Question about front axles ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

landon4421 · 01-08-2003, 01:54 AM

The '67 C20 I just picked up has a closed nuckle front axle.
Don't know if that is right or not, wanted to know the + & -'s for that type of axle ?

Dose anyone know? Thank you Landon

red71cheyenne · 01-08-2003, 01:59 AM

It means that you can only run drums on it. If you want disks on the front, you will have to swap out to a 71 or newer axle. Don't know what else to tell you except that they work fine if maintained. So do the drum brakes if adjusted right. Jeff.

O'l Buck · 01-08-2003, 05:24 AM

closed knuckles are tough as nails, but the turning radius kinda sux

MightyFine69 · 01-08-2003, 05:44 AM

It is most likely a Dana 44 HD, which is what I have in my 1969 K20. I have had my truck for about two years now with no trouble until about two weeks ago. I had the internal u-joint on the drivers side break on me. I haven't fixed it as of yet. Other than that I've heard that they are good axles.

**JIMs70GMC** · 01-08-2003, 07:03 AM

In the 44HD closed knuckle, supposedly the u-joint is stronger than the 73 and newer 297x u-joint.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 01-08-2003, 11:43 AM

I never had a enclosed knuckle frontend, but i read in "4wheel and off road" that they dont work well with lift kits. Has any body else read this?
Randy

**Yukon Jack** · 01-08-2003, 02:06 PM

I haven't heard of them having problems with lifts. Mine is doing fine. Like stated, the turning radius sucks and of course gets worse with bigger tires that you just gotta buy after the lift.

Mine will go bye bye someday so I can have disc brakes and something stronger.

landon4421 · 01-09-2003, 06:15 PM

ttt

I was thinking about turning it into a super stock pull truck. It is '67 C20 4X4. That is why I was asking about the + & -'s of the closed knuckle front end.

And If I should ever get around to making this pull truck thing happen I will post pic's. I must get my truck done first.

Thanks for all the input guys!!!

Pont · 01-09-2003, 09:24 PM

The closed knuckle I had in my 67 worked just fine. The only reason I could see to get rid of it (which I did) is to install a later model for the disc brakes. I still have mine, Dana 44 6 lug 4.10 gears. If you want to make the trip up from Hollister, you can have it.

alta-aj · 01-09-2003, 10:57 PM

The 69 I have had a closed knuckle front end and over time and a lot of bush miles the "balls" on the ends of the axle housing where the felt seals go wore out (about a 1/8" groove worn in them). Consequently, I can no longer properly preload the felt seals and therefore the lube leaks out of them. When I did the frameoff, I replaced the front end with one from a 72 with disc brakes - imo, much better.

landon4421 · 01-10-2003, 01:21 AM

Pont, Wish I would have known that in October when I drove up to washington to get my frame from Frank. Thanks alot thought, Kind of a long ride for one axle. Landon

**breeh** · 01-10-2003, 01:37 AM

If one is not enough to inspire you, I will give you one too! I am about to take one to the salvage yard. I heard that the mudrunner guys like them because of the closed design but I don't know if that is true.

01-08-2003, 01:54 AM	#1
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	Question about front axles ? The '67 C20 I just picked up has a closed nuckle front axle. Don't know if that is right or not, wanted to know the + & -'s for that type of axle ? Dose anyone know? Thank you Landon __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

01-08-2003, 01:59 AM	#2
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	It means that you can only run drums on it. If you want disks on the front, you will have to swap out to a 71 or newer axle. Don't know what else to tell you except that they work fine if maintained. So do the drum brakes if adjusted right. Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

01-08-2003, 05:24 AM	#3
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	closed knuckles are tough as nails, but the turning radius kinda sux __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

01-08-2003, 05:44 AM	#4
MightyFine69 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 97	It is most likely a Dana 44 HD, which is what I have in my 1969 K20. I have had my truck for about two years now with no trouble until about two weeks ago. I had the internal u-joint on the drivers side break on me. I haven't fixed it as of yet. Other than that I've heard that they are good axles. __________________ 1969 3/4 ton 4x4 33's with no lift, gotta love it! A man and his truck, it's a beautiful thing.

01-08-2003, 07:03 AM	#5
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	In the 44HD closed knuckle, supposedly the u-joint is stronger than the 73 and newer 297x u-joint. __________________ 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

01-08-2003, 11:43 AM	#6
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	I never had a enclosed knuckle frontend, but i read in "4wheel and off road" that they dont work well with lift kits. Has any body else read this? Randy __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

01-08-2003, 02:06 PM	#7
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	I haven't heard of them having problems with lifts. Mine is doing fine. Like stated, the turning radius sucks and of course gets worse with bigger tires that you just gotta buy after the lift. Mine will go bye bye someday so I can have disc brakes and something stronger. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-09-2003, 06:15 PM	#8
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	ttt I was thinking about turning it into a super stock pull truck. It is '67 C20 4X4. That is why I was asking about the + & -'s of the closed knuckle front end. And If I should ever get around to making this pull truck thing happen I will post pic's. I must get my truck done first. Thanks for all the input guys!!! __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

01-09-2003, 09:24 PM	#9
Pont I need another Barley Pop Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,629	The closed knuckle I had in my 67 worked just fine. The only reason I could see to get rid of it (which I did) is to install a later model for the disc brakes. I still have mine, Dana 44 6 lug 4.10 gears. If you want to make the trip up from Hollister, you can have it. __________________ 67 Short Fleet 4x4 04 Honda CRF450R 89 Toyota 4-Runner 34 Ford 2 door sedan - Long term project ---------------------------------------------- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

01-09-2003, 10:57 PM	#10
alta-aj Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Qualicum Beach, B.C>, Canada Posts: 117	Closed knuckles leak and wear The 69 I have had a closed knuckle front end and over time and a lot of bush miles the "balls" on the ends of the axle housing where the felt seals go wore out (about a 1/8" groove worn in them). Consequently, I can no longer properly preload the felt seals and therefore the lube leaks out of them. When I did the frameoff, I replaced the front end with one from a 72 with disc brakes - imo, much better.

01-10-2003, 01:21 AM	#11
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	Pont, Wish I would have known that in October when I drove up to washington to get my frame from Frank. Thanks alot thought, Kind of a long ride for one axle. Landon __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

01-10-2003, 01:37 AM	#12
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	If one is not enough to inspire you, I will give you one too! I am about to take one to the salvage yard. I heard that the mudrunner guys like them because of the closed design but I don't know if that is true. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.