gmc/dana rearends

[53sparks]

i have a 68 gmc with leaf springs and dana 44, ineed a new rear i found one out of a 71 gmc jimmy4x4 with leafs, i realize the newer one might be wider but are the spring perches the same and shock mounts, all 1/2 ton 6 bolt rims thanks for the help
Ron

[special-K]

The 4wd models have springs mounted closer to center of truck.You can swap your carrier if that`s where your problems are,providing both rears are the same series ratio.

[53sparks]

Thanks,

[LONGHAIR]

You can swap your carrier if that`s where your problems are,providing both rears are the same series ratio.

It is not nearly as simple as that statement makes it sound.
You can't "just swap" carriers, like it is "swapping" valve covers or something.
It is a lot more sophisticated work to change a carrier. You can quickly destroy a gear-set w/o proper set-up.
What is wrong with the axle you have?

[badpeanut]

Originally Posted by 53sparks

i have a 68 gmc with leaf springs and dana 44, ineed a new rear i found one out of a 71 gmc jimmy4x4 with leafs, i realize the newer one might be wider but are the spring perches the same and shock mounts, all 1/2 ton 6 bolt rims thanks for the help
Ron

The '71 4x4 would have a 12-bolt, so the innards are not interchangable with your Dana 44. Also as others have stated the spring perches are in different locations, there are differences in the bump stops, and possibly differences in the shock mounts. I recently finished a rearend swap in my '72 leaf sprung two-wheel drive pickup.

[53sparks]

i am not sure what is wrong with it other than it was rattling and clanking really loud, when i stopped and looked there was smoke coming out of the differential, i assume no gear lube (the only fluid i did not check) so the GMC jimmys came with 12 bolt? thanks again Ron

[special-K]

Varify which rear you have.You could have a Dana44,especially in a Jimmy.When I said "swap" I meant the parts can interchange.You`d have what you`d need to repair the rear you have.The parts are compatible if they are both 3.73:1-3.08:1 or both the lower gearing.I wasn`t tying to give anyone skills they didn`t already have.Just advising on options,as asked.People call it engine swapping even when it takes adaptors and fabrication.I hope I wasn`t too misleading.