Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**72 tigger** · 04-03-2016, 05:13 PM

A guy I know has a 76 4x4 with original caps that I'm going to buy from him- I can't remember if the fronts have holes for lockouts- were locking hubs a option in 76 or did all 3/4 4x4s have them? Thanks!

**1774btcrew** · 04-03-2016, 05:25 PM

All 4x4 caps had holes on the front caps because how far the hubs stick out

1968vetL-71 · 04-03-2016, 07:15 PM

If I remember correctly some 76's didn't have the holes. That would be for full time 4wd. I know my 76 K20 crew has the drive flanges on them and will accept a solid hubcap.
(if you search 1976 silverado K20 on YOUTUBE, there is a beautiful example of a restored 76 3/4 4x4 with full front hubcaps.)

I think if it was an automatic it was a 203/fulltime, and a manual trans had the 205/lockouts. Not 100% tho. But everything i've search seems too show it that way..

1968vetL-71 · 04-03-2016, 08:10 PM

heres a screen shot. Its a really nice rig!!!

**72 tigger** · 04-03-2016, 08:23 PM

Thanks for the input! Went to youtube & watched a 76 commercial of a K20 pulling 187 tons of logs- the front caps were closed- I believe the ones I'm buying are also closed

**jocko** · 04-03-2016, 09:09 PM

Wasn't it a full time (NP203 with automatic trans) vs part time (NP205 with manual trans) differentiation? I thought full time 4x4s had the front cap with no opening because there was no locking hub sticking out as far. I'm more a 67-72 guy and my 76 has a conversion to locking hubs - so who knows... Just throwing that out so maybe I can sharpen my square knowledge when someone replies. But, yes, I've seen the closed caps on square body 4x4s (as well as the caps with holes, and the full vs. part time thing was what I always thought made the difference. I forget the exact year range where the lovely 203 and full time 4wd became standard... (but I know it was definitely before 76 in this case) Glad mine's been converted

Here's a few other 76 K20s I've seen with the hole-less cap. Third same as one in earlier post I believe.

**hatzie** · 04-03-2016, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

Wasn't it a full time (NP203 with automatic trans) vs part time (NP205 with manual trans) differentiation? I thought full time 4x4s had the front cap with no opening because there was no locking hub sticking out as far. I'm more a 67-72 guy and my 76 has a conversion to locking hubs - so who knows... Just throwing that out so maybe I can sharpen my square knowledge when someone replies. But, yes, I've seen the closed caps on square body 4x4s (as well as the caps with holes, and the full vs. part time thing was what I always thought made the difference. I forget the exact year range where the lovely 203 and full time 4wd became standard... (but I know it was definitely before 76 in this case) Glad mine's been converted

Here's a few other 76 K20s I've seen with the hole-less cap. Third same as one in earlier post I believe.

Correct. The NP203 trucks had no manual hubs to stick out.

enaberif · 04-03-2016, 10:09 PM

Hmm I had a 74 and a NP203 and it had hubs that stuck way out and wouldn't be ale to use a solid hubcap.
http://i.imgur.com/l2INXIk.jpg

I would find it VERY hard to believe the hubs on these trucks could accept a solid hub cap.

**72 tigger** · 04-03-2016, 10:18 PM

I believe 76 was the last year for the old style caps- the ones pictured are 77 & up- please correct me if I'm wrong

**jocko** · 04-03-2016, 10:35 PM

The aluminum yellow bow tie caps that had the same shape as the chrome 69-72's (and were "outies" on a 3/4 ton) were a 73-75 item. 76 was the first year for the new style pictured in post 6 I believe..

**hatzie** · 04-04-2016, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enaberif

Hmm I had a 74 and a NP203 and it had hubs that stuck way out and wouldn't be ale to use a solid hubcap.
http://i.imgur.com/l2INXIk.jpg

I would find it VERY hard to believe the hubs on these trucks could accept a solid hub cap.

