stress it will fail. but if you are pushing your 44 to the point of housing failure then maybe you should re-evaluate you driving habits.
Ryan

ryan68 · 07-01-2005, 03:35 PM

Obviously 8 lugs is better than 6 lugs, but I haven't heard of anyone having a problem shearing off all their wheel studs and not breaking an axle shaft. Unless they don't tighten their lugs all the way or something. I don't think anything besides launching a truck would cause a 44 housing to fail. I've aired my Suburban before in the sand and it held up, and it does have a small truss on it, but it is more of a differntial skid more than a truss.

toroflow · 07-01-2005, 04:49 PM

HA HA!!! Yeah, I know what you mean about the 44 "HD". The only place I can think this term came from is the pre '77 44 front-ends with the large hubs that required external mounted locking hubs (blot on). These large Spicer brand locking hubs are actually a tad bigger than the 1 ton Dana 60's locking hubs. Perhaps this is where people think they have a "HD" setup? I don't know for sure. What I do know for sure, is that the pre '76 Dana 44 housings, with 2.75" outside dimension (prior to the 3" tube in late '76) had thicker wall thickness at .5". I think the 3" tubers got .375" wall. Thats about the only heavy duty thing about a Dana 44 that I can think of.

full foot notch · 07-01-2005, 11:56 PM

i thought the difference between 44 and the 8lug d44, was the spindles, IE the 3/4 ton d44 had a bigger spindle and bearings hence more weight/load support, if i can find the link on pirate 4x4 ill post about what i had read about the differences

crispy · 07-02-2005, 01:36 AM

what would you guys call the d44 i had on my '70 GMC that had like 14 spline outers... those things were as small as one of my fingers

drink2mny · 07-02-2005, 01:39 AM

Hey Full foot.. i thought the same thing way back till I parted out a couple 1/2 ton 44's and some 3/4 ton..
2 out of 4 of the 1/2 ton 44 had the same size spindle as the 3/4 ton..

So can't really be determined by that either...

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-02-2005, 06:53 AM

The funny thing is, those big external hubs are actually considered weaker than the internal style because of the spacer and length of bolts.

**special-K** · 07-08-2005, 10:22 AM

The spindles,bearings and hub assemblies are bigger on the early disc brake D44s(`71/72).In`72 there was 1st and 2nd design.They were different,too.Also (HD?)3/4t axles have larger brakes.There were different spline-counts over the years.It`s a good axle and I`ve thrashed a few.Usually worn inner spindle(needle)bearings or a bad u-joint in the stub-axles.You can upgrade any of them with stronger axle shafts,u-joints,and trusses.The 3/4t(HD?)are beefier,not in the shafts,though.

ryan68 · 07-08-2005, 11:23 AM

The brakes are not bigger, just 8-holes for studs instead of 6. The hub FLANGES are bigger cause the lug patten is 6.5" round instead of 5.5" round. They use the same hubs, same bearings. The spindles are the same size from what I know as well. I have a friend who put a 14 bolt and 8-lug 44 in a 73 Blazer with lockers front and rear, 35's, 350/350. I have a 6-lug 44 and a 12-bolt, lockers front and rear, in a suburban, 35's, 350/350. We go wheeling together and have the same driving styles. All that ever breaks is the u-joints or shafts. If you have problems with spindles, hubs, or bearings, you have other issues like someone mentioned before. And trusses really don't do much unless you really are trying to mess something up. I have a trusses front and rear, left my front off once, caught some air unexpectedly, bent the rear WITH the truss on it, front was fine.

shilo · 07-08-2005, 12:31 PM

Time for some 1 ton!

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-08-2005, 01:05 PM

Actually the brake rotors are bigger(larger diameter), the calipers are the same. That's why you have to grind the caliper and backing plate on a 44 to get 15" wheels to fit.

**special-K** · 07-08-2005, 09:15 PM

Now don`t go comparing the 12-bolt rear to a 14-bolt,HO52,or Dana60 rear.!2-bolts are notoriously prone to problems when put to serious use off-road.The D44HD is still a D44.Not much difference,that`s why it`s still a D44.If there was more to it,the D44HD would be given a larger number.

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-08-2005, 09:25 PM

The sad part is a dana 50 contains a lot of dana44 parts. You know I actually read some where that the dana44 closed knuckle in 3/4 ton trucks actually had a larger axle u-joint than a 297. I'll see if I can find it. The other sad thing is there's not enough dana 60s to go around. Who put the HD on the dana44? Was it spicer or the auto manufacturer? Is a 3/4 ton 10 bolt refered to as anything special?

