Anyone ever done a front dana 44 drum to disc conversion? If so I would like to know if I need the steering knuckles and/or drag links as well as the backing plates, spindles & wheel bearings  

Never done the conversion but the K10 and K20 D44 front axles are the same except for hub on spindle. (you can put a D44 8 lug hub on a 6 lug D44) I assume you upgraded rear axle to a 10.5 and now you need to swap out front to match wheels. If you ever do this again, look for a 14 bolt 9.5 SF GM rear axle as it can be had in 6 or 8 lug flavors so you can upgrade without needing to change wheels.