Axle type question

ridinwfo · Mar 6, 2008

I found a older chevy 4x4 pickup, I think 1/2- 3/4 ton, and it is a solid axle. It looks like it has a dana 44 axle in the front but not sure about the rear, maybe 12 bolt. I have been searching online about what kinds of axles came in these trucks. Not very specific anywhere. Seems like the year for them is 73'-87' for the solid axle 1/2-3/4 ton pickups. The front axle is a kingpin type axle.

Anyways just wanted to know if anyone knows what type of axles are in these trucks and if it is worth the trouble in getting the axles? Is a 12 bolt sturdy? Did these chevy pickups come with dana 44 fronts in them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

zukkev · Mar 6, 2008

It all depends on what year the truck is, in the 73-87 range, the front in a half ton was a 44 til like 1980, then they went to a 10bolt(8.5" ring gear); the rear was a 12 bolt til about the same year, then went 10 bolt; The real question is whether the truck in ? is a half ton, 3/4 ton, or 1 ton, seeings how you state it's a kingpin style front axle; does it have 6, or 8 lug wheels:eeek: ? I thought kingpin fronts were only avail in the Dana 60; Hope this helps.....

datsunon40s · Mar 6, 2008

take a pic of the diff cover and ill tell you what it is

pokey · Mar 6, 2008

the 10 bolt and 44 look alike but the 10 bolt has little notches in the casting around the perimiter right behind the cover. they also both have ball joints.

NotMatt · Mar 6, 2008

We're just guessing until you can post a year or pics... but if it's 8 lug and you're sure it's king pin, it could be a 60. If it's really old, it might be something else. 44's and 10 bolt front axles in most 1/2 and 3/4 ton rigs are ball joint axles.

Cascade_Crawler · Mar 6, 2008

year, lug pattern, and truck size...

1/2 ton
D44 or GM8.5 (10 bolt) front...
D44, 10 bolt, 12 bolt, D60 for the rear

NotMatt · Mar 6, 2008

Cascade_Crawler said:
D60 for the rear

You mean 14 bolt? :flipoff:

Cascade_Crawler · Mar 6, 2008

NotMatt said:
You mean 14 bolt? :flipoff:

early GMs had 60s in the rear

crash2 · Mar 6, 2008

Cascade_Crawler said:
early GMs had 60s in the rear

Really... Had to be like early 70's and older....

Jaydog · Mar 6, 2008

Cascade_Crawler said:
early GMs had 60s in the rear

Most of the 67-72 3/4 ton had Eatons, which were full floating, looked like a 10 bolt with a 10 3/4 ring gear and dropped out of the front like a Ford 9 inch. In the front they had an 8 lug Dana 44.

bigd9247 · Mar 6, 2008

this might help:

http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml

NotMatt · Mar 6, 2008

Cascade_Crawler said:
early GMs had 60s in the rear

I've heard of pre-72 GM 60's in the 3/4 ton trucks... so I suppose you're right, but still.... :flipoff:

Cascade_Crawler · Mar 6, 2008

NotMatt said:
I've heard of pre-72 GM 60's in the 3/4 ton trucks... so I suppose you're right, but still.... :flipoff:

exactly, older, as in way older. :flipoff:

leadfoot067 · Mar 6, 2008

alot of GMCs in 67-72 had the 60 rear,it was simply a box that got checked when the truck got ordered....ive personally had 2 of them myself...most chevys had the eaton in 67-72....few had the 60...

ridinwfo · Mar 6, 2008

Thanks guys for all the suggestions, but I haven't been by yet to look at it again. Prob gona stop by tomorrow. I know for sure that it is a 80's chevy pickup. Prob with in a year or 2 before they went to the independent front ends. Truck has the motor and manual trans along with the transfer case. Hopefully be a good deal. hoping that the front is a dana 44. I will let you guys know what I find.