Dana44A Parts? Where are they? What do you have? Dana44 and Dana44A! What parts?

Polaris Junkie · 09-22-2006, 01:33 PM

Alright, I was looking around eBay and found tons of parts for Dana 44's

but nothing for a Dana 44A like what is found in the grand Cherokee's.

My questions is: What are the differences between a standard (iron) Dana 44 and the Aluminum Dana 44 that is commonly found in the Jeep Grand Cherokee's?

Now I know right off the bat the WJ dana44 has an aluminum housing, but how does the differential cover (bolt pattern) compare to the standard (iron) Dana 44?
How about other parts like axles? I know that very few lockers and internal parts like that are made but.... Just how many parts and what are they are made for the Dana 44A?

I know there isn't that much of a need for such products but there are bound to be some out there! Like the Ausie Locker for the Open diff carrier for the Dana44A What else is out there?

**FearTheDentist** · 09-22-2006, 01:39 PM

The bolt pattern for the diff cover is very different between the 44 and 44a, not sure about the rest of the differences.

**ArloGuthroJeep** · 09-22-2006, 01:40 PM

I have never heard of any parts being sharable between the Iron and Aluminum axle

**Woody** · 09-22-2006, 01:41 PM

Nothing from a D44a will work on a D44I or vice versa.

Even the gears and shafts are different.

Bummer.

Polaris Junkie · 09-22-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Nothing from a D44a will work on a D44I or vice versa.

Even the gears and shafts are different.

Who ever designed the Dana 44A deserves (unless it was an old woman or a veteran) a swift kick (you can imagine where).

**Woody** · 09-22-2006, 01:56 PM

I couldn't agree with you more. In order to find another vehicle that uses it you have to look to the Viper. I think it's the only other Chrysler that uses this axle.

**AgitatedPancake** · 09-22-2006, 02:08 PM

vette also I think woody. Can you switch centersections or are the axle tube splines different also?

**EMTimZJ** · 09-22-2006, 02:19 PM

Axle tubes do not have splines. Axle shafts have splines.

If you are going to take the time to press out the old tubes, and press in the new, might as well start with something better than the D44 anyway!

Polaris Junkie · 09-22-2006, 02:28 PM

My first thought would be to go to a Junk yard and score a set of Giant axles out of a 3/4 ton or 1 ton and cut them down and weld on all the necessary brackets but then I start to think about the problems like interference with the gas tank and then I would convert my steering over to a hydraulic ram and it just keeps getting more and more expensive and more and more trouble.... I think when I am at that point it will be time to move on to another vehicle... Sorry Guys My WJ isn't going much further down the trail than where a Dana 44A will get it.

**Woody** · 09-22-2006, 03:00 PM

If you truss the D44a, you fix the problem with the aluminum center.

With an aussie, it's not all that bad. My neighbor swapped one into his TJ and he's running 35's, he loves it.

Polaris Junkie · 09-22-2006, 03:14 PM

What about material deflection in the aluminum carrier causing the bearing races to spin under a heavy load and cause irrepairable damage to the carrier?

Is the deflection in aluminum carrier a direct result of the entire axle housing flexing under a load?

Which way would the truss go? I have welded trusses on axles before and they are on the back of the axle (where the differential cover goes on the Dana 44A). For the record I primarly have worked on Chrysler 8-3/4 housings.

Or would it go on top and cross over the differential.

Wouldn't the truss going over the differential cover interfere with the gas tank?

**Woody** · 09-22-2006, 03:28 PM

If you truss it, they won't spin.

Polaris Junkie · 09-22-2006, 03:44 PM

Sorry I was revising my question when you posted your reply Woody!

**ArloGuthroJeep** · 09-22-2006, 03:52 PM

Well on a WJ you'll have to keep the truss below the a-arm on top of the diff so as long as you do that you'll have ok clearance. The gas tank sits behind the axle anyways.

Polaris Junkie · 09-22-2006, 03:59 PM

I really don't feel comfortable welding around my gas tank, Don't really want to pull either one out, I will have to look in to this, I have got some steel stock and a millermatic 210 that is screaming for me to start another welding project.

I would have never thought to brace the Dana44A, now that you have me thinking about it, its a great idea!

Thanks everyone for their input! This is a project that is definetly worth while.

I can't imagine the reaction of (next owner or junk yard scavenger) crawling under there and finding the housing with a overkill brace made out of 1.5" Diameter 5/16 wall DOM pipe welded on there.

09-22-2006, 03:14 PM	#11
Polaris Junkie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: United States Posts: 155 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	What about material deflection in the aluminum carrier causing the bearing races to spin under a heavy load and cause irrepairable damage to the carrier? Is the deflection in aluminum carrier a direct result of the entire axle housing flexing under a load? Which way would the truss go? I have welded trusses on axles before and they are on the back of the axle (where the differential cover goes on the Dana 44A). For the record I primarly have worked on Chrysler 8-3/4 housings. Or would it go on top and cross over the differential. Wouldn't the truss going over the differential cover interfere with the gas tank? Last edited by Polaris Junkie; 09-22-2006 at 03:35 PM..

09-22-2006, 02:28 PM	#9
Polaris Junkie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: United States Posts: 155 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	My first thought would be to go to a Junk yard and score a set of Giant axles out of a 3/4 ton or 1 ton and cut them down and weld on all the necessary brackets but then I start to think about the problems like interference with the gas tank and then I would convert my steering over to a hydraulic ram and it just keeps getting more and more expensive and more and more trouble.... I think when I am at that point it will be time to move on to another vehicle... Sorry Guys My WJ isn't going much further down the trail than where a Dana 44A will get it.

09-22-2006, 03:44 PM	#13
Polaris Junkie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: United States Posts: 155 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Sorry I was revising my question when you posted your reply Woody!

09-22-2006, 03:59 PM	#15
Polaris Junkie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: United States Posts: 155 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I really don't feel comfortable welding around my gas tank, Don't really want to pull either one out, I will have to look in to this, I have got some steel stock and a millermatic 210 that is screaming for me to start another welding project. I would have never thought to brace the Dana44A, now that you have me thinking about it, its a great idea! Thanks everyone for their input! This is a project that is definetly worth while. I can't imagine the reaction of (next owner or junk yard scavenger) crawling under there and finding the housing with a overkill brace made out of 1.5" Diameter 5/16 wall DOM pipe welded on there.