What axle is a Dana 44?
A Dana 44 axle is a type of automotive axle commonly used in various trucks, SUVs, and off-road vehicles. It is known for its durability and strength, making it a popular choice for applications that require heavy-duty performance.
Overview of the Dana 44 Axle
The Dana 44 axle is named after the Dana Corporation, the company that originally developed and manufactured this axle design. It is considered a robust and reliable axle system, often used in the rear or front axle positions of vehicles. The Dana 44 is known for its ability to handle high torque loads and heavy-duty applications, making it a popular choice for off-road enthusiasts and those who need a reliable axle for towing or hauling heavy loads.
Key Features of the Dana 44 Axle
- Robust Construction: The Dana 44 axle features a heavy-duty, cast-iron housing that provides excellent strength and durability. This construction allows the axle to withstand high levels of stress and impact without compromising its integrity.
- Larger Differential: Compared to other axle designs, the Dana 44 has a larger differential, which helps distribute power more effectively and improves traction in off-road or challenging driving conditions.
- Versatile Applications: The Dana 44 axle is commonly found in a variety of vehicles, including Jeeps, Dodge Ram trucks, Ford F-150s, and other off-road-oriented models. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for both stock and modified vehicles.
- Aftermarket Support: Due to its widespread use and popularity, the Dana 44 axle has a robust aftermarket support system, with a wide range of upgrade and replacement parts available for customization and performance enhancement.
Overall, the Dana 44 axle is a well-respected and trusted component in the automotive industry, known for its strength, durability, and suitability for heavy-duty applications.
How do I identify a Dana 44 axle?
Many Dana axles have the model ID cast into the fins or centersection. Look for a "44" or "60" cast into the reinforcement ribs. The number can usually be found on the lower right side rib below the differential cover, but it may also be found on other ribs or on top of the main cast structure.
Which is better, Dana 35 or Dana 44?
It may not sound like a big difference, but it's actually a pretty big. Although the Dana 44 has a larger differential, and stronger axle shafts, it shares the same weak axle tubes with the Dana 35. You could always truss the axle to make it stronger, but at the end of the day, it'll still have really weeks tubes.
What vehicle has a Dana 44?
The Dana 44 has seen use in Chevrolet Corvettes and Dodge Vipers. This axle is referred to as a Dana 44 ICA or Dana 44 IRS. All 1980–1982 Chevrolet Corvette C3 and manual transmission equipped 1985–1996 Chevrolet Corvette C4 had this axle. The 2005–06 Pontiac GTO, The Dodge Viper has always used a Dana 44 IRS setup.
How do I identify my axle?
Sprung and Torflex axle labels can be found on the side of the axle facing your rear bumper. The axle label provides critical manufacturing information, including the axle serial number, axle capacity, and axle build information. Locating your axle label will help ensure that you identify your axle correctly.
What is so special about Dana 44?
The Dana 44 has a GAWR up to 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) and is a semi-floating type, having one bearing on the end of the axle shaft which carries the weight of the vehicle on the axle and also allows axle rotation. There is an 8.9" diameter Dana 44 ring and pinion that is very different from the standard Dana 44.
Is a Dana 44 a 1 ton axle?
Front Dana 44 solid axle
The Dana 44 has seen use in 1/4-, 1/2-, 3/4-, and 1-ton rated trucks. The Dana 44 was manufactured in kingpin and ball joint variations, as well as closed and open knuckle variations.
Is Dana 60 stronger than Dana 44?
The Dana 60 has a larger ring gear, larger axle tubes, larger axle shafts, and overall is much stronger. All that extra strength, however, add a lot of weight. Adding more unsprung weight to your rig will make it handle worse on and off the road.
What size shaft is a Dana 44?
Starting in 1972, modern factory Dana 44s had 30-spine axleshafts with a thickness of 1.31 inches (earlier axles were 10- or 19-spline), although the rear next-generation Dana 44 found on the 2007-present Jeep Wrangler JK has 32-spline shafts.
What is a Dana 44 axle?
The Dana/Spicer Model 44 is an automotive axle manufactured by Dana Corp. and is used extensively among automobile manufacturers and in the automotive aftermarket area as well. The Dana 44 was first manufactured in the 1940s and is still being manufactured today, both front and rear axle variants.
What year did Jeep start using Dana 44?
Improvements with the first civilian Jeep in '46 included a stronger Dana 25 up front and the short-used Dana 41 in the rear. With 1949 came the ubiquitous Dana 44, and things stayed that way until 1975 when there was a switch to the AMC axle and then back to Dana around 1987.
