d44 axle ratio - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JREs69er · 02-03-2005, 08:54 AM

What is the easiest way to determine the gear ratio on my dana 44? The id's on the axle itself won't help in identification, will it.

I know this has been talked about in the past but I wasn't able to find it in the searches. any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Rod · 02-03-2005, 09:20 AM

A way of a practical check without pulling the cover is just listing what you have for a motor and tranny combination.. if the glove box sticker is still there and does not list any option gear ratio changes then you basically have the standard equipment ratio.

I'll guess if you have a 69 3/4 ton you have 4.57 if its 1/2 ton then 3.73 ratio.
Standard equipment changed depending on the motor you originally had with the truck. Being higher ratios were usually used in lower powered trucks.....6 cyl typically used higher ratio.

JREs69er · 02-04-2005, 04:59 AM

Rod,
I have a 69 K20, V8 350 with 4-speed (granny gear). So does that mean I have 4.57 ratio? If I were to take the cover off to verify, what am I looking for? I remember reading something about marking the drive shaft and counting teeth on gears but don't recall exactly what needs to be done. Thanks for the response.

4bynut · 02-04-2005, 06:35 AM

If you pull the cover, count the # of teeth on the ring gear and divide it by the # of teeth on the pinion gear. The sum will be the gear ratio. For example the D44 axle I have has 45 teeth on the ring gear and 11 teeth on the pinion gear which gives you a 4.09 gear ratio. Hope this helps Jason.

Blazer1970 · 02-04-2005, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JREs69er

Rod,
I have a 69 K20, V8 350 with 4-speed (granny gear). So does that mean I have 4.57 ratio? If I were to take the cover off to verify, what am I looking for? I remember reading something about marking the drive shaft and counting teeth on gears but don't recall exactly what needs to be done. Thanks for the response.

I would guess 4.10s on that one. You can also tell by the BOM number that is stamped on the axle tube to the right of the pumpkin when looking under the front of the truck.

Mudder · 02-04-2005, 12:44 PM

I have raised one of the rear tires and counted the number of revolutions of the driveshaft. You have to be pretty precise and mark each.

JREs69er · 02-07-2005, 08:02 AM

ok fellas, something doesn't seem right here. i jacked up both the front/rear ends and rotated the driveshaft while marking both the front/rear tires and i got about 2.25 turns of the driveshaft to 1 turn of the tires. is this even possible. I have read alot about gear ratios and do not recall anything in this range. there is a tag on the front differential case and it states 4.55. i don't know if the previous owner messed with the axles but i would venture to say no. if it is a 4.55, then i should have gotten the 4 1/2 turns on the driveshaft. let me know what you guys think.

**JIMs70GMC** · 02-07-2005, 10:36 AM

Yep that is because of the open differential you would double the number of turns and that puts you at 4.56 gears.

JREs69er · 02-08-2005, 07:50 AM

I Was Hoping That Was The Case.

For My Next Question, Can I Take The Gears From My Dana 44 And Put Them In A Dana 44 Axle From 76' With No Issues Or Are There Differences Between 69 And 76 Making Them Incompatible.

Blazer1970 · 02-08-2005, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JREs69er

I Was Hoping That Was The Case.

For My Next Question, Can I Take The Gears From My Dana 44 And Put Them In A Dana 44 Axle From 76' With No Issues Or Are There Differences Between 69 And 76 Making Them Incompatible.

They are the same.

02-03-2005, 08:54 AM	#1
JREs69er Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 75	d44 axle ratio What is the easiest way to determine the gear ratio on my dana 44? The id's on the axle itself won't help in identification, will it. I know this has been talked about in the past but I wasn't able to find it in the searches. any help would be appreciated. Thanks

02-03-2005, 09:20 AM	#2
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	A way of a practical check without pulling the cover is just listing what you have for a motor and tranny combination.. if the glove box sticker is still there and does not list any option gear ratio changes then you basically have the standard equipment ratio. I'll guess if you have a 69 3/4 ton you have 4.57 if its 1/2 ton then 3.73 ratio. Standard equipment changed depending on the motor you originally had with the truck. Being higher ratios were usually used in lower powered trucks.....6 cyl typically used higher ratio. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

02-04-2005, 06:35 AM	#4
4bynut Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Morrison, IL Posts: 793	If you pull the cover, count the # of teeth on the ring gear and divide it by the # of teeth on the pinion gear. The sum will be the gear ratio. For example the D44 axle I have has 45 teeth on the ring gear and 11 teeth on the pinion gear which gives you a 4.09 gear ratio. Hope this helps Jason. __________________ 2007 Chevy 2500HD crew cab, 4x4, duramax w/Allison trans. 2001 Chevy ZR2 Ext. cab 4x4 (DD) 1967 Chevy SWB 4x4, BBC, Th400, NP205, 6" lift, and 35's (In Process) 1970 Chevy Blazer 4x4, BBC, TH400, NP241, 6" lift, and 38.5 boggers in front, 44 boggers on the rear ( mud racer project)

02-07-2005, 10:36 AM	#8
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Yep that is because of the open differential you would double the number of turns and that puts you at 4.56 gears. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

02-04-2005, 04:59 AM	#3
JREs69er Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 75	Rod, I have a 69 K20, V8 350 with 4-speed (granny gear). So does that mean I have 4.57 ratio? If I were to take the cover off to verify, what am I looking for? I remember reading something about marking the drive shaft and counting teeth on gears but don't recall exactly what needs to be done. Thanks for the response.

02-04-2005, 12:44 PM	#6
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I have raised one of the rear tires and counted the number of revolutions of the driveshaft. You have to be pretty precise and mark each.

02-07-2005, 08:02 AM	#7
JREs69er Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 75	ok fellas, something doesn't seem right here. i jacked up both the front/rear ends and rotated the driveshaft while marking both the front/rear tires and i got about 2.25 turns of the driveshaft to 1 turn of the tires. is this even possible. I have read alot about gear ratios and do not recall anything in this range. there is a tag on the front differential case and it states 4.55. i don't know if the previous owner messed with the axles but i would venture to say no. if it is a 4.55, then i should have gotten the 4 1/2 turns on the driveshaft. let me know what you guys think.

02-08-2005, 07:50 AM	#9
JREs69er Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 75	I Was Hoping That Was The Case. For My Next Question, Can I Take The Gears From My Dana 44 And Put Them In A Dana 44 Axle From 76' With No Issues Or Are There Differences Between 69 And 76 Making Them Incompatible.



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