Is this a Dana 44?

[crazyshot97]

Am I mistaken, or is this a Dana 44? This is an 06 TJ Sport (4.0 6 speed). I think the Dana 44 rear was an option that year for the Sports, or it was aftermarket by previous owner. That’s if it’s even a Dana 44, I have trouble identifying but the bolt pattern seems to line up with reference pictures online.

 

[Superjay5]

Am I mistaken, or is this a Dana 44? This is an 06 TJ Sport (4.0 6 speed). I think the Dana 44 rear was an option that year for the Sports, or it was aftermarket by previous owner. That’s if it’s even a Dana 44, I have trouble identifying but the bolt pattern seems to line up with reference pictures online.

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Yes

 

[Rubiconned]

Am I mistaken, or is this a Dana 44? This is an 06 TJ Sport (4.0 6 speed). I think the Dana 44 rear was an option that year for the Sports, or it was aftermarket by previous owner. That’s if it’s even a Dana 44, I have trouble identifying but the bolt pattern seems to line up with reference pictures online.

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It looks like a 44. You can confirm by finding the drain plug which points horizontally.

 

[tr21triton]

yes the threaded fill plug is also a tell. Dana 35 has a rubber plug.

 

[Rygrego]

It looks like a 44. You can confirm by finding the drain plug which points horizontally.

Drain plug?

 

[Rubiconned]

Drain plug?

Yes, D44s have them. They are not on the diff cover.

 

[billyp]

My 06 44 does not have a drain plug.

 

[JKP]

Drain plugs are only on the Rubi 44s, IIRC.

 

[jjvw]

Yes, D44s have them. They are not on the diff cover.

Of the TJ 44s, only the Rubicon had drain plugs in the housing.

 

[Rubiconned]

Drain plugs are only on the Rubi 44s, IIRC.

That would explain things.

 

[alittleoff]

Also take a look at the left side of the diff. housing, opposite of the Dana 'diamond' in the casting. Wipe or scrape some of the oily dirt away to expose the '44' in the casting.

 

[crazyshot97]

Awesome, thanks a lot everyone. Still new to mechanical stuff so appreciate the info. I’ve never been so excited to see an axle though, totally expected a Dana 35 and some extra work to run a bigger tire after my research. Pumped!

 

[OldBuzzard]

You can go here and put in your VIN to get a build sheet:
https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

It should say "Heavy Duty Dana 44 Rear Axle" or something similar if it came from the factory with it.

 

[crazyshot97]

You can go here and put in your VIN to get a build sheet:
https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

It should say "Heavy Duty Dana 44 Rear Axle" or something similar if it came from the factory with it.

Wow look at that, I had no idea that site existed. Just tried it and there ya have it, heavy duty dana 44 rear axle under optional equipment. Awesome, thanks for the tip!

 

[jjvw]

Wow look at that, I had no idea that site existed. Just tried it and there ya have it, heavy duty dana 44 rear axle under optional equipment. Awesome, thanks for the tip!

We need further confirmation that this is truly a Dana 44.

 

[Superjay5]

We need further confirmation that this is truly a Dana 44.

Yes

 

[mrblaine]

We need further confirmation that this is truly a Dana 44.

It may have started as a Dana 44. Scrape all that rust off of it and we might get it up to a Dana 40 1/2.