Narrowing the Dana 44 front - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Madd Doc · 03-26-2012, 05:28 PM

Does anyone have a list of the various stock axle lengths for Dana 44 front ends? and /or which vehicle they were used on. I will need to narrow my front end but would like to cut the housing to a stock axle length.

My build thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...14#post5273714

coops714x4 · 03-26-2012, 07:16 PM

the dana 44 is one of the most used front diffs that I know of chevy's, fords. dodge's, and jeeps. as far as lengths I cant help ya. first what is it out of and next what are you putting it in ?? Then is it a 1/2 ton or 3/4, like any mod there are a bunch of questions like splines, drum or disc brake, so many variables,

Madd Doc · 03-27-2012, 11:00 AM

not sure what it came out of PO said mid to late 70's chevy 1/2 ton. Its open knuckle and has disc brakes. I am putting it in my 58 chevy truck. I know the 44 was used in a lot different vehicles, my thought was that some one would have an interchange data sheet for it with info on axle lengths.

My build thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...14#post5273714

Mike C · 03-27-2012, 09:27 PM

If I were you, I would look for a 6 lug Wagoneer 44 and see if you could swap that in, no narrowing needed.

But if you want to narrow yours, I would look at the Wagoneer replacment longside axle or one from a 66-77 Bronco. Google those and you should be able to find common lengths. 4Wheelparts sells some replacement axles, and I think www.ringpinion.com lists lengths by vehicle.

justcuz · 03-27-2012, 10:23 PM

We put a 72 Blazer front axle in a 58 pickup. Never narrowed it a bit. All we had to do was open up the holes in the spring pads for the center bolts. If you run tall narrow tires the wheels don't stick out any further than the fenders as I recall. A good upgrade would be a car saginaw steering box inside the frame with a crossover drag link.

Madd Doc · 03-28-2012, 12:14 AM

Thanks for the info, and the link, will check that option out, I could the front end it like it is as you mentioned the spring pads are not that far off but the wheel mounting surfaces are about 4 inches wider than stock, that seem like a lot to me. I have the tools and knowledge to narrow the housing and can pay to have the axles cut down but would rather narrow it to a factory axle length and buy those axles rather than custom length axles. seems easier if one should break in the future.

My build thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...14#post5273714

Mike C · 03-29-2012, 05:47 PM

If you are planning on aftermarket wheels, then you can vary backpacing significantly. An 8" wheel with 5" backspace effective narrows the track width by 1 1/2" per side relative to the same wheel with a 3.5" bs. If you swap matching axle from the donor into the rear, the same wheels should be close to perfect in the rear. Measure twice...

SeventyOne · 03-30-2012, 07:07 PM

I agree with just using a Wagoneer axle. I think pre ~'85 is passenger side housing. If I remember right the width is around 63".

Would certainly be cheaper than make everything a custom width.

03-26-2012, 05:28 PM	#1
Madd Doc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Vail AZ. Posts: 104	Narrowing the Dana 44 front Does anyone have a list of the various stock axle lengths for Dana 44 front ends? and /or which vehicle they were used on. I will need to narrow my front end but would like to cut the housing to a stock axle length. My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...14#post5273714

03-26-2012, 07:16 PM	#2
coops714x4 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cement Oklahoma Posts: 916	Re: Narrowing the Dana 44 front the dana 44 is one of the most used front diffs that I know of chevy's, fords. dodge's, and jeeps. as far as lengths I cant help ya. first what is it out of and next what are you putting it in ?? Then is it a 1/2 ton or 3/4, like any mod there are a bunch of questions like splines, drum or disc brake, so many variables, __________________ 1971 K20, Coop's beast (project) 1972 C30 wrecker, "Big Ernest" (SOLD) 1975 K5 Blazer (wife's toy) she got it in the divorce 2014 Street Glide Special 1983 K20 Big Block, auto (work horse)

03-27-2012, 11:00 AM	#3
Madd Doc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Vail AZ. Posts: 104	Re: Narrowing the Dana 44 front not sure what it came out of PO said mid to late 70's chevy 1/2 ton. Its open knuckle and has disc brakes. I am putting it in my 58 chevy truck. I know the 44 was used in a lot different vehicles, my thought was that some one would have an interchange data sheet for it with info on axle lengths. My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...14#post5273714

03-27-2012, 09:27 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	Re: Narrowing the Dana 44 front If I were you, I would look for a 6 lug Wagoneer 44 and see if you could swap that in, no narrowing needed. But if you want to narrow yours, I would look at the Wagoneer replacment longside axle or one from a 66-77 Bronco. Google those and you should be able to find common lengths. 4Wheelparts sells some replacement axles, and I think www.ringpinion.com lists lengths by vehicle. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

03-27-2012, 10:23 PM	#5
justcuz Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alta Loma, Ca. Posts: 930	Re: Narrowing the Dana 44 front We put a 72 Blazer front axle in a 58 pickup. Never narrowed it a bit. All we had to do was open up the holes in the spring pads for the center bolts. If you run tall narrow tires the wheels don't stick out any further than the fenders as I recall. A good upgrade would be a car saginaw steering box inside the frame with a crossover drag link.

03-28-2012, 12:14 AM	#6
Madd Doc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Vail AZ. Posts: 104	Re: Narrowing the Dana 44 front Thanks for the info, and the link, will check that option out, I could the front end it like it is as you mentioned the spring pads are not that far off but the wheel mounting surfaces are about 4 inches wider than stock, that seem like a lot to me. I have the tools and knowledge to narrow the housing and can pay to have the axles cut down but would rather narrow it to a factory axle length and buy those axles rather than custom length axles. seems easier if one should break in the future. My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...14#post5273714

03-29-2012, 05:47 PM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	Re: Narrowing the Dana 44 front If you are planning on aftermarket wheels, then you can vary backpacing significantly. An 8" wheel with 5" backspace effective narrows the track width by 1 1/2" per side relative to the same wheel with a 3.5" bs. If you swap matching axle from the donor into the rear, the same wheels should be close to perfect in the rear. Measure twice... __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

03-30-2012, 07:07 PM	#8
SeventyOne Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oakland, Ca Posts: 1,382	Re: Narrowing the Dana 44 front I agree with just using a Wagoneer axle. I think pre ~'85 is passenger side housing. If I remember right the width is around 63". Would certainly be cheaper than make everything a custom width.



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