ridefast
03-06-2005, 05:05 PM
the 1979 chevy k10 was offered with either the dana 44 or the gm axle which was quite similar.
what are the differences between these two axles? what is interchangeable?
any links to comparisons, etc (tried searching)
can i drop dana case/gears into the gm axle that measures the same?
details plz! :D
NOODLES
03-06-2005, 05:47 PM
The 44 chunk is different. Will not work with 10 bolt. The inner axles will not interchange between 10 bolt and 44. The parts that do, are from the knuckle out.
ridefast
03-06-2005, 06:25 PM
how do you visually tell a difference between the two?
does the d44 not have 10 bolts on the cover as well?
GRMhick
03-07-2005, 02:52 AM
10 bolt has a round cover. The tubes are generally thicker (3/8" v 1/2") on half ton axles. The early 10 bolt (pre-1988) has 28 spline shafts where the dana 44 has 30 splines. Also the contact angle on the splines are different (30* vs. 45*). From the knuckles out they are identical. Both use the same axle U joint too.
The 10 bolt gets its bad rep because its carrier isnt properly braced so you get diflection in the carrier caps. Also the gov locks have too many moving parts so they explode.These problems are mostly only problems in rear axles, not fronts.