Dana 44

The Dana/Spicer Model 44 is an automotive axle manufactured by Dana Corp. and is used extensively among automobile manufacturers and in the automotive aftermarket area as well. The Dana 44 was first manufactured in the 1940s and is still being manufactured today, both front and rear axle variants. The Dana 44 has been manufactured as a beam axle and independent suspension for both front and rear axle setups. There are also different variations of the Dana 44. Over a dozen automobile manufacturers have made vehicles that feature Dana 44 axles, including Jeep which currently manufactures Four-wheel drive vehicles that feature both front and rear Dana 44 axles.

Dana 44, Rear, in a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

General specifications

• Ring Gear measures 8.5 inches (216 mm)
• OEM Inner axle shaft spline counts are 10, 19, 30, 32, 33 and 35
• Pinion shaft diameter: 1.375"
• Pinion shaft splines: 26
• Gear ratios range from 2.72:1 to 5.89:1
• Carrier break: 2.72:1 - 3.73:1 and 3.92 - 5.89:1
• Axle Shaft diameter
  • 1.18” Front (30 Spline)
  • 1.18” Rear (30 Spline)
• Axle spline diameter
  • 1.31” Front (30 Spline)
  • 1.31” Rear (30 Spline)
  • 1.41" Rear (32 Spline)

Front Dana 44 solid axle

The Dana 44 Front axle first saw use in the 1950s and still in use today. Aftermarket upgrades for the Dana 44 have evolved in such order that a Dana 44 can exceed the strength of stock Dana 60 axles. Dana 44 Front axles were known for utilizing locking hubs or a center axle disconnect system. However, a permanently locked-in Dana 44 is not uncommon. The Dana 44 has seen use in 1/4-, 1/2-, 3/4-, and 1-ton rated trucks. The Dana 44 was manufactured in kingpin and ball joint variations, as well as closed and open knuckle variations.

Independent front suspension (IFS) Dana 44 axle

In the 1960s, Jeep used a unique Dana 44 IFS setup, that was short lived. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ford used a form of IFS known as "Twin Traction Beam" (TTB). This Dana 44 had no axle tubes but attached to the driver side traction beam, which also acted as a cover plate, and had "open air" axles which traveled through the beams to the spindles. The axles had u-joints to allow for the independent action of the beams. Individual pivot points for the beams at greater than center made each beam longer than half the overall width crossing in the middle. This allowed for an independent front suspension design. Ford TTB Dana 44 axles all utilized locking hubs. The TTB set-up is based on Ford's highly successful Twin I-beam design on two-wheel-drive pick-up truck models.

Rear Dana 44 solid axle

Dana 41

The Dana 41 was the precursor to the Dana 44 and was used from the 1930s to the 1950s. The ring gear on the Dana 41 is near one inch smaller than a Dana 44.

Dana 44

The Dana 44 rear axle first saw use in the 1940s and is still in use today. The Dana 44 has a GAWR up to 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) and is a semi-floating type, having one bearing on the end of the axle shaft which carries the weight of the vehicle on the axle and also allows axle rotation.

Dana 45

The Dana 45 was introduced during the 1950s as an upgraded Dana 44 with larger 20 spline axle shafts.

Independent rear suspension (IRS) Dana 44 axle

1963 Jaguar E-Type. Dana 44 Rear

The Dana 44 has seen use in Chevrolet Corvettes and Dodge Vipers. This axle is referred to as a Dana 44 ICA or Dana 44 IRS. Some 1985–1996 Chevrolet Corvette C4 featured this axle. A rear transaxle was used starting with the Corvette C5. The Dodge Viper has always used a Dana 44 IRS setup. The majority of the Dana 44 IRS set ups use a limited slip differential.

Dana 36

A Dana 36 IRS was used in all Corvettes in 1984 and automatic transmission equipped Corvettes from 1985 to 1996. The Dana 36 has a ring gear diameter of 7.75 inches (197 mm), and has gear ratios ranging from 2.53:1 to 3.31:1.

Common Applications^[1]

Front Axle

Dodge

• 1974–1993 Ramcharger
• 1980–2001½ Ton (W150/1500)
• 1988–1995¾ Ton (2500 Light Duty)
• 1972–1980 (w200)

Ford

• 1959–1979½ Ton (F-100/F-150/F-250)
• 1980–1996½ Ton (F-150, TTB)
• 1959-1987¾ Ton (F-250 light duty)

International Harvester

• 1971–1980 Scout

Jeep

• 1967-1973 Jeepster Commando and Commando
• 1974–1991 Wagoneer
• 1974–1983 SJ
• 2003–2010 TJ JK Wrangler Rubicon
• unknown years - Venezuelan XJ

Nissan

• 2004-2011 Titan

2005-2011 Frontier SV V6 4X4, Nismo and ProX 4X4 manual transmission only.

Rear Axle

Jeep

• 2003–2010 Wrangler Rubicon
• 2004-2006 Wrangler "LJ" Unlimited
• 1997–2006 Wrangler (optional: available starting 7 July 1997)
• 2007–2010 Wrangler (optional on 2007, standard '08-present)
• 1987–1990 XJ (Tow Package)
• 1987-1992 MJ (Big-Ton/Burly Package)
• 1986 CJ-7
• 1996–2004 ZJ/WJ Grand Cherokee (Aluminum center section, referred to as the 'D44A')

Isuzu

• 1993–2004 Rodeo (Honda Passport, Holden Frontera)
• 1994-1997 Rodeo (Honda Passport)

Nissan

• 2004-2007 Titan(32 Spline)
• 2008-2011 Titan(35 Spline)

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1. ^ Incomplete list. Common applications only.

External links

• Mr. N's Dana44 Article[1]
• How to install the 9" dana 50 ring and pinion into a HP dana 44 housing (jana 54)[2]
• offroaders.com
• YukonGear.com