is this a dana 44 and is it hard to get calipers for it?

[John Fabris]

Hi All,

Found this axle, guy thinks its 4:11, pretty cheap, but it does not have calipers.

claims it is from a 3/4 ton 86 truck, this is a dana 44 right? Is it hard to get calipers for this? Can 1/2ton calipers be used?




He is asking $100.00 for the front axle....

[shilo]

Its not a dana 44. its a 10 bolt. I think 1/2 calipers will work on a 3/4 but im not sure. they shouldnt be expensive regardless. thats a fair price too.

[DirtyLarry]

Yes, ½ ton calipers and ¾ ton Dana 44 or Corp 10 bolt brake calipers are the same. When I swapped my 6 lug ½ ton front brake rotors to 8 lug to match my swapped in 14 bolt FF rear axle, all I had to do was swap rotors and backing plates. The caliper and brake pads were the same.

$100 is a good price. Better score that 14 bolt full floater as well. I wonder how much he wants for that.

[John Fabris]

The rear is already sold....

So, the newer 10 bolt front axle is a good axle for normal driving/towing/fireroad driving?/ I don't plan on rock crawling...

Thanks for the info...

[DirtyLarry]

Too bad about the 14 bolt rear. I have always heard the front Dana 44 and Corp 10 bolt were about equal strength. Sure, we would all love to have a Dana 60 up front but they are getting hard to find and cost a mint. For what you are planning to use it for I am sure you will be fine.

I just ordered a 4:56 gear set, rear Detroit locker and front Detroit Truetrac for mine. I guess I will see how long my front Dana 44 lives once it is geared and limited slipped behind big block power. The truck doesn’t see insane rock crawling or skying over dunes but does see it’s fare share of beatings on trail rides and snow runs. In a perfect world, all of us would have a geared and locked front Dana 60 in our Christmas stockings this year.....but we know that isn't going to happen.

[John Fabris]

Well, picked up that axle today, guy also gave me the front sway bar, shocks, springs and u-bolts... Even loaded it into the truck for me....

Slowly getting ready for that bigblock swap/powersteering conversion/power brake conversion for the 67 burb...

[DirtyLarry]

Sounds like a fun project John.

I like your Sub….that is a nice ebay find. I might even have a full gauge 1968 GMC instrument cluster laying around with an aftermarket tach mounted tastefully in it.

The bezel is even factory red and would match your truck nicely. Come to think of it…..I may have the matching glovebox door too. If I can find them I will shot you a picture and see if you are interested in it.

[86dieselburb]

Remanufactured brake calipers are insanely cheap for the 10 bolt & 44's. My last set cost me a whopping $15 a piece. I just about crapped my self when the parts guy qouted the price.

[JIMs70GMC]

I bought a pair of loaded calipers from autozone for $54. Include the calipers/pads and the bolts for holding them on, plus a few other misc parts. (3/4 ton dana44)

[gn4u2c]

ahh no. must use 79 + calipers if you want your brake line to bolt up. banjo bolt id larger on the oler models. any caliper 1/2 or 3/4 for 1986 will work fine

[DirtyLarry]

Good point gn4u2c…..

I bet in John’s case he will be adding new brake hoses when he does this axle swap into his 67 burb anyway. The drum brake hoses would not have worked with any year of disk brake caliper regardless. As long as the brake hoses match the year of the calipers there should be no problemo.

[John Fabris]

Good info gn4u2c and DirtyLarry!!!

Thanks!!