Different Dana 44 axles??

[awest5321]

I have these two different size dana 44 axles from early broncos and was wondering if anyone could help me identify them. Maybe the larger axle is from a 76? Not sure though.

 

[SteveL]

I don't think 76-77 axles were larger but not sure. If it uses the larger u-joint it may be a full size axle cut down. Common upgrade before moly axles were so accessible.

 

[399strokerEB]

The thinner ones I believe are off the standard gvr, and the thicker off the higher.

 

[Rustytruck]

The early Bronco used a small U-joint, The heavier shaft can be swapped in from the chevy short side dana 44 with the larger U-joint. the heavier long side must be cut down and resplined or made from scratch. the f150 and 78-79 Big bronco short shaft can be used but the spline needs to be under cut and the spline is a little short. some were OK but some were not I bought my oversize shafts from Currie back in the day. they are much more available these days than 30 years ago. they are cheaper now new than cutting and re-splining we use to do.

 

[Seventee]

Is that bottom shaft from a Dana 30? It has a machined seal surface and didn't the Dana 30 use an outer tube seal?

 

[awest5321]

They are both 30 spline Dana 44 axles from early broncos. I remember seeing this type of larger axle in a 76 model I had back many years ago. It was a stock vehicle, I knew the owner when new and bought it from him. He never worked on or upgraded the front axles. I changed from 3.50 to 4.11 gears and remember this type of larger axle. All my other broncos had the smaller shaft.

 

[bigmuddy]

The early Bronco used a small U-joint, The heavier shaft can be swapped in from the chevy short side dana 44 with the larger U-joint. the heavier long side must be cut down and resplined or made from scratch. the f150 and 78-79 Big bronco short shaft can be used but the spline needs to be under cut and the spline is a little short. some were OK but some were not I bought my oversize shafts from Currie back in the day. they are much more available these days than 30 years ago. they are cheaper now new than cutting and re-splining we use to do.

All early broncos were small shaft, small u-joint. The larger one came from a big bronco or f-150 as rusty truck mentioned.

I had one cut and re-splined and I cut the other side myself.