Projects HELP REAR AXLE ID. 58 APACHE

This is my first ever project so i will thank everyone now since i havea huge learning curve. This rear axle (or front possibly at one time) sits in the rear of a 1959 apache stepside. It has no corner numbers and the BOM leaves me with nothing. Any help is appreciated. It is six lug and a dana 44 im****uming. Thanks again!

 

Looks like a Dana 44 out of a Jeep J-10 pickup, and some full size Jeep Cherokees or Wagoneers. Is it offset to one side, or centered?

 

It is centered. Thanks!

 

Looks the same as the one that was in my 59 GMC 1/2 ton, until I took it out. It was the original rear axel.

 

I'm guessing GMC from late 50s-late 60s also, if it's 6 lug

 

Thanks guys it's much appreciated.

 

It is a Dana 44 with actually came in the GMC Truck so it may have been traded out came from the factory that way. I parted out a 58 GMC and my cousin bought a back have of a GMC frame with box that had been turned into a trailer, and my youngest brother has a 65 GMC and they all have this same Dana 44 rear end. Pull the cover, two of mine have Posi tract units in them. Mine all have 3:54 gear ratios. They bolt right into the Chevy trucks so I am guessing some one switched it out.

 

I'm going from memory but I believe it is a*****er 45 not a Dana 44 in that era GMC trucks. That looks just like the one in my 58. Was probably swapped into the Apache. Some of those came with 3.08 gears.

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You thought it might possibly be a front axle but if it was it would have steering knuckles, so no.

 

Great info. Thanks.

 

the 45 was used in the 50s, the 44 in the 60s. That one is a 44, it says so right there on the housing.

btw I have a 45 which was originally installed in a 59 chevy truck, that was the posi option..it's 3.92 ratio. The 3.54 ratio 44 was used in the 60s in GMCs behind the 305 V6

 

The number stamped into the axle tube is the Dana bill of materials number. The listing is available online and will tell all about this axle


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Sure is. Plug in your number: http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/deabill.aspx

 

I did and there dead ends.

 

GMCs used the dana axle as standard equiptment. Chevy pickups used salisbury stuff unless you specified a heavy duty axle which is a dana GMC axle.
Your truck probably came with this dana axle as an option.

 

Clean farther to the right.

None of the numbers shown is the BOM number.

 

Yeah, I see it now, Jim. I was looking at the pics on my cell phone before and couldn't see the detail. Dana 44 should be easier to get parts for. Can't find***** for the 45.

So you guys are saying that the dana was an option for the Chevys in the late 50's as a HD and/or posi rear? I didn't know that.

 

Wow thanks guys. I should have added that I do know it isnt factory. It has shock mounts on the tubes that are not original to 59 so Im pretty sure it was a swap. Look in the pictures and you will see the mounts left on. I searched the internet for awhile finding no certain ansers. I should have started here first I really appreciate the knowledge.

 

The Dana axle was used in late 50s Chevy trucks in only one application, that was 1959 half ton trucks with the new for 59 Positraction option. I have one of those...the truck even had the sticker on the inside of the glove box door.

 

Good info. Thanks.

 

My 58 has no shock mounts but the newer ones I have came from 60's trucks and they have the shock mount weld to the tubes. I'm guessing yours is from a 50's truck. Also wanted to say the Dana 44 has a deeper hat size on the brake drum so finding brake drums is pretty hard to find to, we did find a guy on Ebay that has them and was able to get one but it was the only one he had, he said he would have more soon, they look to be Chinese, our guy at the parts store didn't write down his information and I have not been able to find him again. If you have good brake drums hang on to them, the Chevy ones will not work on the Dana rear end. Just thought you might want to know. If any one does know where to get drums for the Dana 44 please post it, it would be nice to know where to find them, we were able to cut one we had, but if it needs it again we are going to have to find another one. Thanks for the information guys every little bit helps now a days.

 

this is the mid 60s GMC Dana 60 rear that I put into my 59 chevy pickup. So you can see what the shock mounts and snubbers look like.

 

Ok squirrel great information. I checked also and it is not posi. Today Ive been looking at alternative axles. So far Ive come up with 1988 firebird, 1969 gmc 4x4, 1998-2003 s10 4x4, 1883 gmc 4x4. Are any of these good swaps with the proper gearing and possibly the addition of disc on the back? Should i start a new thread?

 

what's wrong with the 44? it's a good axle!

 

Squirrel would i benefit from posi? The current setup is a 1970 corvette 350 with stock 300hp and a turbo 400. If keeping this is a good option then thats great.

 

Like i said im a newbie and trying to figure this out before wasting money.

 

Posi is nice, but not necessary....unless maybe you're drag racing, or off road racing, or something. If the rear you have is in good condition, has a reasonable gear ratio for the driving you intend to do with the drivetrain you intend to have, and the wheel bolt pattern works for you, why change it?

 

Perfect! Thats what i needed to hear. I truly am thankful for your advice.

 

The Dana 44 is a good strong axle. I have one in the front of a 4x4 rig, that has been violently abused, and had 10x the torque ot was rated for intermittently run through it.

Zero issues.

The only caveat would be early 2-piece axles. Those have to go.