**special-K** · 07-09-2005, 03:56 PM

Or,"the people"?I`ve never heard it before now.I guess a D44 in a Bronco or Jeep-sized vehicle would be an Extreme-Duty since the shafts are shorter making them stronger by nature,and they only have 5-LUGS!!

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-09-2005, 04:36 PM

44ed?

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-09-2005, 08:47 PM

h052 and h072 are 10.25"(biggest difference is the size of the brakes),
H110 is the 12+"(does not have a removable cover),
dana60 is 9.75",
14BFF is 10.5" like the dana70.
The semi float 14b is 9.5",
12b is 8.875" and the
10B and dana44 are 8.5".

**special-K** · 07-09-2005, 10:45 PM

The 14-bolt SF is a good bit more axle than a 1/2t.Very under-rated,I think.In a Suburban or 3/4t PU it is more than adequate unless alot of loaded weight is put on them regularly.That is where the benefits of full-floaters sets them apart.

7084Driver · 07-10-2005, 05:07 PM

Ive noticed ive got a 70' d44 that had drum brakes, i bought a 78 model d44 for my 70 so i could have disc brakes. The wheel studs are larger on the 78 model and the tube is 1/4 inch bigger, I ve done alot of measuring and as far as i can tell it should bolt right in, i dont know if having 2 different size wheel studs on the front and rear will be an issue as the rear d60 has smaller wheel studs that the newer d44. can u guys shed any light?? Thanks

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-10-2005, 08:05 PM

should be fine. my 70 GMc is like yours(1/2") and my 71 has the 9/16" studs and I've swapped wheels no problems. You could always upgrade the rear to disc and change out your studs to 9/16".

BobS · 07-11-2005, 07:16 PM

I was just looking through the 1965 GMC Truck Maintenance Manual and it lists three different front drive axles; K1000 (1/2-ton prior to 67), K1500 (3/4-ton), and a Heavy Duty K1500. These are all Spicer 44 axles and there are differences in the steering knuckles and bearings. There was also some discussion about this about 5-6 years ago on the board and one of the members had a K20 that had originally been a Forest Service truck that had the F49 RPO and it had an LSD in the front axle. The 65 manual makes no mention of an LSD.

Bob

Superron21 · 07-11-2005, 08:09 PM

why are 1 ton chevys k 30's when the same GMC is a 3500?

07-01-2005, 12:49 PM	#1
ryan68 Certified Chevy Man Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States Posts: 2,053	Dana 44HD is a bunch of BS Ok, so I see this everywhere. Why do people think that because they have a Dana 44 out of a 3/4ton and it has 8-lugs makes it an "HD" Dana 44. There is no such thing. Dana 44's are all the same, besides the early models having "neck-down" shafts and 260x U-joints, with same old ones, mostly fords having 19-spline versions. Just because 8-lugs hold the wheel on does not make the axle any stronger than 6-lugs holding the wheel on. It's all the same parts. Well hell, then I have a Dana 44HD under my suburban, it just has 6-lug outers, that's all. Just thought I'd through this out there for people to not get all worked up cause their 44 has 8-lugs. __________________ 68 Chevy CST (327,TH400) 3/5 drop lots of fun stuff 71 Suburban 4x4 (350,TH350) 7" lift 37's, D44/14 bolt and other sorts of goodies, lockers front and rear, flexes 40", 895 RTI score Check out my web site!!! http://www.geocities.com/cst68chevy/

07-01-2005, 02:23 PM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Today is the first time I have heard one refered to a a "HD". Last edited by Mudder; 07-01-2005 at 02:26 PM.

07-01-2005, 02:29 PM	#3
ryan68 Certified Chevy Man Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States Posts: 2,053	I wish I was you then. The people I've run in to throw it around like it's common knowledge or something. __________________ 68 Chevy CST (327,TH400) 3/5 drop lots of fun stuff 71 Suburban 4x4 (350,TH350) 7" lift 37's, D44/14 bolt and other sorts of goodies, lockers front and rear, flexes 40", 895 RTI score Check out my web site!!! http://www.geocities.com/cst68chevy/

07-01-2005, 03:23 PM	#5
ryanroo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: sw colorado Posts: 2,720	actually from what ive read, the dana 44 HD has a thicker axle tube, no other difference, and i don't know that from personal witness, but its what ive read. and 8 lugs is stronger than 6, spreads the wieght out over more studs. now this is all a moot point if the housing is the same and under the same stress it will fail. but if you are pushing your 44 to the point of housing failure then maybe you should re-evaluate you driving habits. Ryan __________________ 72 K20 12v build 72 K20 "parts truck" A place for your diesel swap questions

