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Flanged D44-tapered D44 Gear Swap

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by AMCJeeper, Jan 29, 2017.

  1. Jan 29, 2017
    AMCJeeper

    AMCJeeper Member

    Loveland, CO
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2004
    Messages:
    74
    Hi guys, I'm new to gear swapping and had a question that I haven really found the answer to after searching. So, I have a tapered D44 with 5.38 gears under my Jeep now and I just picked up a 1971 flanged D44 with 3.73 gears. I was wondering if it was possible to swap gear sets between the housings. I want to put the flanged rear under my Jeep with the 5.38s and I have a friend who said he would buy the tapered one if I could put the 3.73s in it, so win/win, but aside from having someone proprely set up the gears, what else would I need to do? Thank you!
     
  2. Jan 29, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Won't the splines on the side gears be the show stopper? I should add that there will be more involved than just a straight swap since the axle splines are different.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2017
  3. Jan 29, 2017
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
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    Your tapered axle has a series IV differential case with either 10 or more likely 19 splines.
    Your flanged offset axle has a series III differential either Trac Loc or open with 30 splines.
    So you need to get that sorted out.
    5.38 must use a series IV differential
    3.73 must use a series III differential
    Side gears (spline count) can possibly be swapped as required. But you cannot swap Trac Lok side gears with open differential side gears.

    I can sell you an open differential for cheap if you are interested.
    I can also supply you with " case set up bearings".
     
  4. Jan 29, 2017
    AMCJeeper

    AMCJeeper Member

    Loveland, CO
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2004
    Messages:
    74
    Thank you for your detailed reply. They are both open diffs. So if I understand correctly, I can't just swap the differential, gears and all from housing to housing? If that is possible, would I then just have to get new side gears to match the axle splines?
     
  5. Jan 30, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Maybe I can help ... there is a "case break" separating 3.73 and down numerically vs. 3.92 and up numerically for the 44. This is the series III and series IV that oldtime describes.

    So you need to use the case that is compatible with the gear ratio. You also have to match the spline count of the side gears to the axle shafts. So at a minimum, you would have to exchange the side gears from one case to the other for the "differential, gears and all" to go into the new housing. In addition to the usual setup...
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2017
  6. Jan 30, 2017
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Because they are both open it will be a much easier thing to comprehend.

    You can leave the ring gears on their respective differential cases.
    If you set the cases on end next to one another you will clearly be able to see the different case offsets.

    You must pull the side gears (AKA spiders) out and swap them from one case to the other.
    Side gear end play upon refitting must be within specification.

    Then simply refit differential case with its original ring gear into the other axle carrier housing.
    Note: the simple refit of case is actually a very complicated procedure.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2017
  7. Jan 31, 2017
    Mark Wahlster

    Mark Wahlster Member

    Silverton, OR
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2015
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    386
    You will also have to swap the Pinion gear and reset it up as well on both as the Ring and Pinion go together as a set.
     
  8. Feb 12, 2017
    AMCJeeper

    AMCJeeper Member

    Loveland, CO
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2004
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    74
    Thank you for all the replies. I think I have a good grasp on what needs to be done now. I also just picked up a series IV Powr Loc, so I'm going to throw that into the mix while I'm at it.
     
  9. Feb 12, 2017
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Aug 14, 2006
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    So the Powr Lok you picked up is a 30 spline unit ?
     
  10. Feb 19, 2017
    AMCJeeper

    AMCJeeper Member

    Loveland, CO
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2004
    Messages:
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    Yes, it is.
     
  11. Feb 19, 2017
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Great find !
    I wish I could find another one.
    Have not seen any of those available.... going on 3 years now.
     
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