Dana 44 Front Axle Tech: Part 1 – What is a Dana 44?
It is probably the most popular front axle in off-roading. It’s usually the very first axle people tell you to start with on your first solid-front-axle project: The Dana 44. Why is this and what exactly is a Dana 44? This tech article (and Part 2 too) will get you into the nuts and bolts of the 44, and then show you why it’s so popular.
Let’s start with what a Dana 44 is and who makes it. The Dana/Spicer Model 44 is produced by Dana Holdings, better known as Dana Corp. They make products for many different types of uses from Light Vehicle to Off-Highway to Industrial. In the automotive aftermarket, Dana Corp is Spicer Drivetrain, Glaser Sealing, Victor Reinz Gaskets, GWB Industrial Driveshafts, Tru-Cool Coolers, SVL, Thompson Suspension, Transejes, and, of course, Dana Crate Axles.
The Dana 44 was first manufactured in the 1940’s and has seen use in front and rear, as well as solid and independent axle housings. She’s been used by many different automotive OEMs, including Jeep. The Dana 44 front axle was first used in the 1950’s and comes in either passenger-side or driver’s-side drop, where the differential carrier will line up with the transfer case’s front output. It has also come in both kingpin and ball joint variations, along with open and closed knuckles.
The Dana 44 front axle comes with an 8.50-inch ring gear and its torque limit at the pinion gear is 1930-ft-lbs. It has a Gross Axle Weight Rating of 3360-lbs, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 5700-lbs, and Gross Combined Weight Rating of 8000-lbs. While the 44 isn’t the strongest axle in the Dana lineup, her varied uses and decent performance makes the 44 a popular find for junkyard swaps.
For most Jeeps like the JK, TJ, XJ, and many others, you’ll want to find a Dana 44 with a driver’s-side drop, since that will allow the axle to line up with the OEM transfer case. You’ll find two widths, typically, with driver’s-side drops from Ford and Full Size Jeeps ranging from 58-inches to 65-inches wide.
Axle tube diameters also range from 2.75- to 3-inches in outside diameter and thicknesses range. Finally, Dana 44 front axles come in either low pinion or high pinion configuration. The type to get is the high pinion version, as that will allow for more ground clearance versus low pinion.
With its popularity and easy-to-find status, the Dana 44 has a wide variety of upgrade products and swap parts to fit under nearly any Jeep. In the next article, we’ll detail a few items to look for in your junkyard Dana 44, and how to make it stronger.