Wednesday, September 18, 2013
The Difference Between a Dana 44 a Dana 60
The Dana 44 and the Dana 60 are both automotive axles manufactured by the Dana Corporation. Axles are a standard component of any automobile. Axles used in a live-axle suspension system work to transmit driving torque to the wheel and to maintain the position of the wheels relative to each other.
Dana Axles
The Dana Corporation was incorporated in 1916 as Spicer Manufacturing Company. In the 1960s, Dana became one of the worlds largest independent suppliers of automotive components. It has manufactured axles for more than 50 years. The axles can be divided into three categories: light vehicle, commercial and off-highway. The company offers front and rear axles for cars and trucks, as well as four-wheel drive axles. Two of the companys most popular axles are the Dana 44 and the Dana 60.
The Dana 44
This axle has been used by automobile manufacturers and in the automotive aftermarket. It was first manufactured in the 1940s and is still manufactured today in both front and rear axle models. It has been manufactured as both an independent suspension and beam axle for both front and rear setups.
More than a dozen auto manufacturers have had vehicles with Dana 44 axles, including Jeep, which today manufactures four-wheel drive vehicles with both front and rear Dana 44 axles. The axle has a gross weight rating up to 3,500 pounds and is a semi-floating type in that it has one bearing at the end of the axle shaft that carries the vehicles weight on the axle and that also allows the axle to rotate.
The Dana 44 independent rear suspension, or IRS, axle has been used in Chevrolet Corvettes and Dodge Vipers. It is referred to as the Dana 44 ICA or Dana 44 IRS. Some of the 1985 to 1996 Corvette C4s had this axle, and the Dodge Viper has always had a Dana 44 IRS setup.
The Dana 60
These axles are used primarily in OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, heavy-duty pickup applications by Ford, Dodge, Chrysler and Chevrolet. There are four-wheel drive front steering versions and front and rear axle versions. In fact, Ford still uses the front axle Dana 60. The Dana 60 rear axle generally weighs 500 pounds and is manufactured in both semi-float and full-float versions. The semi-float axles were often rated up to 5,500 pounds and the full-float versions were rated up to 6,500 pounds.
The Dana 60 is manufactured in both Ball join and Kingpin variations, "standard" and "reverse cut" rotation variations and as limited-slip and open variations. The housing material is ductile iron. The Dana 60 axles used by GM and Ford have locking hubs. Dana 60 axles also have a good deal of third-party/aftermarket support that includes many upgrades. It is available with stronger axle shafts, ball joints and universal joints, along with a wide selection of traction control devices such as limited slip differentials and locking differentials.
Primary Differences Between the Dana 44 and the Dana 60
Dana 44 front axles have been used primarily in lighter vehicles, including Jeeps. They have also been used in Dodge trucks, Ford trucks, the Nissan Titan and the Isuzu Rodeo. Dana 44 axles are know for utilizing locking hubs or a center axle disconnect system. In comparison, the Dana 60 front axle has been used principally in vehicles such as Dodge 1-ton pickups and Ford F250, 350 and 450 pickups. However, the rear axle Dana 60 was used in Dodge Coronets and Chargers, Plymouth Belvedere and Road Runners, Ford 3/4-ton trucks and Chevrolet and GMX 3/4- and 1-ton pickups and vans. Additionally, the Dana 60 has been sold in large numbers as an aftermarket or third-party product.
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