Ring and pinion gear question dana 44

[prager]

Hello all, I have a dana 44 in the 62 Lark with 3:31 gears. Fairborn flanged axles, and a lock right locker. Same factory carrier open type.. I would like to change to a 3:73. Can this be done with just the ring and pinion change? I had heard something about different carriers and so on.. If a guy could just change the gears that's fine by me..Do you have to re shim for proper end play, or should that still be fine with just the gear change over? Thanks!!

[sweetolbob]

My limited knowledge says that a 3.73 is the max that your carrier can handle. If you change R&P than you will need to re shim as each R&P from a major manufacture is a matched set. I know that is what I ran into when I went from 2.78 open to 4.10 posi. I had to change the carrier anyway so no problem.

Bob

[prager]

Thanks Bob! I was hoping that just changing the gears would work..Setting the end play all over again is kinda time consuming, but what are you gonna do? Thanks again!!

[okc63avanti]

Hello all, I have a dana 44 in the 62 Lark with 3:31 gears. Fairborn flanged axles, and a lock right locker. Same factory carrier open type.. I would like to change to a 3:73. Can this be done with just the ring and pinion change? I had heard something about different carriers and so on.. If a guy could just change the gears that's fine by me..Do you have to re shim for proper end play, or should that still be fine with just the gear change over? Thanks!!

You mentioned a lock right locker, is that a posi-trac unit? I'm putting a Tremec TKO 5 speed behind my Avanti (with R2+ set up) and my original rear end is a 3:31 ratio standard differential. I would like to change it to a 3:73 ratio with posi-trac (Studebaker called Twin Traction). Anyone try one of the posi-trac units made for a Dana 44 with 19 spline (Auburn Gear, Richmond Gear, etc.)

[prager]

John, it's a true locker. Wheels are locked full time, until you go into a curve or sharp turn. The unit ratchets, to allow the rear wheels to turn at different rates to make the curve. It is a little noisy...click click click around a sharp turn..but I don't care..lets me know it's working. Google richmond gear for all the details. 19 spline...I think so...I went with Fairborn axles, but I believe they are 19. So far I'm pretty happy with it all except my 3:31 ratio..I'm going to bump it to 3:73 when I find a set.

[okc63avanti]

Richmond gear has a Posi-traction unit called a PowerTrax. I e-mailed them and they have discontinued the 19 spline unit for the Dana 44. Auburn Gear has a unit called The High Performance Limited Slip Posi-traction unit.

Here's web link:

http://nationaldrivetrain.com/shopsi...posi_high.html

[sweetolbob]

John

I have the Auburn pro series in my 83. My Dana 44 is a 30 spline with 4.10 gears. It hooks up well but remember my engine is a performance SBC normally aspirated while I think Pragers is a blown monster.

http://nationaldrivetrain.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/auburn_pro_dana.html

P.S. no noise that I can hear.

Bob