Dana44 gear swap
 

I have a Dana44 in front on the '59 and I need to change the gears to match the rear. Just after I bought the truck I had the rear diff replaced along with both axel shafts, as one shaft was bent (for a while i guess) and had damaged the the gears......guy told me I needed whole new set up. So what I ended up with is a new Eaton posi and 3.73 gears. I've got 33 x 12.5 tires on it. So now I need to swap out what the Dana BOM says are 3.07 gears to match the rear end. I've never done it before so what I need to know is how hard is it and what special tools might I need. I think I might need to do more than just the gear swap -- If I park at an angle - lube runs out at the wheels!!
Any advise on what or how would be appreciated -- I'm new to the 4x4 stuff and school starts now!!
Thanks Jeff

Re: Dana44 gear swap
 

To do it correctly will be time consuming. You would need dial indicators, bearing pullers, seal pullers.

You need to be sure to set your back lash and side lash correctly to not wear your ring and pinion out prematurely or have a horrific hum from you frontend.
uninstall is easy and self explanatory.
Install is where you need to mark the pinon and ring gears with a chaulk of paint pen to you can set where the 2 will mesh at.
you don't want to far out on the gear or to far in and you don't want to much or to little contact on the gear also..

I know theier are more knowledged people then me on this subject..

So if any help for ya I am TTT'ing this

Re: Dana44 gear swap
 

the leaking when you park on an angle is that inner axle seal. you take off tire, lockout, brakes, spindle, pull the axle out and its right there. mine looked like the same seal that goes on the transfer case yoke. it took me about 2 or 3 hours to change mine. a competent mechanic should be able to do it alot faster.

stan

Re: Dana44 gear swap
 

Don't quote me but because he has a '59 with a close-knuckle axle I don't believe it has those seals in the housing. It will have seals at the knuckle balls, and those are probably shot.

Re: Dana44 gear swap
 

I should have put in my post that the D44, and the rest of the drivetrain- sb350,sm465,np205- is from a '74 k10, so that may make a difference in the seal question. I think after reading a few other threads I'll probably take it down to the gear shop that did the rear end, I'm thinking about either an air locker or or other posi type diff. for the front also. I'm not planning on doing any rock crawling (the '59 body is way too straight for that!), but I do want to do some mild trails and I'm considering moving to Maine next year so snow/ice will be an issue.
Thanks for the advice/info drnk2mny Stan & Chris
Jeff