I had solid caps on my 76 K20 with 8lug wheels till I pulled the slugs when I put the WARN 9072 manual locking hubs on to prep it for the NV4500/NP208

So I guess the answer is lookit yer hubs.

The NP203 does not always = short hubs...

Did the 1/2ton Full Time 4WD have a 10 bolt or a different Dana 44 spindle setup from the 3/4ton? I've seen the longer hubs with shorter locks than my K20 but I'm not sure about the years... I thought it was a 10 bolt vs Dana 44 thing.

**bhc41051** · 04-04-2016, 11:27 AM

I believe this style full-time hub will accept hubcaps without the hole

wildwilly4x4 · 04-05-2016, 07:06 AM

The above post is correct. The only rigs I have every seen with full coverage hubcaps were the full time (NP203) 3/4 ton trucks with the external hub design drive flanges. Some people call this the dana 44HD, although it is no stronger than any other 44. From what I recall it uses different spindles, and possibly a different outer wheel bearing. Its possible that it is rated for a higher load than the other 44s if the outer bearing is bigger, but in actual use as a 4x4 its just another 1/2ton axle. Take the spindle parts difference with a grain of salt, as I'm not completely sure that there is a difference in it or the stub shaft. Supposedly when this style is used with lockout hubs, the hubs become the weak link due to all of the drive torque being transmitted through the hub bolts/clamping force to the wheel hub.

CrewCab59 · 04-05-2016, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhc41051

I believe this style full-time hub will accept hubcaps without the hole

Yes these drive flange will fit under the pre 1976 hub caps. These drive flange hub also came with the Np205 /th400 and Np205/465.

Thanks

**1774btcrew** · 04-05-2016, 03:54 PM

Wow! I guess I learn something new everyday! Most of the 3/4 ton hubcaps I have bought over the years haven't actually been on trucks at the time. That is what makes tis site so great.

CrewCab59 · 04-05-2016, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatzie

I had solid caps on my 76 K20 with 8lug wheels till I pulled the slugs when I put the WARN 9072 manual locking hubs on to prep it for the NV4500/NP208

So I guess the answer is lookit yer hubs.

The NP203 does not always = short hubs...

Did the 1/2ton Full Time 4WD have a 10 bolt or a different Dana 44 spindle setup from the 3/4ton? I've seen the longer hubs with shorter locks than my K20 but I'm not sure about the years... I thought it was a 10 bolt vs Dana 44 thing.

pre 76 3/4 used external hubs.
71-77 1/2 ton Dana 44 used the same lockout
77-91 1/2 & 3/4 Dana 44 & Corp 10 used the same lockout.

04-03-2016, 05:13 PM	#1
72 tigger Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Berne IN Posts: 3,228	Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? A guy I know has a 76 4x4 with original caps that I'm going to buy from him- I can't remember if the fronts have holes for lockouts- were locking hubs a option in 76 or did all 3/4 4x4s have them? Thanks!

04-03-2016, 05:25 PM	#2
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,557	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? All 4x4 caps had holes on the front caps because how far the hubs stick out __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

04-03-2016, 07:15 PM	#3
1968vetL-71 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Murfreesboro, Tn Posts: 1,092	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? If I remember correctly some 76's didn't have the holes. That would be for full time 4wd. I know my 76 K20 crew has the drive flanges on them and will accept a solid hubcap. (if you search 1976 silverado K20 on YOUTUBE, there is a beautiful example of a restored 76 3/4 4x4 with full front hubcaps.) I think if it was an automatic it was a 203/fulltime, and a manual trans had the 205/lockouts. Not 100% tho. But everything i've search seems too show it that way.. __________________ 1969 impala conv 427 #s loaded. dad bought new 1969 "Judge" RA-3, rare warwick blue/white, #'s 1968 vet convertible #s 427/435 tripower (sold) 1968 belair 2door post #s 427/385 1936 ford 5w coupe dads 1st car 1969 camaro ss (17,xxx) miles Wanted: 69-72 suburban project, 69 camaro convertible. also any big block cars. 69-70 gto judge project.

