I have things sitting in place where I can put them back without mixing them up not sure the ball joints are all that bad not sure if I can check them from where I am now truck up on stands. Guess I could replace them though

 

I would be looking for things like the shafts in a junkyard, then going to the parts store or Rock auto for the U-joints/wheel bearings, etc. Got any yards locally?

 

The truck is back on the road. Randy's had a hard time getting me the correct seal for the passengers side, in by the pumpkin, but I finally found one. The tough seal to install was the one by the axle disconnect. What a bugger to get it in straight.

 

Good stuff, glad to hear it. What did it end up costing you? (if you don't mind me asking...)

 

The new shaft at Randy's was $120.00 and the u-joints were $35.00 each. The whole thing was slightly under $300.00 and that included a new upgraded shaft, 2 upgraded u-joints, seals, grease, gray RTV, and shipping. The dealer wanted $299.99 just for a replacement shaft if they could find one, which they couldn't.

I did find out that apparently this specific Dana 44 was only used from 87-89. There are slight differences in the Dana 44s through out the first Gen run. I know there were at least 6 slightly different to majorly different 44s for first Gen trucks.

 

Oh I hear ya on the obscure dana 44 part. My '72 has an 8 lug, open knuckle, drum brake 19 spline 44. They only used that particular axle under '72-'73 dodge w200's, and even then some W200's got a '60 front end. Wheel bearings arent even in the books. It was a nightmare replacing those bad boys...

Anyway, It seems like you got out without it getting ridiculously expensive, so that's good.