The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Dana 44

I went to my classic parts store to get a handbrake cable. The sales guy looked under the truck and said that I don't have a stock 59 Apache LWB rearend. He said I have a Dana44. Google brings up sites for Jeeps, Broncos, and Internationals.
Were these ever used by the factory on GM or Chev?

I'd never heard of it being used, myself ... Sounds like somebody wanted a bit of rock-crawler fun if I remember my rock crawler magazines right. Be interesting to see how this goes!

Does you're truck have Positraction? The '59s with Posi used the GMC rearend, which was a Spicer 45. The Spicer 45 is very similar to the 44. The parking brake cables and brake drums are different from the Eaton HO36 rearend that open diff Chevies ran.

This rearend has been in the truck since I took ownership 10 years ago. How can I tell if it's Positraction?

Any marks I should look for on the punkin?

LMC has some kind of description, http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ca/full.aspx?Page=77 <-- as seen here. Also, I think the old test of burning out, and is it one strip of rubber or two may apply here yet ... Posi is ... two, I believe.

I have a Dana 44 sitting in my pole building. Mine is a posi with 3.54 gearing. It came out of a 60's Suburban. I don't know how you can tell by just looking at it, if it's a posi or not, but if you take the cover off, or maybe jack up the rear end, and spin one wheel, both should rotate in the same direction. I may be wrong, so you might not want to listen to me.

My Dana also has a little metal tag that says to use limited slip diff. lube only.

There should be the mentioned tag, or, if you jack up the rear and spin one tire, with the trans in neutral, they'll both spin the same direction. In gear, you shouldn't be able to turn the wheel at all. If it is a factory '59 Posi, it will be a 3.92 gear.

I have a 1962 GMC Suburban with what appears to be a Dana 44. It also has the tag that reads limited slip diff. Is it a Dana 44?

It should be. In the GMCs, they used the Dana axle instead of the Eatons that the Chevrolets used. For a positive ID, take a look on the front snout of the center cection, just above the pinion. It should have a "44" cast into it. The "44" may also be present on the rear face of the housing, to the left of the cover. Spicer/Dana casts the differential model number on the ceter castings. It may also be stamped on the cover, though that isn't always the case.

She was a Dana 44 as you described. Thanks LONGBOX55.

No problem.