Can someone explain axles - dana 44's, 60's etc...

[zim]

As per title really...

I've been reading on yank forums about their axles and they keep on going on about these dana's.

What's the difference between 44 and 60 ? What did they come on ?

I'm not after new axles, just curious really.

Gordon

[cipx2]

Difference between 44 and 60: http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml see D60 description

Specs Dana 44: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_44

Specs Dana 60: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_60

Follow the external links in wikipedia articles to find out what they came on etc.

[SOA 93]

The Salisbury axle as fitted to LWB land rovers, LDV sherpa/Convoy is the same as a Dana 60.

The 44 can be found on the back of diesel Jeep Cherokee's(or as a towing option) in the UK.

Not sure but I thing pre IRS jags used the 44 as well and I assume it was these that were fitted to Mk 1/2 Escort rally cars as an upgrade( but Known as Salisbury).

[RangeyRover]

As Ford seems to really like these axles, and the question still bugs me even though I have a set of merc g axles to go under my rover, what the F is under a twin wheel tranny rear axles, cos it looks like a 60 cover to me...

[martinhollings]

my old jeep grand cherokee had one and the diffs are very expensive and dont last any thing like land rover ones but it did have LSD in the rear but these still ware

[nicks90]

The Salisbury axle as fitted to LWB land rovers, LDV sherpa/Convoy is the same as a Dana 60.

salisbury axle is NOT the same as a dana 60.

shafts are nowhere near as thick, centre gears are therefore also different (smaller). The only real commonality is that the gear set has 'Dana' stamped on them.

And from being a geek and reading too much pirate4x4 there are lots of different flavours of D44 and D60. Some D60's are utter tripe and weaker than a d44, some d44 are weaker than a standard LR axle (if thats even possible ) and some D60's are stronger than the immense D70 and D80 axles - but in a more sensible track width. Spline count, knuckle design, CV design etc etc etc

All depends who they were made for and for what purpose.

its a minefield and if you want Dana axles, seriously recommend you get comfy for a few evenings with some beer and munchies and spend many many hours reading up on pirate.

[plasticbadger]

Further Nick's post above, I've done a fair amount of research on Dana stuff, mainly because I originally wanted to use them on my first axle swap project (later went for Toyota axles) and also I run them on our work's F350;

As a rule of thumb with the Dana range of axles the higher the number the better potential for strength, but as Nick said not always the case. The more slpines the better, also fully floating is better than semi-float or non floating. The 'best' axles seem to be from the late '70's and early '80's full size pick ups, F series fords, K series Chevies and Jeep Wagoneers to name a few.

The americans refer to their trucks in tons, roughly as follows:

1/4 ton covers cherokees, toyotas etc, or 'mini trucks' in yank speak. In Dana terms you'd be thinking 30s or 35s. Ford 8" too. Generally held in the same high regard as Landrover's offerings!!

1/2 ton smallest of the 'full size' trucks (normally badged '150' or '1500' or Blazers, Broncos, Wagoneers etc.). These will normally have Dana 44s, Ford 9" and so-on

3/4 ton - mid range full size trucks (badged as '250' or '2500' and some Suburbans). These could have Dana 44 front, Dana 60 rear, or Corperate 10 bolts, or both Dana 60.

1 ton - largest of the conventional trucks (badged as '350', '3500' or 'HD'). These will normally run Dana 60, 70 or even 80, with other options being Corp 14 bolt and AAM.

Some sources for info would be Randy's Ring and Pinion, solid axle, and you can even buy locker equipt Dana 44s from Mopar.

[zim]

cheers for the replies so far

G

[Bush65]

As Ford seems to really like these axles, and the question still bugs me even though I have a set of merc g axles to go under my rover, what the F is under a twin wheel tranny rear axles, cos it looks like a 60 cover to me...

Merc g axles are reverse rotation, are they not?

If so how do you get around this in a rover?

[plasticbadger]

More of a related question than an on-topic answer, but am I right in thinking that the 'Salisbury' axles used in Capris, Transits, LDV etc and of course Landrover was designed by Dana Coperation, but built by Salisbury Engineering. That I think is why they look like a Dana 60, but nothing actually is straight transferable.

Does anybody know if the Salisburys used in Series/110 etc. are the same as used in Transit, Capri, or Jensen? As all of those came with Salisbury's plate type LSD which would be a cheap and simple upgrade.

[andyb]

Merc g axles are reverse rotation, are they not?

Only the front diff counter rotates

If so how do you get around this in a rover?

G xfer box is divorced so using that is a do-able option but you can flip the front diff. You will need to re-jig the diff lock mechanism as well. DirtyDiesel is your resident expert on this subject

[RangeyRover]

G xfer box is divorced so using that is a do-able option but you can flip the front diff. You will need to re-jig the diff lock mechanism as well. DirtyDiesel is your resident expert on this subject

Ahem, the axles were, I believe built by dirty diesel some time ago for someone else, but have ended up in my mitts. All of the adaptation for rovers have been done including wheelspacer adaptors and adaptors for propshafts. Also, I think that later g wagons do not have counter rotating diffs, so the problem dissappears with younger axles. Mine were flipped, and the front has a wrecked pinion bearing, from oil starvation I think. Some work to do yet, as the spring mount is higher on the g due to narrrower track so my chassis spring perch needs moving up.

