Dana
44 Rear Axle
Where
to get them from:
- Dodge, Ford, GM, International, and Jeep
Jeep
CJ
- Before 1972 all CJ Dana 44s had an offset differential
since the Dana 18 transfer case has the rear output shaft
offset to the passenger side. Before mid 1970, they used
a 19 spline or 27 spline, two piece axle shaft. After
mid 1970, they used a superior 30 spline flanged axle
shaft.
- The Dana 44 was introduced in the CJ line on the CJ-3A
starting with serial number #37549 (late '50). Earlier
CJ-2As and CJ3As did not use the Dana 44. Starting in
1972, the Dana 20 transfer case was used which has the
rear output shaft centered, so the rear axle has the differential
in the center. From 1972-1975 the Dana 44 was used with
a 30 spline flanged axle shaft. This Dana 44 uses 11"
drum brakes and the most common ratio is 3.73.
- After '76, the AMC 20 was the the only axle used in
CJs with two exceptions. Some CJ-7s with the Borg-Warner
Quadra-Trac transfer case came with a 30 spline, one piece
shaft, offset, narrow track Dana 44. The other exception
is in 1986, when CJ production was coming to a close AMC
20s were in short supply, so they used wide track Dana
44s in some of the '86 models. Bolt on compatible with
any '76-'86 CJ, but wider than earlier narrow tack AMC
20s. Use of the Dana 44 in 1986 began somewhere between
serial numbers ending with 049379 and 054173. The axles
were flanged, but I'm not sure of the spline count. Common
ratios were 2.73 and 3.31.
- All CJ Dana 44s use a 5 on 5.5" wheel bolt pattern.
XJ
and MJ Dana 44
The XJ and MJ are/were available with a Dana 44 with the
heavy duty towing option or metric ton option. I'm not
sure if the XJ always came with a Dana 44 when the towing
option was ordered. The axles will interchange between
the models and use a 5 on 4.5" wheel bolt pattern.
This axle could also be a good low buck swap for a Wrangler
YJ, but the sping perches would need to be moved. The
shafts are one piece and 30 spline.
ZJ
Dana 44
The ZJ Dana 44 is the only Jeep Dana 44 with an aluminum
differential housing. It is also a C-clip axle with one
piece shafts and a 5 on 4.5" wheel bolt pattern.
Because of the aluminum housing and C-clips, it is not
really any more desirable than a Dana 35c. The shafts
are 30 spline.
TJ
Dana 44
One of the great things about the new TJ is it can be
ordered with a Dana 44 rear. The Dana 44 in the TJ uses
one piece shafts with a 5 on 4.5" wheel bolt pattern.
Common ratios are 3.07 and 3.55.
Other
Dana 44
The Dana 44 used in the military M38, M38A1, M170, Willys
Wagon, and Willys Pickup was the same was the version
used in the CJ vehicles during that time period. Willys
Pickup and FC trucks had a couple others optional rear
axles used with models with higher GVW. The Dana 44 was
the light weight model for the Willys Pickup and FC trucks.
All these Dana 44s use a 5 on 5.5" wheel bolt pattern.
The
Dana 44 was standard in Wagoneers, full size Cherokees,
and J series pickups. A wide track version was introduced
for the Cherokee and Wagoneer in the 80s. The Cherokees
and Wagoneers built from 1974 on use a 6 on 5.5"
wheel bolt pattern. Models built before 1974 used a 5
on 5.5" wheel bolt pattern. Most rear ends before
'74 use the weaker 2 piece shafts, but some of the later
ones uses 1 piece shafts. The early Wagoneer and Cherokees
used Dana 30 and Dana 27 front ends.
The
Dana 44 used in the '72-'73 Jeepster Commandos with the
one piece shafts is an excellent low buck swap from '76-'86
CJs. It bolts right on, has 30 spline one piece shafts,
and is narrow track width.
Dana
44 rear axle from 50s Willys Wagon. This Dana 44 uses
10 spline, two piece shafts. You can see the caps on the
end of the shafts for the nut. It is much wider and uses
wider spring perches than the CJ Dana 44.
Center
differential rear Dana 44 from '72-'73 Commando. This
version also has one piece 30 spline shafts and both shafts
are the same length.
Model/Version
|
Spring
Pads
|
Wheel
to Wheel
|
Years |
Dana
44/CJ Narrow Track
|
28"
|
50.5"
|
'50-'75 |
Dana
44/M38
|
28"
|
50.5"
|
'50-'55
|
Dana
44/M38A1
|
28"
|
50.5"
|
'50-'55
|
Dana
44/Willys Wagon
|
n/a
|
n/a |
'50-'65
|
Dana
44/Willys Pickup
|
n/a |
n/a |
'50-'65
|
Dana
44/M170
|
28"
|
50.5" |
'50-'6?
|
Dana
44/FC Truck
|
n/a |
n/a |
'57-'65
|
Dana
44/SJ Narrow Track
|
n/a |
59"
|
'62-'81
|
Dana
44/Jeepster Commando
|
36"
|
50.5"
|
'62-'73
|
Dana
44/J Pickup Narrow Track
|
NA
|
n/a |
'63-'81
|
Dana
44/J Pickup Wide Track
|
NA
|
n/a |
'82-'87
|
Dana
44/SJ Wide Track
|
NA
|
n/a |
'82-'91
|
Dana
44/CJ Wide Track
|
36" |
54.5"
|
'86
|
Dana
44/XJ
|
NA
|
n/a |
'84-
|
Dana
44/MJ
|
NA
|
n/a |
'85-'92
|
Dana
44/ZJ
|
NA
|
n/a |
'95-
|
Dana
44/TJ
|
NA
|
60"
|
'97-
|
Assembly
Specifications |
| Cover
Bolt Ft. Lbs. |
30-40 |
| Pinion
Brg. Preload In. Lbs |
20-40 |
| Pinion
Nut Ft. Lbs. |
200-220
|
| Ring
Gear Backlash |
005-.008 |
| Ring
Gear Bolt to case Ft. Lbs. |
45-60
|
| Side
Brg. Caps Ft. Lbs. |
70-90 |
BACK