04-03-2016, 08:10 PM	#4
1968vetL-71 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Murfreesboro, Tn Posts: 1,092	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? heres a screen shot. Its a really nice rig!!! Attached Images __________________ 1969 impala conv 427 #s loaded. dad bought new 1969 "Judge" RA-3, rare warwick blue/white, #'s 1968 vet convertible #s 427/435 tripower (sold) 1968 belair 2door post #s 427/385 1936 ford 5w coupe dads 1st car 1969 camaro ss (17,xxx) miles Wanted: 69-72 suburban project, 69 camaro convertible. also any big block cars. 69-70 gto judge project.

04-03-2016, 08:23 PM	#5
72 tigger Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Berne IN Posts: 3,228	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? Thanks for the input! Went to youtube & watched a 76 commercial of a K20 pulling 187 tons of logs- the front caps were closed- I believe the ones I'm buying are also closed

04-03-2016, 09:09 PM	#6
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,962	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? Wasn't it a full time (NP203 with automatic trans) vs part time (NP205 with manual trans) differentiation? I thought full time 4x4s had the front cap with no opening because there was no locking hub sticking out as far. I'm more a 67-72 guy and my 76 has a conversion to locking hubs - so who knows... Just throwing that out so maybe I can sharpen my square knowledge when someone replies. But, yes, I've seen the closed caps on square body 4x4s (as well as the caps with holes, and the full vs. part time thing was what I always thought made the difference. I forget the exact year range where the lovely 203 and full time 4wd became standard... (but I know it was definitely before 76 in this case) Glad mine's been converted Here's a few other 76 K20s I've seen with the hole-less cap. Third same as one in earlier post I believe. Attached Images Last edited by jocko; 04-03-2016 at 09:19 PM.

04-03-2016, 10:09 PM	#8
enaberif Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,181	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? Hmm I had a 74 and a NP203 and it had hubs that stuck way out and wouldn't be ale to use a solid hubcap. http://i.imgur.com/l2INXIk.jpg I would find it VERY hard to believe the hubs on these trucks could accept a solid hub cap.

04-03-2016, 10:18 PM	#9
72 tigger Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Berne IN Posts: 3,228	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? I believe 76 was the last year for the old style caps- the ones pictured are 77 & up- please correct me if I'm wrong

04-03-2016, 10:35 PM	#10
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,962	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? The aluminum yellow bow tie caps that had the same shape as the chrome 69-72's (and were "outies" on a 3/4 ton) were a 73-75 item. 76 was the first year for the new style pictured in post 6 I believe..

04-04-2016, 11:27 AM	#12
bhc41051 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Otway OH Posts: 788	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? I believe this style full-time hub will accept hubcaps without the hole Attached Images

04-05-2016, 07:06 AM	#13
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? The above post is correct. The only rigs I have every seen with full coverage hubcaps were the full time (NP203) 3/4 ton trucks with the external hub design drive flanges. Some people call this the dana 44HD, although it is no stronger than any other 44. From what I recall it uses different spindles, and possibly a different outer wheel bearing. Its possible that it is rated for a higher load than the other 44s if the outer bearing is bigger, but in actual use as a 4x4 its just another 1/2ton axle. Take the spindle parts difference with a grain of salt, as I'm not completely sure that there is a difference in it or the stub shaft. Supposedly when this style is used with lockout hubs, the hubs become the weak link due to all of the drive torque being transmitted through the hub bolts/clamping force to the wheel hub.

04-05-2016, 03:54 PM	#15
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,557	Re: Do all 76 3/4 4x4 front hubcaps have holes? Wow! I guess I learn something new everyday! Most of the 3/4 ton hubcaps I have bought over the years haven't actually been on trucks at the time. That is what makes tis site so great. __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.



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