Help ! 1977 CJ 5

[twistedjeep]

I have recently purchased a 77 CJ5 with a blown rear end, I was told the rear ends MAY have been changed for different ones, but nobody knew for sure. I have torn the old rear end out and determined it is a Dana d as that is stamped on the crown gear but I am not sure what kind of rear end that makes it. It also has 30 spline axles. Is it a Dana 44 ? It has a 10 bolt pattern so I am pretty sure it is.
I will have to change out the carrier, along with all the gears and the pinion as they are all buggered up. The gearing that is in there is 3:54 gearing. I am making a rock climber/ marsh buggy out of it and would like to put a lot lower gears in there, I am not sure how low I can go with the housing I have in there. I realize I need to change out the front crown and pinion as well when I do it. I would like to put 5:38 gears in it, is this possible with the existing carrier? Can anyone help me out with this info? and where I may get parts for reasonable pricing, I know that is a loose term so I mean not having to pay top dollar for them but still getting good parts.
Thanks for the help
Twistedjeep

 

[gert]

sounds like a good time to do a locker install, I went with Detroit TrueTrac front and rear on mine since I want to drive it on the street and yes you would be rebuilding the front to match or you will be driving around in 2wd til you do. This is going to be very expensive I like shopping at randys ring and pinion because they have a lot of what i am looking for
Diff Wizard

I also shop at Summit racing to

 

[caveman]

Hi twistedjeep and welcome to the forum. That rear end could very well be a Dana 44 but it's hard to tell without pictures.
Yes. This would be a good time to regear it. However if the front axle is a stock axle it would be the Dana 30 . The lowest gears i have found for them is 4:88 so you would have to gear the rear the same.
Good luck with your project.

 

[twistedjeep]

Thanks for the help, The front dif has the same cover shape as the back dif so I am assuming it is the same a Dana 44 is it possible that they are different even thought the covers look the same as the tags are no longer around. I have since gone out and measured them up and indeed the front and rear diff cover are identical.

 

[Old Dog]

Here's a link to some info on the 44 to help id it. http://www2.dana.com/pdf/5310-3.pdf
I have had very good luck with both of these companies for parts
https://www.drivetrainamerica.com/default.aspx
Complete Off Road | Your Source for Off Road Parts - Axles - Driveline Parts and More
I also like these guys for the bearings and kits
Table of Contents
I wouldn't go more than 4:88's as the ring/pinion engagement becomes small with anything lower.

 

[caveman]

Here's a diferential chart to compare to. If you do indeed have a Dana 44 front axle, then it has been changed out also. Differential Identification - Sierra Gear & Axle