Dana 44 axle housing for '72 cj5

Was wondering if there is any place I can find an axle housing, dana 44, narrow track for my '72. Not worried about gears, my 3.73's are still good, and so are the shafts, but the housing is so rusted from sitting, that gear lube is oozing from the tubes. Looks just like sweat beads coming from the thin tubes. My mechanic, since gearing and such is not my thing, has been trying to locate a unit, but strikes out. Just need a "good" housing to get her back up to snuff. Limped through the Pennswoods Jeep Jamboree with it, but don't trust it to be safe on the road. Any leads from you folks would be great. Need it with back plates for brakes, etc., since it is bone stock. Haven't seen anything on any sites to be able to purchase one. Local salvage yards here in PA and NY are not carrying anything of this vintage.

 

First thing I'd do is put an ad in the classifieds section. May be one close by someone has laying around. If no luck there then look at the "Where to buy parts" or something similar sticky at the top of the section. May be under the early CJ forum heading.

Edit:
Just looked and it's a sticky "Where to find parts" in the Early CJ forum section at the top. I'd still try an ad in the classifieds first though.

 

go postal...in the wrecking yards.

 

I just bought a used set of axles from a guy 1 state over (Conn.).

A dana 30 front, and a dana 44 rear (3.73's). Definitely a matched set, the seller said.

I got them home, and decided to pull the cover off of the d-30, to check the gear ratio (The cover was off of the d-44, when I arrived at the sellers' place).

Wouldn't you know it...the d-30 has 3.54 gears!!!

I called him up, instantly, to let him know. He apologized profusely, and offered to give me back some money for the d-30.

To drive an hour and a half each way, wasn't worth it, to me, so, I'm going to use the d-30.

I bought an AMC 20 with 3.54's to go with it.

Long story short, I will sell the d-44 (narrow track CJ) for $225.00, which is exactly what I paid for it.

The only thing modified about it is that a PO ran it spring over axle, so the perches will have to be put back ( if desired).

I don't want to ship it, though.

Rich

 

Thought I had a lead on a postal rear, but turned out to be a 44 out of a cj7. Dude in the salvage yard wasn't aware. Useless to me. Currie industries will make new tubes for me, but the labor to re-fit will be pricey. My mechanic has done this on his '72 and his '73. He is a friend and is straight forward with me.

I would be interested in your d-44 Rich, but without shipping...I'm sol...

 

I have a good 44 housing siting in my garage. It will have to have the spring perches put back to stock. Its currently set up for 4.5" lift SUA with 2.5" springs. No gears or breaks. You can have it but I have no idea what the shipping cost on it would be from Dallas, TX

This is the original housing out of my '72. I had Currie custom make me a wide track 44 housing and swapped my gears and etc. over too it.

 

Check Craigslist daily.

 

Thanks hudsonhawk...let me get back to you this week. My mechanic is at 4WD Hardware's Jeep show this weekend in Ohio. I'll touch base with him, then let you know...

Steve

 

Well...I've driven to PA several times to pick up jeep parts. I guess it all depends on how badly someone wants something....

Rich

 

Wouldn't mind the drive, but I own 2 funeral homes, and I've been busy...not really a predictable schedule for me to "just cut out of work..." if you understand what I mean...shipping cost means nothing to me compared to what I stand to lose....

 

Watch out for Postal rear 44's. I know of 3 different versions and all narrower than the '72-'75 CJ version and all with different axle shaft lengths. May be others and may be some the right width. All the ones I've seen were narrower though.

 

About 1 1/4" narrower by the one I have on the floor.

 

I've got one. Just a bare housing and some parts including a cover. I t hink I've also got a carrier with 3.73's and a thrashed lunchbox locker, you'd need side gears or a new locker for it. 08848. PM me if you are interested.

 

I've got a set from my 74. D30 & D44 rear. The D30 has new ball joints. Both are bare axles. The backing plates are on the rear. They do need new perches. Stock ones were cut off for spring over but never used. If interested e-mail me kdx250@juno.com

 

Thanks guys, really appreciate all the help here. I'll will be in contact with one of ya tomorrow.

This is the last "untouched" component on the rig. I have less than 500 miles on new engine rebuild, t15 was rebuilt, rebuilt dana20 with twin sticks, front d30 was completely overhauled, frame straightened and welded, all rewired....but its cool....still done better in the last 3 years on the cj than on my 1930 Marquette. Took me 15 years to get it running...but it's fun!!

 

let me know how you make out, I have a 44 that I was just going to take out the axels for trail spares. I will be heading out to Rausch creek in a couple of weeks. How far are you from Rausch?

 

there is one in eastern PA on CL. Check Allentown listings, along with a completel 900$ 1974 with no title I saw about a week ago. I can help with links.