My 66 smashed in ds axle.. Need help

[RedElvis]

I was headed to the UPS the other day to ship out a bumper for a '67 Impala that I sold on FB MKPlc.. Doing about 35 or so with a bold green light ahead. Some jackass pulled a surprise U-turn right in front of me. I tried to avoid him and pulled a hard right but he hit me in the wheel and fender anyway and drove me up onto the curb.. Caved in the fender, bent the axle housing, brake backing plate, wiped out the hubcap, trim ring and tore a hole in the wheel.. Don't know what's up with the front end now but the steering wheel went from perfectly horizontal to vertical now.. Probably because the rear is tracking wrong? Drove the truck home but could hear the tires cross dragging.. Couldn't do more than 30 MPH without loud screeching.. Glad to be home safe but DANG-IT!! I've been really enjoying this truck since I got it in August.. Put 8000 miles on it.. Always careful.. Just took one split second and all that changed.. I'm glad to still be here and, as hard as he hit me, I'm glad he didn't hit me in the door.. Might had smashed my head out the window.. I am now at the point of dropping the rear and trying to get her back on track.. Now gotta find an axle, which is the main problem. What is the interchange on these? Many different years? More than just '64-'66? I need one I can buy and bolt right in.. I'm in Charlotte NC..

[RedElvis]

pics.. U-bolts are new because the y were twisted and one of them broke when I took them off..

[Funky61]

Sorry to hear this RedElvis, but glad to hear you are OK and made it home in one piece.

I can't help you on the rear end swap but hopefully someone will chime in.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Dang she was a beauty too. Glad you're OK. I can't help on the rear end either but maybe BBV6 or Ed will pop in with some good info.I would think almost any Dana 44 should bolt right up, but I don't know c'mere from sic'em so don't quote me on that.

[RedElvis]

I've found a few Chevy rears but they are coil spring and trailing arm.. Been told I can grind the welds off the mounts on my rear and then weld them to the Chevy but I'd prefer an actual GMC rear all ready to go.. Any other years beside 60-62 GMC that will bolt right in? 67-72 GMC have leaf springs still?

[RedElvis]

Before the wreck with the rest of the fleet..

[RedElvis]

Good news! They 20 year old uninsured driver has stepped up and is sending me money on his own to fix my truck. Already send a payment of $150 and then a week later $100.. He's still on the hook for $950 so I hope he follows through.. I found the Dana 44 rear with 3.54 gears I needed in Bailey NC and picked it up Wednesday.. I took my old one out yesterday and today I will be installing the replacement.. I'm rebuilding the brake system and will pop the cover off the rear to inspect the gears/top off the lube.. Hammered out the fender but it needs more dolly work and tin knocking.. Probably just buy a new fender..

[lizziemeister'sV6]

Sorry about the accident - at least you are going forward with replacing the GMC parts with GMC parts. Keep that uninsured motorist true to his word on sending your balance of $$ - does your state have a law that uninsured motorist lose their privilege to drive? Driving is a privilege - not a right. Your insurance company should be all over this. Good luck.