My current project will have a 454/muncie manual combo, and I have two axles for it. One is a 1941 chevy d60 unit, and the other is a D44 from a 73 suburban. Both will have same gear ratio of 3.55 Which one will hold up better? Thanks guys!
head over to the hudson forum at classiccar.com and do a search for "dana" these guys have found a few update solutions for older models that use dana 44 axles.
1941 chevy truck dana 60? that I'd like to see! I think they didn't get used on Chevys until the 60s? Maybe the rear is out of something more recent, like a mid 60s GMC heavy half ton.
Bolt pattern would be the deciding factor for me. A halfton, 2 wheel drive '73 Suburban would be 5 on 5, fairly common. A '41 Chevy halfton truck would be 6 lug, and with a Dana 60 in it? That'd almost have to be a 3/4 or 1 ton truck with 8 lugs. I too doubt that a '41 came with a Dana 60 stock, so I gotta wonder if it's original.
Woulda though the Suburban would be either a GM 10- or 12-bolt, not a Dana 44. Got a pic of the '41 axle? May be a Dana 53, but that still may be too early. Metallurgically, the later axle is going to be stronger. Not to mention the spline count will be higher in the '73 and the shaft size will probably be lager. The '40s axles were almost all tapered 2-piece and that 454 and 4-speed would sheer the key right quick. I'd nod towards the '73 with some upgraded shafts. Long as you're not using slicks and keep the gear ratios below 4.10 the pinion should survive.
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