4WHEELOFFROAD.COM 4-WHEEL & OFF-ROADOCTOBER 2019 25
T
here are multiple
ways to positive-
ly identify a Dana
a xle, even if it has
been separated from
the donor vehicle. As
mentioned, look for
the axle model num-
ber cast into one of
the reinforcing ribs of
the differential housing. The gear ratio tag attached to two of the differential cover bolts will
sometimes note the model number but will always have the six- to eight-digit Bill of Materi-
als number as well as notations for the axle’s gear ratio. The ratio is sometimes noted as the
actual ratio (e.g., “4.11”) but is usually noted as the number of teeth on the ring-and- pinion
that you can divide to get the ratio (e.g., “41 10”). The BOM number will also be stamped
somewhere on one of the axletubes (usually the long side), and later axles will often have a
paper tag with the BOM that might still be legible. If you are able to find the BOM of a Dana
axle, you can go to danamate.com and find out everything you ever wanted to know about
the axle, including all of the part numbers for service parts and more. This is very handy
information, as seals and other small parts for the same axle model can vary by when it was
manufactured and the vehicle it was originally under.DANA AXLE ID
COURTESYOFDANADANA 44
Identification: Roughly D-shaped cover
with 10 bolts, 10^3 ⁄ 8 inches wide. Often (but
not always), “44” is cast into a reinforcing
rib of the differential housing.
Found In: Front or rear of numerous
Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, International,
and Isuzu models.
Specs: 81 ⁄ 2 -inch ring gear, 2.73-5.89 gear
ratios, semifloating.
The Good: These are very popular axles
for a reason. They are strong and versatile,
having been used in many applications.
Numerous upgrades are available thanks to
such a long history, and with factory axles
made in many different configurations,
a Dana 44 is a viable swap candidate for
many applications.
The Bad: The early axles had coarse 10-
and 19-spline axleshafts that are weaker
than later versions, and replacement parts
are limited for some of these applications.
There were also undesirable closed-
knuckle Dana 44 front axles in the early
1970s. Both low- and high-pinion front 44s
were produced, which can cause confusion
when you’re ordering replacement parts.
2007 and newer JK axles are called Dana
44s, but they have little in common with
the earlier versions, and JL Dana 44s are
completely different yet again.
Notes: One of the most popular axles
ever produced, the Dana 44 was used
extensively by every OE manufacturer. Both
front and rear applications were produced,
and front axles could be high- or low-pinion
depending on the application.DANA 44DANA 60
Identification: Roughly D-shaped cover
with 10 bolt s, 12^1 ⁄ 8 inches wide. Often (but
not always), “60” is cast into a reinforcing
rib of the differential housing.
Specs: 93 ⁄ 4 -inch ring gear, 3.31-7.17:1
gear ratios.
Found In: Front or rear of numerous
Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, and International(^3) ⁄ 4 - and 1-ton trucks, semi- and full-floating,
single wheel and dualie.
The Good: Very strong with a minimum
6,500-pound GAWR, this axle is well sup-
ported by the aftermarket. Numerous
upgrades are available, including virtually
any locker, up to 40-spline axleshafts, and
much more. The front Dana 60s came in
both kingpin and ball joint configurations.
It’s hard to go wrong with a Dana 60.
The Bad: Early versions used coarse-
spline axles, and many OE rear applications
were 30-spline and not much stronger than
a Dana 44 shaft. 1994-2002 Dodge 1-ton
applications had undesirable Center Axle
Disconnect (CAD) systems, and the cast-
ings of some applications make them diffi-
cult to adapt to other suspension designs.
Notes: With nearly as long a histor y as
the Dana 44, the Dana 60 was used by
virtually every domestic manufacturer at
some point and is still in production. Buyer
beware when shopping for a Dana 60 front
from a 1999 or newer Ford Super Duty, as
the Dana 50 looks very similar to a 60 and
unscrupulous buyers often try and pass off
this much weaker axle as it s bigger brother.
DANA 60
The Good: Just about nothing. We’re
including this axle so you know what
to stay away from. There are non–C-clip
versions of this axle that can be found in
1987-1989 YJs and 1984-1989 Cherokees
that are marginally better than the C-clip
versions, but there are all kinds of axle
upgrades and gear ratios available. Not
that we’re condoning polishing this turd.
The Bad: Weak C- clip axles, weak axle -
tubes, weak gearsets, weak carrier, and
pretty much weak everything else.
Notes: It’s really not worth throwing
money at this axle, and definitely not worth
buying one in a junk yard unless you’re just
trying to get back on the road after explod-
ing one you have. Just about any other axle
is better. Seriously.