Rear bearings destroyed 78 K20

[masterlock]

Hey guys,
So I went and really screwed up!!! Stripped down my rear end (Dana 60, I know it's not the factory rear end) installed all new seals and bearings, installed disc brakes and put it all back together. I was pretty impressed with myself. Today I hear some grinding and get home to smoking axles, pull everything apart and I see the dry burning disaster that used to be bearings. Question what do I do now, oh and I can't get the axle nut off so I'm pretty sure the threads are screwed.
I don't want to dump the whole thing since I just did the brake job so I'm thinking about just getting a used Dana 60 rear end I just don't know which one I should be looking for, any help would be great!

[nonstop]

Are you talking axle bearings? Assuming so, there are a couple trains of thought. You could locate the bill of material number on the axle tube, then check it on Danas website. That will at least point you in the right direction for which application it came out of. Since it is a 4 wheel drive, you have to make sure the ratios match. Also check to make sure the bearings have not spun on the carrier.

I know you don't want to hear it, but a 14 bolt would likely be easier and cheaper to locate. You could sell the brake brackets and buy the right ones for the 14 bolt, and the rest of the parts will likely swap over.

[masterlock]

I agree and have already begun the search for a 14 bolt. thee Dana 60 is a PITA and it is difficult and expensive to find parts. That being said, can I just buy a newer 14 bolt or should I look for a rebuilt one, it's getting close to flood season around here and I need to get this thing back in the road ASAP.

[masterlock]

Would a rear axle from a 1986 c20 4x2 bolt right in?

[nonstop]

It should - is the ratio the same as the front? There could be slight differences in parking brake cables, but otherwise it should work just fine.

[masterlock]

The front is a Dana 44 I'm not sure what the ratio is on that one

[nonstop]

There should be a tag on it. If not, the sure fire way to know would be to take off the cover and count the teeth, or check for numbers on the ring gear.