6 lug Dana44 to 8 lug

[Eichorst69]

I am changing a 72 4x4 1/2 ton Dana44 to 8 lug and have a few questions.
1. Are the 1/2 ton rotors & caliper mounts the same size as the 3/4 ton?
2. Can 1973-1988 parts be used?
3. Are there just the two styles of spindles, 1/2 w/ small inner bearing & 3/4 w/ the larger inner bearing or are there different styles of the 3/4 spindle for different years? Thanks

[earl87gta]

you will need the 3/4 caliper mounts and 3/4 rotors. yes 1973-1988 parts can be used. as far as I know thier are only the 2 spindal types. ware in south Fla are you?

[kwmech]

The easiest will be to find an 8 lug, later model 44, or 10 bolt at the wrecking yard and either grab everything from the spindles out--including the outer stub shaft---or buy the complete axle and swap that in--if the ratios match. The 8 lug stuff is larger in diameter so, so yes the backing plates are different. there were 2 different 8 lug spindles. The early style which had the 'bolt on' locking hubs and the later which had the internal style locking hubs. The early style spindles and hubs are obsolete, so stay away from those.



edit: actually there are 3 different spindles. Early 1/2 ton which is the small inner bearing, (603049) The early 3/4 ton x-tra large inner (368a) And the later 1/2 and 3/4 took the same spindle which has the 104949. All of them take the same outer.

[customcamper72]

#1. no, 1/2 ton uses smaller diameter rotors, so the mounts place the calipers in different locations. #2. yes, you should be able to use any dana 44 or G.M. 10 bolt rotors & caliper brackets. #3. I think 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton use the same spindles, the only difference might be between internal and external style lockout hubs, but you could check part numbers for both styles & compare them.

[earl87gta]

thier are 2 typs of spindals thier ie a big baring and a small baring then thiere are 2 types of hubs the ones with the six bolts like the 1/2 ton and then the I think its 6 bolts but they are external to the hubs.
here are some pics of the hubs I just got for my convertion.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ight=earl87gta

[see ten]

My brother just did a 6 to 8 lug conversion on his Blazer. I know he changed the spindles and the rotors. I don't know what he did about bearings. Calipers were the same.

[special-K]

3/4t spindles are different as well as everything from there out.In the 3/4t disc brake spindles there was the`71-`72 1st design and a 2nd design`72 where the moving parts will be different.You`ll need to know the axle model# off of the tube near the diff housing to the right.You`d do best to get the 2nd design as parts are tough on the 1st...no replacement spindles available and few good used.I can decode #s if you have them.A total axle swap would be the easiest way to go.Both these designs use the same identicle hubs(lock-outs)so you can`t go by that.They toatally interchange.

[Eichorst69]

Thanks for all the help. What I have actually done is pulled the closed knuckle dana44 w/ drums out of my 69 3/4 ton 4x4. I have a dana44 open knuckle w/ disk from a 72 1/2 ton Blazer. I already took the gears, carrier, axels, etc. out of the old closed knuckle and put them in the open knuckle. Now I need to find 3/4 ton spindals, hubs, rotors, caliper mounts, etc. My main concern now is that I get 3/4 ton disk brake spindals that will work with this 72 dana44. The #'s on the axle tube are 128 2C4 and 603351 9.
Earl, I am in Boynton Beach, just south of W. Palm Beach.

Rob

[special-K]

You`ve got the 1st design.It`s the same from`70-`72(housing).The spindles are 71/72* and 1/2t & Blazer are different from 3/4t.*1st design

[earl87gta]

Originally Posted by Eichorst69

Thanks for all the help. What I have actually done is pulled the closed knuckle dana44 w/ drums out of my 69 3/4 ton 4x4. I have a dana44 open knuckle w/ disk from a 72 1/2 ton Blazer. I already took the gears, carrier, axels, etc. out of the old closed knuckle and put them in the open knuckle. Now I need to find 3/4 ton spindals, hubs, rotors, caliper mounts, etc. My main concern now is that I get 3/4 ton disk brake spindals that will work with this 72 dana44. The #'s on the axle tube are 128 2C4 and 603351 9.
Earl, I am in Boynton Beach, just south of W. Palm Beach.

Rob

to bad your so far down my dad lives in north Fla and I have a hole axle here if you cant find what you need PM me.

[Eichorst69]

Thanks, so if i'm thinking right, any 3/4 ton spindal will bolt to the housing. Then I'll need to find 3/4 ton hubs & rotors that will work with the spindals.
Am I thinking right???
Maybe Earl has all I need!!!

Rob

[earl87gta]

you need from the backing plate out.
backing plate ( caliper mount)
spindalis
the correct hub for that spindals
and 3/4 ton calipers.

[special-K]

Outer axle shaft to match the spindle,also.

[Eichorst69]

Where/how do the outer axle shafts need to match the spindles? I have the outer shafts from both the closed knuckle 3/4 ton and the open knuckle 1/2 ton. They are the same length, diameter & # of splines but they are a little different where the shaft meets the u-joint, the open knuckle shafts have what I guess is a large round dust shield there. Are there other differences for other years, etc. Thanks

Rob

[special-K]

I couldn`t describe it without holding them and in your presence.But I mean 1st design shaft w/1st design spindle and 2nd design shaft w/2nd design spindle.