I work as a mechanic and I have been doing lots of work on a 69 GMC half ton 4x4. I have run in to a problem with the front axle. It has what appears to be a D44, but it is closed knuckle (you have to remove a pipe plug to see the u joint). I don't recall these rigs coming like that. Is it a Jeep part (Gladiator or?) or a Chevy part that I don't know about?

early chevy's used closed knuckle 44's so it is a factory part but I have never worked on one so that is all the help I can give you.

Yup, all the older (pre '72 or so) Chevy's had closed Knuckle Dana 44 fronts, weak. Good new is a later open knuckle 44 will bolt right in, well, mostly.

Thanks, now that I think about it, all of the ones I recall seeing have had axle swaps done. It must be 69 and earlier that has them (4 wheel drum).

yup

My 68 IH pickup has a closed knuckle 44 up front to.

there are 2 typs

the 1/2 ron which is a small ball type (the ball is a bit bigger then a soft ball)

then the 3/4 tone which is a big ball about the size of a volly ball. and has a grate lod capasaty (higher then the open knuckle) and uses the same U joint as the closed knuckle 60 and I hear that U joint is bigger then todyas open knucke

so the 3/4 version is a prety stout axel, turning radus sucks but beefy

My 1960 k20 had a closed knuckle dana 44 front. I ran it till it fell apart. It is well worth it and easy to swap. I thru a 76 3/4 ton 44 under it the only difference was the tie-rod on the drag link and the brake lines.

I have your cure it is sitting in my yard 76 gmc with open nuckle d44 with all steering arms and disc brakes,calipers, in northern seattle area make an offer and bring your tools I'm trying to get tires for my next project no reason able offer will be refused. email me at mindercm@cs.com or call 360-793-0236 ask for chris:D