Need Dana 44 gear info please??

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May 7, 2016 | 10:27 AM

Ryhnoz60vette

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 889

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From: Fort Worth Texas

Need Dana 44 gear info please??

Hi, my question is will stock Original 3.45:1 gears out a 96 CE 6-speed fit in my 1986 z51 coupe with a 6 speed and origional Dana 44? I want to upgrade my gears from the factory 3.07 to mate with my zf 6 speed swap I recently did. I'll just be buying the gears from a forum member not the whole chunk. Thanks for your help and information.

May 7, 2016 | 12:38 PM

WVZR-1

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2003

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Blessed86vette

If you have a D44 now you will have no issues. If you're buying a bearing/seal install kit for the build I'd suggest you buy a pair of the small pinion thrust washers in the differential. The '96 D44 is a "crush-sleeve" build and your earlier is likely a "shimmed" pinion but aside from that you'll be good. There's usually a 2 3/4 sleeve included with the bearing kits. Make sure you get the sleeve.

Your '86 was an original 4+ I'm assuming.

13338-3 Spicer for the washers or GM# 15577321

Last edited by WVZR-1; May 7, 2016 at 01:03 PM.

May 7, 2016 | 03:45 PM

Ryhnoz60vette

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 889

Likes: 24

From: Fort Worth Texas

Yes my 86 is a z51 4+3 origional car. I swapped in a black tag from a 1989 corvette. Thanks so much for the info on the rebuild kit also, I didn't know that.

May 12, 2016 | 08:25 AM

C4vettrn

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,014

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From: Ft Wayne IN

Dave i.e. WVZR-1 knows his vette rear ends and will give great advise. I you go with the crush sleeve buy a couple extra

been there done that

Also make a some setup bearings it will save a lot of time in the long run.

Last edited by C4vettrn; May 12, 2016 at 08:27 AM.

May 12, 2016 | 10:09 AM

Ryhnoz60vette

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 889

Likes: 24

From: Fort Worth Texas

Where's the best place to buy the Dana 44 seal/ bearing rebuild kit I need when I swap out the gears?

May 12, 2016 | 12:09 PM

rklessdriver

Safety Car

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 3,624

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From: Dale City VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blessed86vette

Where's the best place to buy the Dana 44 seal/ bearing rebuild kit I need when I swap out the gears?

Randy's Ring and Pinion

https://www.ringpinion.com/

Or Toms Differential.

http://tomsdifferentials.com/

Will

Last edited by rklessdriver; May 12, 2016 at 12:11 PM.

May 12, 2016 | 03:14 PM

Kevova

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 6,192

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From: near the thumb in the mitten

To reduce chances of noise: If possible you will what to set gear up same as original. Hopefully seller can provide original backlash number. Pinion shim number maybe helpful but every housing can be a little different it should be close. You still would want to measure pinion depth if you have access to tools.