What are the diferences, I am in the market for one.

Charlo

A 73 3/4 ton will be a D44 external hub axle.
One ton axles are a D60, a completely different animal.
The biggest difference besides being bigger and alot stronger is a D60 is gonna cost a hell of alot more.
A 3/4 ton axle will set ya back around $200, a D60 .. expect to shell out at least $1000 for one.
Unless ya get lucky and score one for $500 like my buddy did yesterday.
If ya don't plan on going any bigger than 35" tires then a D44 or 10 bolt will be fine as long as the axle is maintained.
I plan on running 40's or bigger once my 8" lift goes on so I am on the hunt for a D60.

thought 77 was the intro year for 60s
sorry cant help you as to what came in 73

I was hoping to use 40s or 44s eventually. Any idea how much more parts are for a d60 compared to d44? Thx for the info power. The 1 ton has a d60 front 14bolt rear?

Charlo

3/4 ton and 1 tons all used D44s up through 1976. In 77 they introduced the D60 for 1 tons and kept the D44s for the 3/4 tons.

both have 14bolt FF rear
The difference in 44 & 60 parts prices is probably not enough to worry about. The reason a 44 is cheaper to buy is that ithey are much more common to find.

I find that a general rule of thumb is that 60 parts are about double 44 parts, $ wise (not including gears and lockers).

Pete

I agree with that. There were some many D44s produced that the parts are cheaper.

A dana 60 would be nice but I refuse to deal with california smog any more so I need something pre 74. I also dont like the body styles for the 72 and earlierr which limits me to 73. Are all 1 tons BB?

Charlo

Just get a 73 3/4 ton and swap in a D60.
Just because a rig is a one ton dosn't nesessarily mean it will have a BBC in it.
Lots of them came with 350's and 400's.
Or find a decent 73 C20 camper special most that I have seen have a 454 in them, Mine does.
Then get a K30 rolling chassis and swap the body onto it.
Not sure if ya can get away with that in cali though.

Originally posted by charlo
A dana 60 would be nice but I refuse to deal with california smog any more so I need something pre 74. I also dont like the body styles for the 72 and earlierr which limits me to 73. Are all 1 tons BB?

Charlo

Not all 1 tons have BB and I don't see how swapping a D60 in place of a D44 would violate CA smog laws, but I may be misreading post. If you are in the market for a wheeler, find a cheap 73 K20 and buy it. Pretty much anything from 73-87 is a direct bolt on and for under 10K you should be able to have a wicked rig. See below.

Then get a K30 rolling chassis and swap the body onto it. Not sure if ya can get away with that in cali though.
I dont think Cali cares as long as it is DOT approved and does not violate smog. I would love to do something like that but I dont have a damn driveway. I am thinking of buying a trailer just so I can leave a non running vehicle around.

Charlo