Jeep Dana 44 specs.

[Greenwithenvy]

Several variations of the Dana 44 have been used as the rear axle in Jeeps, all of them use a 8.5" ring and pinion. The Dana 44s with the two piece shafts are 19 spline or 27 spline and the versions wih the once piece shafts are 30 spline.

The R&P ratio ranges supported by the carriers are 2.87-3.73 and 3.92-5.89. Not all ratios are available for all the variations of the Dana 44 .

CJ Dana 44

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 CJ3a 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 AMC20 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 and 30 spline. Common ratios were 2.73 and 3.31.

All CJ Dana 44s use a 5 on 5.5" wheel bolt pattern.

Rear Dana 44 '70 1/2 - '71 CJ5 Offset differential rear Dana 44 from '70 1/2 - '71 CJ5 . This version has one piece 30 spline shafts.
Dana 44 '72-'75 CJ5 Center differential rear Dana 44 from '72-'75 CJ5 .
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 from 50s Willys Wagon 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 .
Dana 44 '72 Commando 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 NA NA '50-'65
Dana 44 /Willys Pickup NA NA '50-'65
Dana 44 /M170 28" 50.5" '5?-'6?
Dana 44 /FC Truck NA NA '57-'65
Dana 44 /SJ Narrow Track NA 59" '62-'81
Dana 44 /Jeepster Commando 36" 50.5" '62-'73
Dana 44 /J Pickup Narrow Track NA NA '63-'81
Dana 44 /J Pickup Wide Track NA NA '82-'87
Dana 44 /SJ Wide Track NA NA '82-'91
Dana 44 /CJ Wide Track 36" 54.5" '86
Dana 44 /XJ NA 60 3/4" '84-
Dana 44 /MJ NA NA '85-'92
Dana 44 /ZJ NA NA '95-
Dana 44 /TJ NA 60" '97-
*See verbage above for exclusions and descriptions.

The New Jeep Tech Pages!

 

[Posi]

Use of the Dana 44 in 1986 began somewhere between serial numbers ending with 049379 and 054173. The axles were flanged and 30 spline. Common ratios were 2.73 and 3.31.

To expand, the 4cyl 5 speed came with 4.10, and the 4cyl 4 speed came with 3.31.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

The last couple of years that CJ's were sold new in CA. Had either 3:31 or 2:73 with the 6cyl engine.
IIRC, CA. sold CJ w/4cyl engine only had the 4:10.
This is for Ca, CJ's sold new in CA.
LG

 

[Posi]

I owned a completely stock CJ4 cyl 4 speed I purchased from the original owner that did not come from the factory with 4.10s. I remember well, because I too thought all 4cyl came with 4.10s

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Was it a 'CA. model'?
There were 49 state CJ's, with different R&P ratios. Just not CA. certified for new car sale is all.
LG

 

[Posi]

Don't recall, it was about 15 years ago last I owned it, but my guess would be no being on the east coast.

 

[hagar]

The Dana 44s with the two piece shafts are 19 spline or 27 spline.

CJ Dana 44
Before mid 1970, they used a 19 spline or 27 spline, two piece axle shaft.

Some CJ-7s with the Borg-Warner Quadra-Trac Transfer Case came with a 30 spline, one piece shaft, offset, narrow track Dana 44 .

Incorrect, x 3.

What about 10 spline axles for the Dana 44 tapered axle ?

I do have in my possession a Dana 44 power lok that DOES have 27 spline side gears. But there never was any part number for replacement parts or axles. I might cut you some slack on that statement.

AMC20 rear axle only axle used with QTrac.

 

[Greenwithenvy]

Incorrect, x 3.

What about 10 spline axles for the Dana 44 tapered axle ?

I do have in my possession a Dana 44 power lok that DOES have 27 spline side gears. But there never was any part number for replacement parts or axles. I might cut you some slack on that statement.

AMC20 rear axle only axle used with QTrac.

Try trac lock and power locks instead. Many years and many D44s came factory equipped with them. And Quadra track only came in the years Jeep had AMC 20s. Except 86' when the factory ran out of AMC 20s and used d44s but those are all wide tracks. At lease in CJs.

 

[Greenwithenvy]

Incorrect, x 3.

What about 10 spline axles for the Dana 44 tapered axle ?

I do have in my possession a Dana 44 power lok that DOES have 27 spline side gears. But there never was any part number for replacement parts or axles. I might cut you some slack on that statement.

AMC20 rear axle only axle used with QTrac.

Looks like I was wrong! The following information came from the early CJ.com site and posted by Oldtime.

