Dana 44 gear swaps

**bigblue89GMC** · 03-05-2009, 11:58 AM

I was wondering if a ring and pinon set for a jeep d44 will fit in a full-size d44?
and will a rear gear set fit in a front axle? Thoughts?

**Jimmiee** · 03-05-2009, 12:09 PM

That all depends on the ratio. The carriers are different for some gear ratios. The front and rear gears are usualythe same.

**95CTburb19** · 03-05-2009, 01:05 PM

hmmm I would think that the center section of the axle would be the same, and just the actual length of the axle tubes would be the only thing different. So I would think that they would be the same, but I am not 100% sure. Hopefully someone will chime in.

**bigblue89GMC** · 03-05-2009, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmiee

That all depends on the ratio. The carriers are different for some gear ratios. The front and rear gears are usualythe same.

I have a front axle out of a 88 or 89 1500 suburban, I assumed it has a 3.42 ratio but i havn't counted the turns yet. I'm going to 4.10's, which is what i did in the rear of my 10 bolt that had 3.42.

**Jimmiee** · 03-06-2009, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by 95CTburb19

hmmm I would think that the center section of the axle would be the same, and just the actual length of the axle tubes would be the only thing different. So I would think that they would be the same, but I am not 100% sure. Hopefully someone will chime in.

The center sections are all the same. The carrier where the ring gear bolts on is different. I believe the break is at 3.73. but don't quote me on that. The point is there are 2 carriers. One for low gears and one for higher gears. The reason is low ratio pinion gears have fewer teeth than high ratio pinion gears so the ring gear needs to be positioned closer to the center line of the differential. Clear as mud?

**bigblue89GMC** · 03-06-2009, 09:50 AM

So, if I found a jeep axle with 4.10 gears I could take out the gears and carrier and put it into my chevy axle.

**Jimmiee** · 03-06-2009, 11:09 AM

Yes you could as long as it's not a real old Jeep. Some of the older 44's were a little different. The easiest way to be sure is check the part numbers from the Dana site or Randy's Ring and Pinion site.