dana 44 for $200. Deal?

shok47 · 09-14-2009, 04:37 PM

It says on the ad
1/2 ton dana 44 front end,4:11 gears.warn lockouts,set up for cross over steering.

what is crossover steering? I have a cj7 amc258 d30 front amc20 rear, t-4, d300 with 35's and I messed up my front axle shaft, the short piece, and I was thinking of going to 44s if its not worth fixing right now. Is this a good deal?

datmony · 09-14-2009, 04:47 PM

Cross over steering is what we have on our jeeps, the traditional type. Because the ad notes that specifically it implies to me that this might be a 44 out of a GM/Chevy pick up. Please note, all 44s are not equal. You need to ask a good deal of questions before buying that. What was the vehicle it came from, is it a passenger side drop (determined by vehicle it came from), has it been cut for a jeep, etc etc etc. The vast majority of the 44s that were built are too wide for most people's tastes in a CJ. That is not to say it cannot be cut to work, because it definitely can but you just need to go in eyes wide open because more likely than not for 200 bucks this is not one that is set up for a CJ as it stands. Good luck.

No_Bs · 09-14-2009, 06:45 PM

We really need to know what it's from to be able to give any info on this.

shok47 · 09-15-2009, 12:56 AM

its from a chevy 1/2 ton. that is all I have for now. Im waiting for his email.

ksheffer08 · 09-15-2009, 02:46 AM

make sure its a dana 44. in 1979 they switched to GM corp. 10 bolts and they are easy to confuse. that also means it is full width (67-69" wms) and your widetracks you have now are 58" i believe. so be ready to have it narrowed.

CSP · 09-15-2009, 09:34 AM

Even with the swap to 10 bolts, the Dana 44 was still used on certain models of GM pickups well into the 1980s. A 1/2 ton 44 should be right at 67.5" WMS to WMS.

lockedcj7 · 09-15-2009, 10:15 AM

It's also probably set up for SOA. If you are using it SUA, you'll have to weld a spring perch on the bottom of the driver's side and machine a flat spot on the passenger's side of the pumpkin.

The axle you're describing is exactly what I'm looking for. Too bad you're in MA. We might have been able to work something out. I have a D44 from a Wagoneer that's set up for SUA and can be made wide-track width by only shortening the long side.

shok47 · 09-15-2009, 11:01 AM

mmm, this seems like a job that I will be working and getting perfected before switching axles

I was thinking it may be SOA b/c most trucks are.

So what vehicles do I want a d44 out of? mostly jeeps I suspect? and does the front and rear axle ratios have to be the same? just a question Ive been thinking about.

spcmac249 · 09-15-2009, 11:33 AM

The gearing has to be the same otherwise the front and rear will spin at different speed and cause all kinds of problems. I know that the 80's k5 blazers and suburbans had 44 fronts with flat top open knuckles and pass side drop. But they are way to wide. If you are planning on getting one be ready for a lot of extra work to make it fit. That includes everything from cutting down the axle and shafts to changing out the hubs.

If you are going to stick with 35s you will need something bigger at any rate.

**OlivergreenCJ7** · 09-15-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shok47

It says on the ad
1/2 ton dana 44 front end,4:11 gears.warn lockouts,set up for cross over steering.

what is crossover steering? I have a cj7 amc258 d30 front amc20 rear, t-4, d300 with 35's and I messed up my front axle shaft, the short piece, and I was thinking of going to 44s if its not worth fixing right now. Is this a good deal?

I was wondering if you're locked and run stock shafts or Alloys? If you plan on sticking with your 35's run an alloy shaft. It would be cheaper than swapping axles the right way IMHO.

UbelGeist · 09-15-2009, 01:51 PM

I am in the process of cutting down a 81 chevy D44. Here is the thread. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/cutting-down-d44-857095/
I will be posting more as a get a chance to work on it.

shok47 · 09-15-2009, 10:48 PM

I am sticking with 35's and Im pretty sure they are stock. How much do the alloy shafts run for??

ksheffer08 · 09-15-2009, 11:06 PM

inners, stubs, and u joints your looking at about $600 give or take.

spcmac249 · 09-16-2009, 05:29 AM

If you stick with the d30 front and go with alloy shafts then you will scatter your ring gear. Especially if you are running lockers. The ring gear for a d30 is only good for tires up to 33's. If you go with a d44 you will be alright with stock shafts as long as you aren't getting into any extreme rock crawling. With 35's you need at least a d44 under the front.

shok47 · 09-16-2009, 11:48 PM

well I think I have decided to get a used set for the time being. I certainly will not do any mudding or and any type of steep climbing. I mainly just cruise around. Friends are always "like the jeep will take it!" and Im like, "nahh"

What do you think about this? $125 for used front axleshafts. Can I use axleshafts from YJ d30s? if not what years will work? I know its a 27 spline for the outer axleshaft. Jeep Dana 30 front axle shafts :eBay Motors (item 250336417684 end time Sep-28-09 19:24:11 PDT)

I did my research and found that the Warn #39105 Outer axleshaft will work?

09-15-2009, 09:34 AM	#6
CSP Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,323 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Even with the swap to 10 bolts, the Dana 44 was still used on certain models of GM pickups well into the 1980s. A 1/2 ton 44 should be right at 67.5" WMS to WMS.