9n or dana 44 re-gear

[figo40]

Hi, guys, it's been awhile since I have posted. I am bringing the Bronco into the shop this winter for some much needed spruce up. I installed a Dana 44 complete axle with Disc brakes awhile back thinking the gear ratio was the same as the rear axle, turned out, not so much. Step 1 is to figure out the ratios, respectivley, then change one or the other. I just drive gravel roads mostly, no highway or heavy wheeling. What is the best / easiest way to determine the gear ratios? and which axle will be cheaper / easier to redo to match the other? I think I already know the answer but would appreciate your opinions here.

 

[okie4570]

9" is the easiest to replace IMO, but if the gearing in the 9" is the gearing you want to keep, there's not really any choice lol. Check gearing by lifting the axle being checked off the ground, spin a tire and see how many times the drive shaft rotates per 1 tire revolution.

 

[Blue Bastard]

9" is a lot cheaper/easier to have done. Hope the front is something you can live with.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, X2. You will be looking for something like 3.5 to 1, or a little more than 4 would be 4:11 to one. I mark a drive shaft cap with chalk to avoid a mistake. Good luck

 

[figo40]

Thank's guy's. that pretty much what i was thinking.

 

[GrillMaster]

I did both myself and agree the 9" is easier. Had to borrow a case spreader for the D44 and had more trouble setting the gear pattern up on the 44 gears. But I would choose the gears you want and work from there. Do it right the first time.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Depending on what size tires you have or are going to have you may be better off re-gearing both.

 

[kyle]

Pull the cover on the dana 44 rotate the gears until you find the numbers stamped on the ring gear. 3.50's should be something like 42/12. It's the ratio of teeth on the pinion gear versus the ring gear.

 

[garberz]

Pull the cover on the dana 44 rotate the gears until you find the numbers stamped on the ring gear. 3.50's should be something like 42/12. It's the ratio of teeth on the pinion gear versus the ring gear.

Yup, no guessing with this method.

Mark

 

[kyle]

I guess the simplest place to start is with the tags. Are they there? May be covered under grease on Dana 44 cover.

 

[Broncobowsher]

There is a quick check. Go in the tech section and under the axles there is a finding gear ratios. Just do both driveshafts instead of just one. Be sure to leave the transfer case in 2WD.

Now the question is how did you like it when in 2WD? Need more gear, less gear, or were you happy with it? If the rear axle is geared perfect for you, change the front to match. If it isn't right, can you make it right by changing the rear to match the front?

And a thing about "matching" gear ratios. From the factory they didn't match. You would get a 3.54/3.50 or 4.09/4.11 or 4.10/4.11 pairings. Even the aftermarket 4.88 gears turn out to be 4.89/4.86 pairing. Sometimes the front is faster, other times it is slower. Considering that you only need 4WD on slippery surfaces, where the tires WILL slip, it doesn't matter that it is slightly off.

 

[figo40]

I'll pull the cover on the 44 and check when I get it in the shop. I mostly never get out of first gear so I'll go with what ever is the lower ratio. it's going to be close to a month before it hits the shop, the weathers to nice to stop driving it now! When it does go in it's getting new reat fuel tank, New Radiator, pulling the timing cover to install a missing cam eccentric, oopps! and going back to mechanical fuel pump. New windshield and who knows what else. I did the original resto-mod in 2005 so it's time.

 

[JAFO]

One thought regarding the front...typically that isn't used at high speeds. You could be a tiny bit off with your pattern and probably not need to worry about it as much as if the rear were off. I replaced the whole third member in mine for the rear and did a rebuild on the Dana44 up front. The Dana 44 wasn't bad, but I bought some cheap bearings and made setup bearings for the job.

You do need to make sure you have the correct Dana 44 carrier to match your gear ratio you select.

http://www.differentials.com/technical-help/carrier-breaks

Checking your gear ratio...
http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/gear-ratio.html

 

[kyle]

Sorry...re-read. You're talking about gear mesh