What kind of diff would be in a '64 jeep?

I know it has 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern and is fairly narrow at 58 WMS to WMS. But what brand could it be????

 

maybe a dana...

 

Could be a Dana 44, or maybe a 30. Might even be a corporate AMC. Whatever the case, if it has the two-piece, tapered spline hubs, run away. Even slightly loose, with any amount of torque=bye bye splines, hello one wheel wonder!!

 

Dana 44 rear
Dana 25 or 27 front

 

Any one of several smaller Dana's, with any luck it's a Dana 44. Post a picture of the cover.

 

You lost me....can you explain this better? This is a rear axle and I don't think it has hubs?

 

64' stock rear axle would be an offset Dana 44. It would be of the two piece axle design. If you look at the brake drum it will appear to have a grease cap similar too a front hub thus they are called a hub. Not much use on a hot rod.

 

The more modern axle shaft itself has a flange on which the brake drum or disc, then finally the wheel attaches to. Earlier styles had an axle with a tapered spline on the end instead of the aforementioned flange. The hub fit over this tapered spline and was held on with a castle nut and cotter pin, hence the name two piece. The spline count was low, not good for higher torque engines, and as mentioned, if at all loose the splines would machine themselves right off. There was, or is a kit to make the two piece Jeep axles one piece.

 

9

So let me get this straight- if it has a grease cap in center of the drum back away?

So If it looks like my Ford 9" in the center of the drum I am okay?

This diff is 100 miles away from me so I can't just go look that easy...

 

Yes, I would. Those one piece axle kits were kind of pricey, marketed to the off-road crowd. Others may have differing opinions.

 

On the plus side, the Dana 44 is the most common rear end, found under everything for Packards to mail jeeps to new Fords and Jeep grand wagoneers and cherokees. Vipers and the last of the regular transmission Corvettes used them too.

Limited slip units are very affordable, as are new axles, and all the other rebuild parts.

The more I learn about them, the more I like them, and am surprised they aren't used more in rods.

-Brad

 

Dana 44 differentials are good, as you point out, in addition there is almost unlimited ratios. The weak areas are the two piece axles; these are on earlier vehicles. Later 44s almost always had the conventional flanged axles.

On a side note, I have seen many late 50s IHC 1/2 ton pickups with Dana 44s; more often then not, I have seen a sticker in the glovebox or on the dash informing the occupant of a No-Spin differential. Unfortunately, the axles terminate in those pesky tapered splines. I guess you could take the good stuff out of the housing and use it elsewhere. Just an idea.

 

I'm surprised Brad didn't mention all those Dana 44s installed in 50s-60s GMC pickups. And Checker cabs.

hey, is this post 10,000?

 

Make sure its not offset, one axle WAY shorter then the other. If it is you won't be able to use it with a centered driveline. Most JEEPs from that period that were 4X4 will have an offset rearend. If its from a DJ or 2wd truck you will be OK. My experience with the 2 piece is that it is weak. 14 spline axles and a keyway at the wheel really limits them I took one out with a stock 225 in a 69. The conversion kit is no longer avaliable new as I understand it.

 

Like the earlier post said if it is offset you should skip it unless there are 2 of them and you want to narrow the rear. The spline count on these is very low and flanged 44's, that is what jeeps came with if it was a 1 piece axle are pretty rare. Not all of the later dana 44 pieces are interchangable.

 

I run an old Jeep I6 in the Beater . The donor vehicle had a Dana 44. Huge center cetion. Still available. might need it...ya never know.