65 GMC Dana 44 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gfunk6907 · 12-09-2008, 08:47 PM

Hello everyone. I'm a newbie to this and this is my first post. I have a 65 GMC 1/2 ton shortbed fleetside. I am in the process of a frame off rebuild. Starting at the back I have lowered it 5 inches by way of shackles and de-arching the leaf springs. Now I need to get some work done on the Dana 44. I'm in need of some help in this area. I believe its a Dana 44. I want to have it overhauled with new gears and possibly have disc brakes put on it. Is their a disc brake upgrade kit for this? Anyone know of a good place to have the rear end overhauled. I'm in Northern California. I will be running a 2005 5.3l with a 4L60E Transmission. Gear ratio recomendations ? About how much $ can I expect to spend ?
I also have an extra front bumper in great shape from this truck for sale if anyones interested...

1966gmc · 12-09-2008, 08:50 PM

Yes thats a DANA 44 rear. I have the same in mine. As far as gears, check LMC as they sell them. Im not too sure about a disc brake conversion for it though. I really havent looked for one...........yet
Also, Welcome to the boards

d10s69c10 · 12-09-2008, 09:08 PM

a custom weld on conversion should be very easy to do if you can find a rotor that fits your lug pattern get a caliper to match and weld on braces to bolt it on.. But IMO if a 5.3 is going into the truck you might want all that power coming out of a beefier axle IE: 12 bolt, dana 60, will be more work but it will hold up better if you have a heavy foot.

Nice looking truck!
Welcome to the site.

And as a side note you have to (register as a site supporter) to post items for sale. so ya know

PrerunnerRob · 12-09-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfunk6907

Hello everyone. I'm a newbie to this and this is my first post. I have a 65 GMC 1/2 ton shortbed fleetside. I am in the process of a frame off rebuild. Starting at the back I have lowered it 5 inches by way of shackles and de-arching the leaf springs. Now I need to get some work done on the Dana 44. I'm in need of some help in this area. I believe its a Dana 44. I want to have it overhauled with new gears and possibly have disc brakes put on it. Is their a disc brake upgrade kit for this? Anyone know of a good place to have the rear end overhauled. I'm in Northern California. I will be running a 2005 5.3l with a 4L60E Transmission. Gear ratio recomendations ? About how much $ can I expect to spend ?
I also have an extra front bumper in great shape from this truck for sale if anyones interested...

Welcome locally from San Jose! There is rear end specialties in San Jose, all they do is differentials. You may want to look at swapping that rearend for a GM truck 12 bolt, or get someone who knows dana 44's well to check if they even make disc brakes for that. What tire height are you going to run? That will help dictate what gears would be a good choice.

**Captainfab** · 12-10-2008, 12:23 AM

Welcome to the board from Idaho!

I'm assuming you'll be upgrading the front to discs as well. Before you spend any money on that 44, I would suggest first deciding what wheels you want and whether or not they are available in 6 lug. If they aren't available in 6 lug then an upgrade to 5 lug allaround will be in order. If that's the case then it would be beneficial to switch to a different rear diff. that would either already have 5 lug, or is easier to convert than the 44. Also disc brake kits are available for the 12 bolts in either 5 or 6 lugs. Let us know if you need any help.

gfunk6907 · 12-10-2008, 04:49 PM

Thanks for the insight fella's. I found a 12 bolt out of a 78'' bazer on the local craigslist that i'm gonna pickup for $40. I have researched and from what I found is that the Dana 44 I currently have measures 60 inches and the one from the 78'' measures 62 inches. Has anyone done a swap like this without having to shorten the wider 12 bolt. I'm gonna save the dana 44 for one of my other projects.

72' Chevy C-10 stepside
55' Chevy Big Window Stepside
54' Chevy Five Window stepside
53' 2 dr Bel Air
69' Mustang mach 1
64' Ford Falcon Van

d10s69c10 · 12-10-2008, 05:39 PM

i wouldent worry about the extra 1" on each side. a 1" more inset rim would eat that up no problem.. if you were going to want to maintain stock tire width. but you should have plent of room in that fenderwell for whatever you would like.