07-01-2005, 03:35 PM	#6
ryan68 Certified Chevy Man Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States Posts: 2,053	Obviously 8 lugs is better than 6 lugs, but I haven't heard of anyone having a problem shearing off all their wheel studs and not breaking an axle shaft. Unless they don't tighten their lugs all the way or something. I don't think anything besides launching a truck would cause a 44 housing to fail. I've aired my Suburban before in the sand and it held up, and it does have a small truss on it, but it is more of a differntial skid more than a truss. __________________ 68 Chevy CST (327,TH400) 3/5 drop lots of fun stuff 71 Suburban 4x4 (350,TH350) 7" lift 37's, D44/14 bolt and other sorts of goodies, lockers front and rear, flexes 40", 895 RTI score Check out my web site!!! http://www.geocities.com/cst68chevy/

07-01-2005, 02:42 PM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	There was a Dana44 with larger hubs that came out, that was confused with the 1tons, could be what everyone is refering to.

07-01-2005, 04:49 PM	#7
toroflow Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 103	HA HA!!! Yeah, I know what you mean about the 44 "HD". The only place I can think this term came from is the pre '77 44 front-ends with the large hubs that required external mounted locking hubs (blot on). These large Spicer brand locking hubs are actually a tad bigger than the 1 ton Dana 60's locking hubs. Perhaps this is where people think they have a "HD" setup? I don't know for sure. What I do know for sure, is that the pre '76 Dana 44 housings, with 2.75" outside dimension (prior to the 3" tube in late '76) had thicker wall thickness at .5". I think the 3" tubers got .375" wall. Thats about the only heavy duty thing about a Dana 44 that I can think of. __________________ Ken '60 GMC 3/4T 4x4 '60 GMC Suburban 4x4 '64 GMC Suburban 4x4

07-01-2005, 11:56 PM	#8
full foot notch Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central florida Posts: 3,223	i thought the difference between 44 and the 8lug d44, was the spindles, IE the 3/4 ton d44 had a bigger spindle and bearings hence more weight/load support, if i can find the link on pirate 4x4 ill post about what i had read about the differences

07-02-2005, 01:36 AM	#9
crispy '71 Chevy Blazer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Leandro, CA (near Oakland) Posts: 96	what would you guys call the d44 i had on my '70 GMC that had like 14 spline outers... those things were as small as one of my fingers __________________ '71 K5 Blazer (new project / daily driver) "If you are not working to improve the situation, you have no business complaining"

07-02-2005, 01:39 AM	#10
drink2mny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: spokane wa Posts: 2,189	Hey Full foot.. i thought the same thing way back till I parted out a couple 1/2 ton 44's and some 3/4 ton.. 2 out of 4 of the 1/2 ton 44 had the same size spindle as the 3/4 ton.. So can't really be determined by that either... __________________ Support The Board

07-02-2005, 06:53 AM	#11
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	The funny thing is, those big external hubs are actually considered weaker than the internal style because of the spacer and length of bolts. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

07-08-2005, 10:22 AM	#12
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	The spindles,bearings and hub assemblies are bigger on the early disc brake D44s(`71/72).In`72 there was 1st and 2nd design.They were different,too.Also (HD?)3/4t axles have larger brakes.There were different spline-counts over the years.It`s a good axle and I`ve thrashed a few.Usually worn inner spindle(needle)bearings or a bad u-joint in the stub-axles.You can upgrade any of them with stronger axle shafts,u-joints,and trusses.The 3/4t(HD?)are beefier,not in the shafts,though. __________________ "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 ~ Last edited by special-K; 07-15-2014 at 07:49 AM.

07-08-2005, 11:23 AM	#13
ryan68 Certified Chevy Man Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States Posts: 2,053	The brakes are not bigger, just 8-holes for studs instead of 6. The hub FLANGES are bigger cause the lug patten is 6.5" round instead of 5.5" round. They use the same hubs, same bearings. The spindles are the same size from what I know as well. I have a friend who put a 14 bolt and 8-lug 44 in a 73 Blazer with lockers front and rear, 35's, 350/350. I have a 6-lug 44 and a 12-bolt, lockers front and rear, in a suburban, 35's, 350/350. We go wheeling together and have the same driving styles. All that ever breaks is the u-joints or shafts. If you have problems with spindles, hubs, or bearings, you have other issues like someone mentioned before. And trusses really don't do much unless you really are trying to mess something up. I have a trusses front and rear, left my front off once, caught some air unexpectedly, bent the rear WITH the truss on it, front was fine. __________________ 68 Chevy CST (327,TH400) 3/5 drop lots of fun stuff 71 Suburban 4x4 (350,TH350) 7" lift 37's, D44/14 bolt and other sorts of goodies, lockers front and rear, flexes 40", 895 RTI score Check out my web site!!! http://www.geocities.com/cst68chevy/

07-08-2005, 12:31 PM	#14
shilo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grand Junction , CO Posts: 602	Time for some 1 ton! __________________ 71 swb 4x4, 37" Iroks, t400/205 496 77 CJ-7, Narrowed Dana 60 Lockrite, 14 Bolt Spool, 4.56 gears, 39.5" boggers. 360 t-18/d20

07-08-2005, 01:05 PM	#15
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Actually the brake rotors are bigger(larger diameter), the calipers are the same. That's why you have to grind the caliper and backing plate on a 44 to get 15" wheels to fit. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm Last edited by JIMs70GMC; 07-08-2005 at 01:06 PM.



