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Jeep Axle: Dana 44

Publish date: Nov 1, 2005
By: ORC STAFF
Source: Jeep at Off-Road.com

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 CJ-3A 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 AMC 20 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, but I'm not sure of the spline count. Common ratios were 2.73 and 3.31.

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

	Offset differential rear Dana 44 from '70 1/2 - '71 CJ-5. This version has one piece 30 spline shafts.
	Center differential rear Dana 44 from '72-'75 CJ-5.

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 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.
	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	NA	'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.

Comments and questions from our Readers

Mike / West jordan, UT, UNITED STATES
Posted Nov 07 2007 01:18PM
I need info on putting Dana 44 axils under a 1980 jeep and being road legal what all do I need to do I have the dana 35 rear and dana 30 front with 35" supper swampers I broke the teeth off the pinion in the rear and need help with info building a reliable jeep also using a chevy 350 under the hood please help.

Micah / Pendleton, OR, UNITED STATES
Posted Feb 06 2008 10:46PM
People of Jeep community, My family has a '62 Willy's Wagon that is now my responsibility. It has broken its axle two or three times in 15 years ownership (not from off roading). Each time replaced with junk yard axles. I'm ready to toss some money at it and want a reliable axle in it. Do y'all think a NEW axle of the same design will be fine? OR do you feel there is a poor design in those years of Jeep that I should replace the rear end. It's more an issue for me because I was in it when it popped its tires and it has always been on the freeway or after just getting off. Thank you for any insight.

JaLange / Chatsworth, CA, UNITED STATES
Posted Feb 08 2008 01:51PM
How do I find if my 2000 Jeep TJ has a dana 35 or a dana 44?

jeeper_x_23 / Brooklyn PArk, MN, UNITED STATES
Posted Feb 11 2008 01:16PM
It will be stamped on the differential cover Dana 35 or Dana 44

Jay / Jacksonville, AR, UNITED STATES
Posted Mar 03 2008 05:47PM
Micah Your problem may be that when older 4-wheel drive vehicles are operated on paved surfaces torsional stress builds up this can damage your axles/differentials good luck

shane / olancha, CA, UNITED STATES
Posted Mar 06 2008 10:32AM
the rear axle in my 2003 tj (danna 44) is brining fluid up out around the yoke shaft. i replaced the seal & oil slinger but stille doing it. i also made sure the breather tube was clear. any ideas? thanks

Kenny / Shasta lake , CA, UNITED STATES
Posted Aug 20 2008 09:30PM
i just got a 1997 wrangler sport .what kind $ im i looking at to change to Dana 44 . and how avaiable are the parts

perry / arvada, CO, UNITED STATES
Posted Sep 07 2008 11:09PM
I have dana44`s out of a 74 or later wagoner offset pumpkins to right 30 spline axles putting in my 1955 Willy`s wagon and a 1987 258ci 6 but want to put disk brakes on all 4 corners with 5 on 5.5 pattern instead of 6 on 5.5 where would be a good place to check on these parts or what used parts can be swapped for this I`m thinking of line lock for Ebrake Thank you

Jordan / Red Deer, Ab, ZZ, CANADA
Posted Nov 16 2008 12:09AM
I recently bought a dana 44 front diff that I was told was out of a wagoneer but when I searched the BOM number it shows it is from a 1981-85 J10, J20, or widetrack cherokee. What I am wondering is it the same dimension as a wagoneer axle, because it is an empty housing and I need axles for it.