92 Firehawk Dana44 ...questions within
#1
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Car: '89 IROC-Z
Engine: Canfield 195 headed 358ci
Transmission: TH350, Art Carr 9.5"
Axle/Gears: 3.92 Dana 44
92 Firehawk Dana44 ...questions within
A friend offered to sell me a 3.92 posi disc Dana 44 out of a 1992 Firehawk for $750. I totally trust that hes not trying to sell me junk so I'm considering this (what appears to be) good deal.
Exactly how strong are these rears? I really don't know anything about them whatsoever. Are there any downsides? Also is $750 a good price for one?
If I'm buying this rear I want to be COMPLETELY confident I'm not going to break it. I know Dana44's are strong but how are they compared to 12-bolts or a 9"?
Exactly how strong are these rears? I really don't know anything about them whatsoever. Are there any downsides? Also is $750 a good price for one?
If I'm buying this rear I want to be COMPLETELY confident I'm not going to break it. I know Dana44's are strong but how are they compared to 12-bolts or a 9"?
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Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
They've got an 8.5" ring gear so they're pretty strong. It's probably worth more like $1200 too. I doubt it's from a 92 Firehawk though.
Last edited by Apeiron; 11-27-2002 at 07:19 PM.
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Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
As mentioned already they have a 8.5" ring gear. That's comparable to the older 10 bolts in the first and second gens. Not quite as strong as a 12 bolt os a 9" but still more than strong enough for any street car.
They axles are bolted in like a 9" so c-clips are not used.
Gear selections are pretty good since many 4x4's use a Dana 44 as a front diff.
They axles are bolted in like a 9" so c-clips are not used.
Gear selections are pretty good since many 4x4's use a Dana 44 as a front diff.
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Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Originally posted by Stephen 87 IROC
Gear selections are pretty good since many 4x4's use a Dana 44 as a front diff.
Gear selections are pretty good since many 4x4's use a Dana 44 as a front diff.
#6
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The Dana 44 is a popular rear diff for off-roaders. Dana 35C is what is commonly used in the front.
Makes me wonder though about the 3.92 gears. Is it really out of a Firehawk? As stated above, they didn't come with 3.92 gears....
Makes me wonder though about the 3.92 gears. Is it really out of a Firehawk? As stated above, they didn't come with 3.92 gears....
#7
Originally posted by Apeiron
Gears for the front differential are cut differently from the rears though.
Gears for the front differential are cut differently from the rears though.
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#8
Originally posted by iroc22
The Dana 44 is a popular rear diff for off-roaders. Dana 35C is what is commonly used in the front.
The Dana 44 is a popular rear diff for off-roaders. Dana 35C is what is commonly used in the front.
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Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Originally posted by PonchoDoc
No they are not. The only exception is for a high pinion 44, but thos are the minority of front 44's.
No they are not. The only exception is for a high pinion 44, but thos are the minority of front 44's.
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Car: '89 IROC-Z
Engine: Canfield 195 headed 358ci
Transmission: TH350, Art Carr 9.5"
Axle/Gears: 3.92 Dana 44
Originally posted by iroc22
Makes me wonder though about the 3.92 gears. Is it really out of a Firehawk? As stated above, they didn't come with 3.92 gears....
Makes me wonder though about the 3.92 gears. Is it really out of a Firehawk? As stated above, they didn't come with 3.92 gears....
I'm going to buy it tomorrow.
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I would just make sure that it has the correct suspension moutning points for a thirdgen on it before you do. If it was out of something else, it will probably be setup for a different type of suspension.
Ben
Ben
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Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Originally posted by 88IROC350TPI
Couldn't you buy these rears from GM years ago?
Couldn't you buy these rears from GM years ago?
#13
Originally posted by Apeiron
Most aftermarket gears for the front differential are reverse cut for strength.
Most aftermarket gears for the front differential are reverse cut for strength.
No, they are not. The high pinion axles are the only ones that can run the rr gears. A regular dana 44 will not accept those gears whether its in the front or rear. Most dana 44's are not high pinion, yes ford has some high pinion 44's but chevy(GM) never has even offered a high pinion 44.
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Car: 1989 Iroc-Z
Engine: 350, ZZ4 equivalent
Transmission: Pro-Built Road Race 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Dana 44
Is there anyway to get ahold of a dana 44 now? I know it would have to be used but does anyone every sell these things
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Car: 1986 Sport Coupé
Engine: 305-4v
Transmission: 700R4 and TransGo2
Originally posted by 89 Iroc Z
Is there anyway to get ahold of a dana 44 now? I know it would have to be used but does anyone every sell these things
Is there anyway to get ahold of a dana 44 now? I know it would have to be used but does anyone every sell these things
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The rearends themselves have been discontinued from GM, however, GM still sells new Ring & Pinion sets. You can find them in your copy of GM Performance Parts. They have 3.31, 3.92, and 4.09 ratios.
#17
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Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Although GM doesn't sell the third gen Dana 44 diff any more you might be able to still buy one from SLP. The cost is about the same as a 9" or 12 bolt.
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Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Originally posted by PonchoDoc
[BNo, they are not. The high pinion axles are the only ones that can run the rr gears. A regular dana 44 will not accept those gears whether its in the front or rear. Most dana 44's are not high pinion, yes ford has some high pinion 44's but chevy(GM) never has even offered a high pinion 44. [/B]
[BNo, they are not. The high pinion axles are the only ones that can run the rr gears. A regular dana 44 will not accept those gears whether its in the front or rear. Most dana 44's are not high pinion, yes ford has some high pinion 44's but chevy(GM) never has even offered a high pinion 44. [/B]
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 Crate Motor
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.73
Summit used to sell the Dana 44 Thirdgen assembly for $1440.
I saw one at a swap meet last month for $450.
-Rich-
I saw one at a swap meet last month for $450.
-Rich-
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 Crate Motor
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.73
Originally posted by 89 Iroc Z
were are these swap meets at. I hear people talk about them all the time.
were are these swap meets at. I hear people talk about them all the time.
http://www.driveonline.com/html/all_event_listings.html
It's getting cold out now, though, so might not be much going on until spring (unless you're in California).
-Rich-
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