CK5 - The Full-Size GM Off Road Community

Will the stronger axle shafts from a '73 up 1/2 ton D44 swap into a '72 3/4 ton D44? Or do I need to find a set from a 3/4 ton D44?

You can use any D44 shafts. The 73- shafts are actually preferable because they use the larger 297 u-joint as opposed to the 260's that the pre-73 ones use.

Yup, I second that....

Hub design plays no part correct? In regards to internal or external. I too would like to upgrade my axle u-joints from the 260 to 297.

Same here my current setup has external locking hubs. Are the shafts still the same as internal locking hubs?

The only hub difference that matters is auto vs manual hubs. The auto hub shafts have one extra snap ring grove on them.

To use the newer 297 shafts all you have to change is the spindle seal. The kit that I got had a metal ring that made the old axle look like the newer one and so they both use the same seal but the older ones have to use the ring (and the newer ones throw it away). The p/n is BK1 (SKF brand) for that kit.

Thanks!

To add to the confusion, some late '72s supposedly got axles with the 297X universal joints. At least, that's according to Randy's Ring and Pinion.

My 72 had them (297)when I bought my rig and as far as I could tell when I rebuilt my D44 ALL the parts looked stock. I don't know for sure thouh...

How wide are the 297s compared to the 260s? I'd be able to measure without taking it apart I think. My front is out of a '72 K20, don't know if it was early or late '72.

I don't know the measuremnts but you can tell the larger one from the smaller one with out pulling the axel.
Go to a parts house with your rig and ask for a Spicer 5-297x Ujoint and you should beable to hold it next to the axel in your front and tell that way..
Good luck