ball joint problem

[FrankenTruckSS]

Hey, my truck is registered as a 74 c10, because thats what it has for a frame, but it was converted to 4x4 at some point in its life and the 350 was swapped for a 305 H.O. out of a monte carlo SS. I need to replace the ball joints and have no idea what to get because i dont know if that was changed when it was converted to 4x4 or not. Only the front ones are gone, and i was hoping to have them fixed by the end of next week. Thanks in advance for your help.

[roundedline]

Is it still 4WD?  If so you don't have balljoints but kingpins.  All parts are specific to the axle.  Once you find out what you have you can get the parts a lot easier.

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

[73K20]

Unless it is a Dana 60, he has ball joints.

1973 K20 - 350/465/205

[roundedline]

My bad, that is correct.  I had Dana 60 on my mind....

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

[FrankenTruckSS]

what is the easiest way to figure out what axle i have?

[FrankenTruckSS]

ok, i just went out a few times and layed in puddles in my driveway trying to find casting numbers and the BoM number and whatnot. I was not able to find the model number or BoM, but i did find 3 other numbers (this is the front axle):

side of differential case: C113 or C173 (not sure which,  but i think it is C113)

Other side: GM5 (which, according to various websites means it is a 3.89:1 ratio rear axle)

and on the bottom right near the edge was 14038378

It is just the front balljoints that need to be replaced, so this is all the front axle. What threw me was when i found out GM5 was rear axle. So i am not sure if the differential case was switched or what. Also, i was looking on the axle tube for other numbers, but i couldnt find any. I am not sure if maybe when the other guy who built most of it put all the rancho stabilizers and whatnot on he may have welded over the numbers. I will try and check next time it is a nice day out and i have time to see it i can locate any other numbers. If that is all i need, then thats great. Anyone know whats goin on here?

[roundedline]

If it is a Dana front axle the bill of material number will be stamped on the right hand side axle tube. It should be like 603....., 604.... or 605.....  At the flange where it meets the axle (where the spot weld is) on the right bottom flange, looking at the housing cover, it might have a 44 stamped in the flange.

You could also use the chart listed here:
www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml

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

[FrankenTruckSS]

yeah, i checked for the BoM number and model number. I think it is a GM axle because i couldn't fimd the "44" on the flange, but i found GM5. The rancho suspension components for steering and whatnot i think were welded over the BoM # if there is one, otherwise they were welded very close. If it is a GM axle, how do i find out which kind?

[FrankenTruckSS]

It is a Dana 44, that chart helped, thank you. So do i need teh BoM to know which balljoints i need, or are they all the same for Dana 44?