just got a d44 front off a 78 chevy blazer, need advice

[REDDMANIAC]

I just purchased a d44 front off a 78 blazer but of course its 6lug, so now I need a 6lug rearaxle. What are my options? Can I convert a Ford d60 to the 6lug, I have not found any chevy rear d60's. I must either have a d60 or if absolutely necessary a 14b. I got an eye out for several d60 from Fords but I need advice quick. Or should I just convert the front to match the Ford D60.What are all my options!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/puke.gif" border="0"> REDMANIAC

[Shaker]

Swap 8 lug outters on your front axle and don't look back. you can do a 6 lug 60 but it takes more $$$ than converting the front.....I've done it many times ....

[REDDMANIAC]

Rite on, a fella who knows what he's talking bout'. Thanks SHAKER! BTW, How much We talking bout' for the rear conversion to 6lug? I can get these 60's for $150 complete & pulled. I think I'll just buy both!-RED <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0">

[patooyee]

If you buy the parts new to conver the front to 8-lug, it's expensive. Nearly $600. I'm not sure what all is involved in converting a d60 rear to six lug. I've done the front conversion, though.

J. J.

[powermad]

For a GM 78 D44 all you need to convert to 8 lug is the hubs, rotors and backing plates.
The last time I priced these at a salvage yard it was $250.
I almost went that route but I found a complete axle with the gears I needed for $200.

[patooyee]

That's right. I forgot that yo had a 1978 axle. You won't need spindles like I did, which will reduce the cost. I also bought new manual hubs, ball joints, bearings, calipers, and seals when I did mine.

Anyway, new rotors and hubs I've seen for around $120 for one rotor and one hub assembly for the cheezy Jap brand, and $140 for the good American stuff. You need new backing plates, which I could only find at Border Parts, in CA, for $45 a piece plus shipping. So if if you add that up it comes to about $400 for new parts. You might as well add in more for new bearings and seals though since you would have to be stupid not to replace them during this entire process. (Unless you've recently put in new ones.) And if your u-joints are old, you might as well do those, too. It'll save you the trouble of doing it on the trail when the loose worn ones that you had in there snap.

J. J.

PS: Again, I'm not sure if this is cheaper than converting a d60 rear to 6-lug. There are some of the smaller 14 bolts in 2wd Chevies that are already 6 lug, but they are semi-floating.

[GRMhick]

you could also buy a J-20 dana 60 which is semi floating, 6 lug... sometimes... just keep your eyes open

[Grim Reaper]

You sure it's a D44? 77 was supose to be the last year the 6 lug D44 was on the 1/2 tons. 78 should be a Corp 10 bolt. The 3/4's ran some D44's into 78. Really doesn't matter becahse everything from the Knuckels out was interchangable. What will matter is stuff like Pinion seals and carrier bearings when you need to replace them. 10 bolt is usre a lot easier to set up than a D44 if you plan to regear.

[Lloyd]

Grimmy, I have a 6-lug '78 d44 too, and have seen several others. 44's dribbled out of various assembly plants into the '80 model year as they used up what was in stock.

[Shaker]

Originally posted by redmaniac:
<STRONG>Rite on, a fella who knows what he's talking bout'. Thanks SHAKER! BTW, How much We talking bout' for the rear conversion to 6lug? I can get these 60's for $150 complete & pulled. I think I'll just buy both!-RED <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Dutchman Motorsports 503-253-6648 they can tell you what it would cost. I would grab all the 60's I could for 150.00 a piece. If you can fabricate good you can take toyota rear axles/outter axle bearing cups and weld them on the 60 outters and convert it to 6 lug too. Just an idea for you.....take it easy

[powermad]

Yup I have a 78 with a D44 and 12 bolt.