12-09-2008, 08:47 PM	#1
gfunk6907 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Livermore,CA Posts: 2	65 GMC Dana 44 Hello everyone. I'm a newbie to this and this is my first post. I have a 65 GMC 1/2 ton shortbed fleetside. I am in the process of a frame off rebuild. Starting at the back I have lowered it 5 inches by way of shackles and de-arching the leaf springs. Now I need to get some work done on the Dana 44. I'm in need of some help in this area. I believe its a Dana 44. I want to have it overhauled with new gears and possibly have disc brakes put on it. Is their a disc brake upgrade kit for this? Anyone know of a good place to have the rear end overhauled. I'm in Northern California. I will be running a 2005 5.3l with a 4L60E Transmission. Gear ratio recomendations ? About how much $ can I expect to spend ? I also have an extra front bumper in great shape from this truck for sale if anyones interested... Attached Images

12-09-2008, 08:50 PM	#2
1966gmc Why does it taste purple? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge Md Posts: 621	Re: 65 GMC Dana 44 Yes thats a DANA 44 rear. I have the same in mine. As far as gears, check LMC as they sell them. Im not too sure about a disc brake conversion for it though. I really havent looked for one...........yet Also, Welcome to the boards

12-09-2008, 09:08 PM	#3
d10s69c10 Built 4 Speed Join Date: May 2008 Location: Geneva FL Posts: 619	Re: 65 GMC Dana 44 a custom weld on conversion should be very easy to do if you can find a rotor that fits your lug pattern get a caliper to match and weld on braces to bolt it on.. But IMO if a 5.3 is going into the truck you might want all that power coming out of a beefier axle IE: 12 bolt, dana 60, will be more work but it will hold up better if you have a heavy foot. Nice looking truck! Welcome to the site. And as a side note you have to (register as a site supporter) to post items for sale. so ya know __________________ 1969 C/10 Short Box: 496/T-56 in worx. "To Be Old And Wise, First You Must Be Young And Stupid" Last edited by d10s69c10; 12-09-2008 at 09:22 PM.

12-10-2008, 12:23 AM	#5
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: 65 GMC Dana 44 Welcome to the board from Idaho! I'm assuming you'll be upgrading the front to discs as well. Before you spend any money on that 44, I would suggest first deciding what wheels you want and whether or not they are available in 6 lug. If they aren't available in 6 lug then an upgrade to 5 lug allaround will be in order. If that's the case then it would be beneficial to switch to a different rear diff. that would either already have 5 lug, or is easier to convert than the 44. Also disc brake kits are available for the 12 bolts in either 5 or 6 lugs. Let us know if you need any help. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

12-10-2008, 04:49 PM	#6
gfunk6907 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Livermore,CA Posts: 2	Re: 65 GMC Dana 44 swap to 12 bolt Thanks for the insight fella's. I found a 12 bolt out of a 78'' bazer on the local craigslist that i'm gonna pickup for $40. I have researched and from what I found is that the Dana 44 I currently have measures 60 inches and the one from the 78'' measures 62 inches. Has anyone done a swap like this without having to shorten the wider 12 bolt. I'm gonna save the dana 44 for one of my other projects. 72' Chevy C-10 stepside 55' Chevy Big Window Stepside 54' Chevy Five Window stepside 53' 2 dr Bel Air 69' Mustang mach 1 64' Ford Falcon Van

12-10-2008, 05:39 PM	#7
d10s69c10 Built 4 Speed Join Date: May 2008 Location: Geneva FL Posts: 619	Re: 65 GMC Dana 44 i wouldent worry about the extra 1" on each side. a 1" more inset rim would eat that up no problem.. if you were going to want to maintain stock tire width. but you should have plent of room in that fenderwell for whatever you would like. __________________ 1969 C/10 Short Box: 496/T-56 in worx. "To Be Old And Wise, First You Must Be Young And Stupid"



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