[dirtydiesel]

Ahem, the axles were, I believe built by dirty diesel some time ago for someone else, but have ended up in my mitts. All of the adaptation for rovers have been done including wheelspacer adaptors and adaptors for propshafts. Also, I think that later g wagons do not have counter rotating diffs, so the problem dissappears with younger axles. Mine were flipped, and the front has a wrecked pinion bearing, from oil starvation I think. Some work to do yet, as the spring mount is higher on the g due to narrrower track so my chassis spring perch needs moving up.

463 mercs have conventionaly rotating front axles, they also have about a 60mm wider track negating the need for odd shaped spring seats.

G wagon axles an 8" dia ring gear but they are true hypoid design and use a reverse cut front gear set, but in most of the ratios the ring gear is over 2" thick and the diff center is an engineering masterpiece, they use 28 spline 31mm od shafts.

I think your axles are some i did about 4 years ago for an orange disco? i would imagine the pinion bearing failure is down the last owner only filling it to the level plug in the diff pan which due to the diff being upside down is at a lower level than it should be, i would have told him to fill it from the top with the recomended amount of oil (but on reflection the bloke was a bit of an "Person Resembling a Pink Starfish" so probably ignored me)

[RangeyRover]

463 mercs have conventionaly rotating front axles, they also have about a 60mm wider track negating the need for odd shaped spring seats.

G wagon axles an 8" dia ring gear but they are true hypoid design and use a reverse cut front gear set, but in most of the ratios the ring gear is over 2" thick and the diff center is an engineering masterpiece, they use 28 spline 31mm od shafts.

I think your axles are some i did about 4 years ago for an orange disco? i would imagine the pinion bearing failure is down the last owner only filling it to the level plug in the diff pan which due to the diff being upside down is at a lower level than it should be, i would have told him to fill it from the top with the recomended amount of oil (but on reflection the bloke was a bit of an "Person Resembling a Pink Starfish" so probably ignored me)

Thanks, and yes they did come from an orange disco.

Very interesting about the 463 axles, I'm surprised that many others have not used them under rovers. Maybe the expense?

I suspected oil starvation cos pinion bearings dont normally destroy themselves.

I was going to overfill, but considering what you have said maybe I just need to fill it properly.

Ill let you know. I've had them a year and not managed to get them under the thing.

Love this ad on ebay by the way for a set g axles

RR

[andyb]

Love this ad on ebay by the way for a set g axles

They look like they are devoid of innards......well halfshafts and hubs at least. Hard to say if there is anything else (other than radius arms) lurking in the shadows.

Nice find if looking for spares.

[SOA 93]

salisbury axle is NOT the same as a dana 60.

shafts are nowhere near as thick, centre gears are therefore also different (smaller). The only real commonality is that the gear set has 'Dana' stamped on them.

And from being a geek and reading too much pirate4x4 there are lots of different flavours of D44 and D60. Some D60's are utter tripe and weaker than a d44, some d44 are weaker than a standard LR axle (if thats even possible ) and some D60's are stronger than the immense D70 and D80 axles - but in a more sensible track width. Spline count, knuckle design, CV design etc etc etc

All depends who they were made for and for what purpose.

its a minefield and if you want Dana axles, seriously recommend you get comfy for a few evenings with some beer and munchies and spend many many hours reading up on pirate.

The Salisbury axle IS the same as a D60, just like ZF 4HP22, LT77, R380's and RV8's are used in many different vehicles, they are still the same gearbox/engine saying they are NOT is misleading.

CIPX2 had already posted the diference between the axles very well in my view so I din't feel the need to go into it any further.

Zim had already stated that he wasn't after new axles, just wanted some info.

If you look into a detroit/ARB catalogue very few D60 axles came from the factory with 35 spline, same with D44 and 33 spline. Quite a few D60's are no stronger than a LR Salisbury.

In the States and Oz 35 spline conversions are available for the Landrover Salisbury.

FC101 Salisbury's shafts, although 22 spline, they are just a shade thinner than 35 spline.

I've had a set of shafts made for 101 axles with 35 spline inners so I can fit 35 spline ARB's in the axles.

Most of that information would suggest they are the same axle.

Alot if not most D60's have a cast iron centre where as Salisbury's are steel at least on LR anyway.

However, I think your sentiments are, all D44,D60 and Salisbury's are not equal, and for that I completely agree.

[Daan]

Love this ad on ebay by the way for a set g axles

RR

QUOTE: Could also be used for anchoring a boat or weighing down bodies when disposing of them offshore

A more general comment when it comes to the weight of them.....

[dirtydiesel]

QUOTE: Could also be used for anchoring a boat or weighing down bodies when disposing of them offshore

A more general comment when it comes to the weight of them.....

II think that G wagon axles are lighter than rover axles, the rear is certainly a lot lighter.

[Bush65]

Thanks for the info on g wagon axles.