Is it a Dana 44??????

[gotrocks]

I just bought this axle from a guy who wasn't completely sure if it was a 44.  I'm not stupid when it comes to axles but I was almost completely sure that it was a D44.  He said that when he bought it from the wrecking yard 10 years ago that the guy told him that it was from a 76 or close chevy 1/2 ton.  I know that they switched over to the 10 bolt and I'm just hopping that it is not a 10 bolt.

PLEASE HELP

[gotrocks]

Here are all of the casting numbers I could find on the housing.  I'm hoping the one that says GM4 means its a 44.

[MiniSimp]

I say it's a 44

http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml


DANA 44
All domestic manufacturers have used Dana axles, and the 44, with its 8 1/2-inch ring gear, is likely to be a step up on anything smaller than a 1/2-ton. A narrowed 44 could be the hot ticket for vehicles smaller than a full-size sport-utility. It was standard under the front of pre-1976 Chevy Blazers and 1/2-tons, solid front-axled F-150s and Broncos, and Jeep J-10/J-20s and Grand Wagoneers.

[gotrocks]

yeah I've been to that website but if you look at the 2 bolts rounding the right top corner they don't match that picture exactly

[MiniSimp]

Here is another 44, shapped a little different, but still a 44

[MiniSimp]

and I'm just hopping that it is not a 10 bolt.

I count 10 bolts...

[KYOTA]

Its a 10 bolt. If it were a 44 it would have "44F" cast into the front of the housing to the right of the cover (in the red circle)

[gotrocks]

the 44 and the 10 bolt have 10 diff bolts

[gotrocks]

Its a 10 bolt. If it were a 44 it would have "44F" cast into the front of the housing to the right of the cover (in the red circle)

DAMN if you are right I'm pissed.  I hope that some other ones are different.  Anybody have any ideas on what teh GM4 stands for?? 

[gotrocks]

see here is what confuses me with the picts on that axle guide site. 

First pic 10 bolt

Last D44

OK now it doesn't match up to either one exactly.  Where there different variations of the 44 axle and if it does end up being a 10 bolt I've heard the outer hubs and rotors/calipers with work with 44 axle shafts.  Is this true?

[gotrocks]

does anyone have a picture of a front 10 bolt out of a chevy truck.  I can't seem to find one that'd help too.  Close up hopefully.

[UNBREAKABLE]

Thats a 10-bolt!

[gotrocks]

how can you tell for sure

[crawlerdan]

10 bolts have "ears" at 4c corners of the diff housing. a 44 does not

[crawlerdan]

and all 44 fronts/10 bolt fronts out of chevs are identical except for the diff housing and spline count, but the outers, knuckles, brakes, axle tubes ect......... are the same. hope this helps a little. also, 78 was the last year for 44, first of the 10 bolt, both were offered in 6 and 8 lug variants

[gotrocks]

would it be possible to put 44 inners in it.  I have a D44 with a drivers side diff and I would sell it but I have more into it than I want to lose.  I have a ARB and gears that I want to use and hubs.  I would be buying different axle shafts and what not I just need the housing more than anything else.

[crawlerdan]

if you have d44 axles and carrier(locker), then it will bolt into your 10 bolt housing, is that what your trying to do? i didnt quite understand, but you can. you can not, however, interchange 10 bolt, d44 alxes and carriers, 44s are 19/21 spline and 10s are 17 spline, if i remember right.

[gotrocks]

Yes I want to put the ARB carrier and gears that I have into the 10 bolt houseing. I'm NOT planning on using the axle shafts from the 10 bolt I AM planning on buying Warns and Ctms or equivalent.

The reason for this is because I already have a complete D44 but with the wrong side output.  I just pretty much needed a houseing that had 6 lugs and that I can use for with D44 carrier and gears that I already have.

I got the housing which is in really good condition for 220 bucks with a full set of Chevy ubolts and clamps

[crawlerdan]

make sure that the long/short axles are the same length, or +/- no more than 1/4 inch. check the carrier bearings, pinion bearings, some where different from year to year and 1/2 or 3/4 ton apps... but theoretically, it should work, let me know, if not, i would just cut the tubes on your 44, and switch em! ive done that! cant find pass. drop 60s? turn a drivers drop into one, pretty easy if you are confident in your welding skills...later

[gotrocks]

can you show me a pic of an axle you've done that too.

[crawlerdan]

no, it was for a customer, never took pics, but im sure you can imagine that.... switch places little tubes, good job....

[kyle_22r]

if you're wanting a d44, there's nothing wrong with a 10 bolt.  they're actually stronger than a d44, but use the same knuckles.  only downsides are that you can only get 5.38 gears(not that its a big deal) and probably less locker selection.

rear 10 bolts are a POS in any off road truck though...

[scheid6996]

mot true, a front 10 bolt isnt stronger, the next best thing to a d44 is a d60

[crawlerdan]

i agree with him

[IronClad]

if you look at the numbers the 10bolt  IS stronger than a 44  its just a general misconception that a 44 is stronger just because of the 30/28 spline thing. the gears are larger and  take more torque load. the shafts also do not neck down as severely   and you can get 5.56 gears for them. there is actually a few locker choices out there for it but i chose to wel d mine  never popped a shaft. they work great and parts are damn near free since noone wants a 10 bolt..

[crawlerdan]

ya, you do see em everywhere

[gotrocks]

Lets get a poll started then.  Should I keep the 10 bolt and try to mix and match what I can off my 44 since i have the gears and lockers or sell it and find a 44

[CTENG in KS]

Well...if you are convinced you are going 44 stuff one way or the other, order the shafts and see if it will all fit in the 10-bolt housing.  If you find that you can't get them to fit, sell the 10 bolt for ten bucks and go buy a D44 housing...all in all you have wasted no more money than you would have spent in the first place, just a little time...   

[crawlerdan]

i vote for the 44, there not all that hard to find

[91 super yoda]

ive got a 44 out of a scout that i would be happy to sell you, its going on ebay today, but ill let it go to another toyota guy for $150