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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: raymix on May 28, 2006, 09:18:00 pm

Title: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: raymix on May 28, 2006, 09:18:00 pm

Hi,

You already know that i'm newbie here so here it is.
Got 2 axles I got when I bought my 3/4 High Sierra parts P/U.

I dunno heck how to recognize if it's dana 60,40 or whatever.
How do you decipher axles types ?

These are 8 studs (3/4 tons) axles and same axles on the parts pickup (those were for extra parts for repair).
I believe the High Sierra is from '87 but cant be sure.

Here are some pics I took:

Rear axle:



Front axle:





The rear axle on the High Sierra:



Also, how much does they worth you think ?
I'm planning to sell them since my ride is on 1/2 axles.

Sorry to bother with those obvious question for you guys.
Need to start somewhere

Ray.

Title: Re: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: Blazin on May 28, 2006, 10:41:00 pm

#1 is a 14 bolt semi floater, nothing special. # 2 & 3 is a corprate 10 bolt, same axle was used in the half tons of the same vintage. I have piles of these and can't hardly give them away. # 4 looks like a 14 bolt full floater, 3/4 and 1 tons both used this axle, only diferenc is the size of the brakes, price ranges from $100 to $500 around this neck of the woods.  

Title: Re: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: toplessblazer on May 28, 2006, 11:14:00 pm

This might be helpful. axleguide.shtml

Title: Re: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: raymix on May 30, 2006, 03:01:00 pm

Thanks for the link toplessblazer - Very helpful for me

@Blazin: You mentioned about semi floater and full floater, what does it means ?

Thanks a lot for the help guys !

Title: Re: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: roundedline on May 30, 2006, 04:43:00 pm

Semi Floater doesn't have hubs, and full floater has hubs on the end where the wheels bolt to.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

Title: Re: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: Blazin on May 30, 2006, 05:32:00 pm

A semi floater suports the weight of the vehicle and its load on the axle shaft itself with a single wheel bearing in the ends of the rearend housing. A full floater suports the weight of the vehicle and its load on the rearend housing and has an inner and an outer wheel bearing in the hub which the drum and axle shaft are attached to. The hub is attached to the reaend housing in a similar manner as a rotor on the front of the truck, and rides on a spindle in the same manner too.

Title: Re: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: raymix on May 30, 2006, 07:54:00 pm

Aww my ... it's like being at school again, so much infos at the same time but it's okay !

So semi-floater is kinda generic axle for 1/2 tons, no biggie about them right ?

Full floater are stronger and for 3/4 (or maybe 1 tons) so that explain why they can get much beating and loads because of the way they handle the overall weight on the bearing and axle shaft.

The axles I got on my 1/2 4x4 diesel are weak compared to full floater I guess ( I could take a picture of them to make it clear)

Now which brings me to the Dana question, why everyone seems to be keen on Dana axles instead of corporate GM ?
Stronger axle or better than generic axles on GM ?

Title: Re: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: Blazin on May 30, 2006, 11:59:00 pm

Semi floaters are 3/4 ton axles just designed more like the 10 or 12 bolt 1/2 ton units. The parts are bigger etc. just all three have two c clips inside the diferentail that hold the axles in. The axle shaft drives the wheel and suports the weight. A full floater the only job the axles does is drive the wheel.
Dana 44s were offered in 1/2 and 3/4 ton 4x4 trucks for the front axle along with a 12 bolt in the rear up until ( don't hold me to the exact year as I don't remeber ) 77/79 ish, at that point GM started using 10 bolts front and rear. The ring and pinion etc. is same for front and rear 10 bolts. A company called American Axle Manifacturing actually built the GM corprate axles along with other brands axles. 1 ton trucks came with Dana 60s in the front of the 4x4s.

Title: Re: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: roundedline on May 31, 2006, 04:18:00 pm

Everyone is keen on Dana axles because they are still making axles and they have a large following.  There are many upgrades you could say with them.

12bolts were used until 1981.  Yes there were some '82 with them, but...

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

Title: Re: Axles need help identifiying
Post by: Blazin on May 31, 2006, 04:43:00 pm

Just a point. I had an early 81 Blazer with ten bolts all original.