Dana 44 good better best

[driver007]

I have the chance to upgrade to a danna 44 from the AMC corp. In the narrow track axles is there any difference in axles from year to year. Is one year better then another? What would be the upgrades to make this axle trail ready mostly easy driving? I would put a locker in but what else would be or should be upgraded?

 

[mylittlecj5]

From what I gather...
The weak spots on a Corp. 20 are the axle tubes and the 2 piece axles.
I have a good axles here that was modifies as follows...1 piece axles, welded tubes to diff housing, strengthened/sealed spring perches, aftermarket 4:10 gears, and a newer clutch-style traction device.
I have had people tell me its about as built as it can get now, unless it had a truss installed. So, you can use that as your build plan if you like.
FWIW, I've also heard that a built model 20 can be actually stronger than a 44 due to the pinion size and ring gear differences.
I don't now that there is much you can do to the 44 to make it stronger, its pretty beefy already.

 

[Incommando]

I have the chance to upgrade to a danna 44 from the AMC corp. In the narrow track axles is there any difference in axles from year to year. Is one year better then another? What would be the upgrades to make this axle trail ready mostly easy driving? I would put a locker in but what else would be or should be upgraded?

Pre-1970 Dana 44 rears (IIRC..could be '71 and older) are a fairly weak 19-spline axle design that are two-piece just like the AMC20 rear. You want to make sure and find a 30-spline FLANGED axle Dana 44 . All of the AMC-years had the better the rear axle IIRC.

Yes you can spend hundreds of dollars and some labor/fab time to make an AMC20 equal to a Dana 44 .... But the Dana 44 also responds to trussing, etc... to raise its level even higher so why not start from a better place to begin with?

 

[Incommando]

Found this: Jeep Axle Swaps: Rear Dana 44

 

[BajaEdition]

the Dana 44 is one of the best supported axles there is
nothing has better support except the Ford 9 inch
what you want though is a 72 to 86 narrow track Dana 44
after getting that the sky is the limit

Now if you have a Corp 20, find a full floating kit and yo will have a great axle without the cost of the change over.

the bad part of the 20 is the 2 piece design which can be changed to a solid axle or full floater, and the axle tubing connection to the pumkin wich can be welded.

OK then, get a set of solid axles or find a full floater kit, the full floater kit makes the axle bullet proof.

72 and on D44s have a problem going to full floater, no one makes a kit any more. however the benefits of a full floater kit on any axle far outweigh the solid axle alternative, geting the weight off that inner axle is worth 2 axles on trail.

just a few thoughts

Jim

 

[OkeeDokee]

the Dana 44 is one of the best supported axles there is
nothing has better support except the Ford 9 inch
what you want though is a 72 to 86 narrow track Dana 44
after getting that the sky is the limit

Now if you have a Corp 20, find a full floating kit and yo will have a great axle without the cost of the change over.

the bad part of the 20 is the 2 piece design which can be changed to a solid axle or full floater, and the axle tubing connection to the pumkin wich can be welded.

OK then, get a set of solid axles or find a full floater kit, the full floater kit makes the axle bullet proof.

72 and on D44s have a problem going to full floater, no one makes a kit any more. however the benefits of a full floater kit on any axle far outweigh the solid axle alternative, geting the weight off that inner axle is worth 2 axles on trail.

just a few thoughts

Jim

what did the 72 to 86 narrow track come out of I would like to up grade from my Dana 30 up front and welded 29 spline 44 in the rear
Thanks Duane

 

[Old Dog]

what did the 72 to 86 narrow track come out of I would like to up grade from my Dana 30 up front and welded 29 spline 44 in the rear
Thanks Duane

Jeep never put a Dana 44 in the front of a cj. The closest thing would be a 44 out of a 70's waggie, or scout but they are wider than a cj N/T.

 

[OkeeDokee]

Jeep never put a Dana 44 in the front of a cj. The closest thing would be a 44 out of a 70's waggie, or scout but they are wider than a cj N/T.

Thats cool But thats why I was asking what a narrow track 72/86 Dana 44 came out of
Duane

 

[Old Dog]

Baja was refuring to the years 1972 to 1986 rear 44's (with the 1986 being a wide trak)

 

[LASTCJ786]

narrow track CJ7 76-82
wide track CJ7 82-86 If I remember right.

Why do you want a narrow track CJ7 ? If you want a Dana 44 's use
Scout Dana 44 's front and rear (you have to do work to the front axle)
Or use waggie Dana 44 's. Still gotta do work.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Why not just upgrade the Dana 30 with Chromalloy, 27 spline axles. The cost should be about $650 plus install then never look back. If you go with a Waggy axle it will have to be cut down and perches installed. The Scout option has problems too as far as cast as the Scout axles have none which can lead to some steering issues. In any event the spring hangers need to be out boarded on the frame due to the width of the Dana 44 differential housing. All of this is doable/fixable of course but why messes with it unless you are building a hard core wheeler then go for wider axles anyway.

 

[BajaEdition]

Saddle, I think we are talking rear axles here