Dana 44 Rear Axles

Stock FSJ Tech Area
Post Reply

Topic author
440sixpack
Posts: 332
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2016 6:31 am

Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by 440sixpack »

I planned on putting the 3.55 axles out of '79 a wide track Cherokee in my '78 J10 which has 4.09 gears . now I have been told the rear J10 axle is wider, does anyone know how much or if this is correct? is it the perches or the housing that is wider? I find conflicting reports on line.

I can't measure my J10 axle easily because it's in the body shop getting painted. I can of course just swap the gear set out but I'd rather swap axles.

csuengr
Posts: 1290
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:24 am
Location: Sterling, CO

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by csuengr »

The axle is wider by about 5 inches and the perches are also wider.
1977 Cherokee S, Ford 5.0, 5 speed, BW 1356, 33 x 10.50 BFG's. No longer my DD.
2007 Mercury Milan, 2.3L, 5-speed, now my DD. 29 mpg average.

ShagWagon
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:13 pm

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by ShagWagon »

Lol obscure question answered in 4 minutes flat.

Awesome!
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.

Charles Kline
Posts: 717
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 8:00 am
Location: Golden, Co

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by Charles Kline »

wouldn't wide track Cherokee axles be the same width as the J10 axles?
User avatar

Cecil14
Posts: 727
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:40 am

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by Cecil14 »

Charles Kline wrote:wouldn't wide track Cherokee axles be the same width as the J10 axles?
Only the front. The rear of the truck frame is a lot wider than the Chero/Wag frames.


aa
1983 J-10 - 4.6L(MPFI)/CS130D/Hydroboost/NV3550/D300/44/44/3.54/Disc-Disc/32s/42 gallon 'burb tank
User avatar

derf
Posts: 1403
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:10 am
Location: Littleton, CO
Contact:

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by derf »

csuengr wrote:The axle is wider by about 5 inches and the perches are also wider.
I thought that the difference between narrow track wagoneer and wide track cherokee was 5" and that J10 axles were only about 1 or 1-1/2" wider than wide track axles. In the rear at least. From what I understand, J truck and wide track front axles are the same.
User avatar

Cecil14
Posts: 727
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:40 am

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by Cecil14 »

I've got a rear J-20 D60 I can measure reasonably easy. I believe the D60 is a hair wider than the D44, though. I'll be able to get the tires off the ground on the D44 in the truck probably early next week and get some solid numbers for both of those if we want.


aa
1983 J-10 - 4.6L(MPFI)/CS130D/Hydroboost/NV3550/D300/44/44/3.54/Disc-Disc/32s/42 gallon 'burb tank
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by Stuka »

Rear axle on an NT is 57.5", rear axle on a WT Cherokee is ~60.5", rear axle on a J10 is ~66". J20 is a bit wider than a J10 due to the larger brakes.

A WT Cherokee axle will NOT fit on a J10. The frame is too wide. Now, it could be made to work if you had the springs moved under the frame. But then your tires will rub the wheel wells unless the rims have a lot of offset.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

derf
Posts: 1403
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:10 am
Location: Littleton, CO
Contact:

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by derf »

I could have sworn that the WT Cherokee was ~62.5 or so.

Charles Kline
Posts: 717
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 8:00 am
Location: Golden, Co

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by Charles Kline »

Something is odd about that, if that were true wouldn't the rear wheels visually stick out compared to the fronts on my Honcho? I've got aftermarket wheels all with the same offset. The wider frame/perch mounts makes total sense, but the overall width being different is odd.
User avatar

derf
Posts: 1403
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:10 am
Location: Littleton, CO
Contact:

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by derf »

Narrow track axles in the front are ~59.5-60.5", depending on who measured them. And WT axles are 5-6" wider, again depending on who measured them

Topic author
440sixpack
Posts: 332
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2016 6:31 am

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by 440sixpack »

I'm pretty sure there is not 5" difference between a wide track Cherokee and a J series. they have the same overall width so this is not possible. the grilles , fenders , hoods are interchangeable so where would 5 " come and go unless the wheels stuck out of the fender wells?

The frame may be 5" wider I don't know , so the perches may be way off. and the rear axle housing may be wider by an inch or something, that's what I'm trying to find out.

The front axle is my main concern, sounds like it's the same?

Charles Kline
Posts: 717
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 8:00 am
Location: Golden, Co

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by Charles Kline »

Charles Kline wrote:Something is odd about that, if that were true wouldn't the rear wheels visually stick out compared to the fronts on my Honcho? I've got aftermarket wheels all with the same offset. The wider frame/perch mounts makes total sense, but the overall width being different is odd.

What I mean to say is if WT Cherokee front axels = J10 front axels, then J10 rear axels must = Cherokee WT rear axels (in length only) because the rear wheels do not stick out farther than the front wheels on my J10.

Topic author
440sixpack
Posts: 332
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2016 6:31 am

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by 440sixpack »

Kind if what I'm thinking. But I did measure the width of the Cherokee between the fender wells, 44 1/2 " . the J series is about 48 " . so if the cherokee has the tires set WAY inform what the J series are then I suppose it's possible. this would be the only way. I never noticed hat on wide track Cherokees but maybe.

The fronts almost have to be the same in every way. I measured the both Cherokee axles and the front is way wider than the rear , 5-6 " wider.
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by Stuka »

J-Truck rear axles are visibly wider than the fronts. On a WT Cherokee, the rear is noticeable narrower than the front. They look sucked in to the fender flares. And actually, many years ago I think it was Will E put a J10 axle in the back of his WT, with photos before and after. It was a noticeable difference.

I just went out and measured this. My rear tires stick 1" outside the fender flares. The fronts are even with the fender flares. If the front axle is ~64" WMS, that makes the rear ~66" WMS. If I had time and it was not 100F outside, I would pull the tires off and measure them with a straight edge on each mounting point.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
440sixpack
Posts: 332
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2016 6:31 am

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by 440sixpack »

Sounds like the rear is a gear change scenario then.

But the front is the same correct ?
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by Stuka »

440sixpack wrote:Sounds like the rear is a gear change scenario then.

But the front is the same correct ?
Front axles year for year should be identical between a J10 and a WT. J20 front end is different. Still bolts in, but is 8 lug and has different tubes.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Charles Kline
Posts: 717
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 8:00 am
Location: Golden, Co

Re: Dana 44 Rear Axles

Post by Charles Kline »

Stuka wrote: I just went out and measured this. My rear tires stick 1" outside the fender flares.
That is weird, mine are the same. I'll have to measure them for sure next time I rotate tires.
Post Reply