Numerical values? DANAS??

[junior3382]

Originally Posted by Hayden

I'd have to say it measures weight limit value.

44 = 3500 lbs
60 = 5500 lbs
70 = 7500 lbs
80 = 11000 lbs

could mean more also

where did you get that info? And if that was the case wouldn't it be 35= 3500lbs? not 44? I know when you are talking about certain cars like the BMW 525i, it means the 5 series body with the 2.5l Inline motor....... so hence why I guessed the numerical values of these axles, since they originated back in the day when numbers meant something, would actually hold a value of sorts.

I still have not found anything 75K30, how about you?

[junior3382]

Okay, I have surfed and surfed. Infact, my eyes kind of hurt, all I can find are suppliers and nonsense jeep forums..... I even tore apart the Dana Coorperation's webiste, but it seems they do not have an email address to ask them directly. Normally, i will let something go, but now I need to know. This was just stupid curiousity at first, i figured soeone would know right away, now I am determined to find this answer. If anyone knows where else I can look, let me know.

FYI, I tried the history of Dana from several articles, nothing
I tried wikipedea(sp)....... Nothing
I tried The Dana Coorperation.... Nothing
I tried Several random searches..... Nothing...


It is not like I need this information to survive. In then end, it really is not important. So do not take this wrong. I just assume due to when these came out, that the numbers have meaning, and there has to be a reasoning behind the sequence!

Nevermind the rambling, I am just mildly frustrated here....LOL.

[75K30]

I am afriad that weight rating answer is not true. The Dana 44 alone has several different weight ratings for diferent applications. The dana 44 was available in Jeeps, and 3/4 ton trucks alike. The 3/4 ton units were rated much higher than the units in the Jeep. This Dana 44 is also found under some cars. Very common to find a D44under a corvette, or even a Viper. These do not have a rating like the 3/4 ton truck yet it is still a D44.
The same is true for the other dana axles. The 60 has several weight ratings, and actually a Semi float D 60 rear is rather low on the old GAWR.

[72'CaminoKid]

all i've gotten so far is that its possibly just the higher the number the stronger. but i'm not so sure of that. i just have a hard time believeing they randomly picked numbers for each axle. theres got to be some sort of reference for each, it just wouldnt make sense for someone to pull 2 digits out of a hat and decide thats gonna be that axle designation

[Hayden]

I called DANA Spicer and asked about it. Some guy there said it was weight limit, ring sizes, housing sizes, and bearing sizes. He's the one that gave me those values so he must have not known what he was talking about then. the # is 1-419-866-3955 in case anyone else wants to get some more answers..I tried

[75K30]

Originally Posted by Hayden

I called DANA Spicer and asked about it. Some guy there said it was weight limit, ring sizes, housing sizes, and bearing sizes. He's the one that gave me those values so he must have not known what he was talking about then. the # is 1-419-866-3955 in case anyone else wants to get some more answers..I tried

A great effort Hayden. You actually called? Points given for the effort! Because I can't confirm either way, I can't say that this is 100% correct, not can I argue against it with any support.
I do know that the weight ratings vary so much that they are probably not having much to do with the number designation. Again as an example, the dana 44 under a Jeep, had a rating of 2200 lbs.
I am also sure that the spline count and ring gear size has nothing to do with it either. I believe this because a Dana 60 and dana 61 use the same ring gear diameter, but the gears will not interchange, but both use small 30 spline axles like a Dana 44, except that the larger dana 60/61 axles are of a full float design and not a semi float. Have seen coarse spline rear and front units that also do not support this theory.
The same confusion appears with the Dana 27, 28, and all 6 versions of the dana 30. Lets not forget the dana 36.

I was leaning towrds the relationship between the pinion and ring gear, and found a pattern that could support this but even this has some exceptions.
Starting to think that these could be a "series" type production number that might include an axle weight rating, and intended use.
Interesting topic, should have us scratching our heads for a while.

[junior3382]

You know, maybe it was like the preperation series... they released "H" but what happened to a-g? LOL. Maybe it is the series in order of invention. The Dana 44 was the 44th version for a specific purpose. started with the 27 right?

I only say this because from diggin online, I have found that realease dates kinda come in order.... the 28 after the 27, the 60 after the 44 and so on, it is not like the Dana 70 came before the 60. And as they progressed they grew.

Following this theory, perhaps the missing numbers are axles that failed. Did not meet required specs or safty requirements or something. I mean you never hear people brag about the Dana 49, but who is to say it never exisited? perhaps it was just canned before production.

Keeping the design of the 44 for several purposes over the years and not changing the name could make sense too. all use the same size housing right 75K30? i think so anyways.

using eachother here, we can pretty much determine what axle we may need for what purpose, I mean you wouldn't put a Dana 27 under an F450 turbo diesel, but at the same time, it would be overkill to put a Dana 70 under a pinto too. So perhaps just knowing the proper uses and applications is enough. However, I am sure somewhere there is more to this then my theory.

And it is just a theory, so do not quote me on this one...LOL

[Hayden]

it would be overkill to put a Dana 70 under a pinto too

Is there such a thing as over kill if you have the power and durability to use those axles

[mrjohnwayne]

over kill is an oxymoron.........

I would like to see a dana 70 or 80 or even a sterling 10.25 under a pinto though.

[junior3382]

HAHAHA, not what I meant though..... but you get it. I was talking about replacement parts, not nescesarily severe customization! LOL.......


and on a side note, wouldn't a Sterling 10.25 weigh out more then the Pinto itself? LOL