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07-08-2005, 09:15 PM	#16
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Now don`t go comparing the 12-bolt rear to a 14-bolt,HO52,or Dana60 rear.!2-bolts are notoriously prone to problems when put to serious use off-road.The D44HD is still a D44.Not much difference,that`s why it`s still a D44.If there was more to it,the D44HD would be given a larger number. __________________ "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 ~

07-08-2005, 09:25 PM	#17
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	The sad part is a dana 50 contains a lot of dana44 parts. You know I actually read some where that the dana44 closed knuckle in 3/4 ton trucks actually had a larger axle u-joint than a 297. I'll see if I can find it. The other sad thing is there's not enough dana 60s to go around. Who put the HD on the dana44? Was it spicer or the auto manufacturer? Is a 3/4 ton 10 bolt refered to as anything special? __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

07-09-2005, 03:56 PM	#18
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Or,"the people"?I`ve never heard it before now.I guess a D44 in a Bronco or Jeep-sized vehicle would be an Extreme-Duty since the shafts are shorter making them stronger by nature,and they only have 5-LUGS!! __________________ "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 ~

07-09-2005, 04:36 PM	#19
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	44ed? __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

07-09-2005, 08:47 PM	#20
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	h052 and h072 are 10.25"(biggest difference is the size of the brakes), H110 is the 12+"(does not have a removable cover), dana60 is 9.75", 14BFF is 10.5" like the dana70. The semi float 14b is 9.5", 12b is 8.875" and the 10B and dana44 are 8.5". __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm Last edited by JIMs70GMC; 07-09-2005 at 08:49 PM.

07-09-2005, 10:45 PM	#21
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	The 14-bolt SF is a good bit more axle than a 1/2t.Very under-rated,I think.In a Suburban or 3/4t PU it is more than adequate unless alot of loaded weight is put on them regularly.That is where the benefits of full-floaters sets them apart. __________________ "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 ~

07-10-2005, 05:07 PM	#22
7084Driver Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 21	Ive noticed ive got a 70' d44 that had drum brakes, i bought a 78 model d44 for my 70 so i could have disc brakes. The wheel studs are larger on the 78 model and the tube is 1/4 inch bigger, I ve done alot of measuring and as far as i can tell it should bolt right in, i dont know if having 2 different size wheel studs on the front and rear will be an issue as the rear d60 has smaller wheel studs that the newer d44. can u guys shed any light?? Thanks

07-10-2005, 08:05 PM	#23
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	should be fine. my 70 GMc is like yours(1/2") and my 71 has the 9/16" studs and I've swapped wheels no problems. You could always upgrade the rear to disc and change out your studs to 9/16". __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

07-11-2005, 07:16 PM	#24
BobS Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: West Central Minnesota Posts: 568	RPO F49 Heavy Duty Four Wheel Drive Front Axle I was just looking through the 1965 GMC Truck Maintenance Manual and it lists three different front drive axles; K1000 (1/2-ton prior to 67), K1500 (3/4-ton), and a Heavy Duty K1500. These are all Spicer 44 axles and there are differences in the steering knuckles and bearings. There was also some discussion about this about 5-6 years ago on the board and one of the members had a K20 that had originally been a Forest Service truck that had the F49 RPO and it had an LSD in the front axle. The 65 manual makes no mention of an LSD. Bob __________________ V-6....only GMC Trucks have it! 62 GMC W5000 NAPCO-V6 65 GMC 2500 NAPCO Panel-V6 66 GMC 1000-V6 66 GMC 1500-V6 67 GMC K1500-SBC (originally a KM-V6) 68 GMC C1500-V6 68 GMC C1500-V6 68 GMC Suburban C2500 70 Chevy K20-SBC 71 Chevy C30 Longhorn-SBC 72 GMC Suburban C1500-BBC 72 Chevy C10-SBC 72 GMC C5500-ToroFlow Diesel Last edited by BobS; 07-27-2005 at 11:04 PM.

07-11-2005, 08:09 PM	#25
Superron21 DONT TRY THIS AT HOME! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 119	why are 1 ton chevys k 30's when the same GMC is a 3500?

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