Do the 3rd gen Dana 44's use c-clip axles or bolt in axles?
Are the axle bearings straight or tapered?
Were all of them posi's?
Did the diff use a 2 pinion or 4 pinion design, clutch or cone style engagement?
Have any of you guys ever killed one and how much power did it take?
Do any of you want to sell me one or trade me one for a complete Vortec TPI setup with SLP runners and LT1 injectors, MAF, Harness etc. etc.?????????
Thanks, Draino

 

First of all the Dana 44 was never a production diff. It was available from the GM Performance Parts Catalog and came in the SLP Firehawks. SLP may still have a few for sale but they cost close to the same as a Currie 9". If I was going to spend that much money on the diff I'd spend it on a 9" or a 12 bolt.

The Dana 44 is an 8.5" ring gear. I doubt any third gen can kill one unless it was severly abused.

The only question I can answer is that they are bolt in axles.

 

I'm looking for a used dana 44 because I probably won't make enough power to justify the necessity or cost of a 12 bolt or 9".
I have a 9 bolt but I am reluctant to spend $300 for gears and $100 for an overhaul kit when I could ideally get a used dana 44 and buy a used set of gears off of ebay.
Anybody else got anymore answers?

 

Good luck in looking for a used Dana 44. You will better off spending the money on the 9-bolt or you will not be using your car in the near future.

 

I'm not in any hurry. My car is in many pieces and everything is being redone, restored, or improved, so finding a dana 44 wont be a delay.

 

How about adapting a Corvette or Viper IRS DANA 44, now that would be worth it!

 

For the cost of one and the cost to adapt, probably not. Unless you're making some sort of show car and need to be different.

 

No dana 44's don't have C-clips, they are bolt in axles. I believe all dana 44 are posi.


I got a dana 44 for $500 plus $75 for shipping a week ago. So you can still find them used around.

Here is a pic, I have more I can email them to you if you like.

 

I considered the dana 44 IRS, and maybe down the line I may do it. Even with a live axle, 3rdgens have exceptional handling capabilities. 2 of my previous IROC's handled noticably better in stock form than my 01 WS6 did in stock form. In that I mean in grip and body lean. The 01 was more comfortable feeling. And I know of 2 local cars that have over 1g of grip with minimal suspension mods so don't count out the ol' solid axle rears. With all the spherical bushings I'm gonna be using a dana 44 wouldn't be able to improve ride quality anyways so I think the slight handling advantage when over irregular surfaces when turning would be worth the cost/hassle for right now anyways.

Hey 89, nice rear! LOL. I'm sure I'll find one eventually. If you come across another one for sale please let me know.
Dwain

 

now thats a nice rear end, highly doubtful that you will find one though

your better off to get a twelve bolt, since they are hard to fing, very hard====RARE

or you could get a regular dana 44 and modify it to fit a third gen........? weld on the perches, and find a way to bolt up a torque arm...?

 

I found 2 good prospects this weekend. There's a local guy who's got a 1LE and used to race it and he said his racing buddy who just passed away had one in his garage just before he died and was gonna put it in his SCCA TA. He's gonna talk to the widow this week and see what she'll take for it.

I found a camaro/firebird junkyard about 2 hours away so I drove up there saturday and talked to the guy. He said he's seen them before so he thinks he's probably got one and he's gonna check when some of the snow melts away and get back with me.

They're out there, you just gotta go do a little legwork to find them. I've heard of people getting them for $400-500 which is fair and I've heard of people paying $800-1100 for them which IMO is silly. If either of my 2 sources pan out I'll get one for $250-500 depending on which one comes thru for me. If I had $2300 to blow I'd buy a 12 bolt or better yet a 9" rear and be done with it. But unfortunately it's not what I want do, it's what I've gotta do; find a dana 44 or shell out the $500 in parts to build up my 9 bolt.
Well, I know that they used bolt in axles now, but nobody has answered my questions yet about the dana 44 posi's.
Where they a 2 pinon or 4 pinion design?
Did they use clutches like an auburn diff, cones like the 9 bolt, or were they a locker-type diff?
Draino

 

the dana's are very rare and finding one is really hard. Yes there are some out there but good luck finding them, highly seeked rear end. Comparing the Odds i would say you would have better luck finding a used 9" or a 12 bolt thats been modified for a 3rd gen then a dana 44. The average price of a dana 44 will go up as time goes, 12 bolt or 9" prices will go down.