Excluding pre 1952 and post 1975 CJ's, all CJ Dana rear axles have the number 44 embossed on the cast housing.
Also the Dana rear axles are code stamped on the right rear tube on both sides of the the spring mount.
If this axle is stamped with "Mitsubishi" symbols, it simply is not a Dana axle.
This specifically means it was cast and built by Mitsubishi.
That said components may possibly be interchangable with Dana 44 .

Dana model 44 rear splines progressed through time.
As you know the inner axle shaft splines mate into the carrier side gears.
The earliest splines, since 1941 military production are 10 spline 1-1/8" O.D.
Dana quit producing Jeep 10 spline rear axle shafts very late in the 1956 model year.
This changed occurred during the era of Powr Lok developement.
Involute splined shafts became standard on all 1957 CJ rear axles.
These involute (19 spline) shafts are 1-14" O.D.
The taperd shaft, involute spline offset Dana 44 axles have the greatest span of production from 1956 to 1970 @14 years.
They reign supreme as the "time proven standard" rear axle design.
The F134 Hurricane Hurricane with HD clutch plus rare optional T-98 Transmission with 5.38 final drive virtually cannot break them..
The Dana 44 flanged type rear axles did not appear before the 1970 model year.
The flanged D 44's are driven via 30 spline side gears. The shaft diameter increases to 1.3xx
Due to multiple increased dimensions the flanged rear 44 axles are considered "SUPREME" for CJ's with increased HP.
The 1970 and 1971 CJ Dana 44 's are flanged shaft with offset housing for use with D18 Transfer Case .
The 1972 through 1975 CJ Dana 44 's are flanged shaft with centered housing for use with Dana 20 Transfer Case . End of quote.

there were no auto Transmission . CJ5s that you could get from the factory. All auto Transmission . CJs were CJ7 and 8s. Behind the autos is where you find your Quadra-Tracs. Not behind manual Transmission .

 

[Petescj]

I think you are wrong on the 10 spline axles you might be thinking D41s? They were used before 50'. Before 72' Jeep used all T18s. All the factory T18s had two piece rear axles. Many people have replaced them with aftermarket one piece shafts. Also, there were no auto Transmission . CJ5s that you could get from the factory. All auto Transmission . CJs were CJ7 and 8s. Behind the autos is where you find your Quadra-Tracs. Not behind manual Transmission .

The Quadratac was used behind the GM Turbo 400 up to '79 with an off set AMC20 . Cj-8s never had Quadratracs. They had either the TF904 or TF999 auto with a Dana 300 and a AMC20 widetrack axle without the offset. You can find all the info you need in the drivetrain section.


http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f105/cj-axles-12186/

 

[Greenwithenvy]

Okay wrong and right this last time. Quadra- Trac only came behind autos.

More information from early CJ5 .com and Oldtime.


Dana 23-2 rear, Dana 25 front and Dana 27 front all have 10 straight cut spline axle shafts.
They measure 1.12" outside diameter or .005" under 1-1/8".

Dana 30 front has 27 rolled spline axle shafts.
They measure 1.162 outside duiameter.

Pre 1957 Jeep Dana 44 rear axle shafts all have 10 staight cut spline rear shafts.
They measure 1.225" outside diameter.

Post 1956 Jeep Dana 44 rear axle shafts all have 19 involute spline axle shafts.
They measure 1.245" outside diameter or .005" under 1-1/4".

Post 1970 Jeep Dana 44 use 30 count rolled spline axle shafts.
They measure 1.285" outside diameter. End of quote.

 

[Petescj]

Don't take it the wrong way. We just want anyone who searches for this information to get the correct answers. That's the problem with copying and pasting from another site. You end up paying for their mistakes. That's why we put together this whole section:

Jeep CJ Comprehensive Database - Drivetrains at Jeep-CJ.com

 

[Petescj]

And if you look closely you'll see edits in there where we were wrong when we first launched it. It happens.

 

[Peanut Butter]

Hey Pete, can you add this to the Automatic Transmission page. http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/jeep-th400-technical-information-24384/

 

[Petescj]

Hey Pete, can you add this to the Automatic Transmission page. http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/jeep-th400-technical-information-24384/

You almost slipped this one by me. I've never known a Cj coming from the factory with an adapter plate to the GM Turbo 400 . That doesn't mean it's not true, I just need to verify that they had different bell hosing.

 

[Peanut Butter]

You almost slipped this one by me. I've never known a Cj coming from the factory with an adapter plate to the GM Turbo 400 . That doesn't mean it's not true, I just need to verify that they had different bell hosing.

It was the Full Size Trucks that did (FSJ), not the CJ's. But mine ended up with one transplanted in it.