| Dana 44 gears are the internal components in a Dana | | | | A lower ratio number means that fewer rotations of |
| 44 differential. They are generally comprised of ring | | | | the pinion are required to rotate the ring gear. |
| and pinion gears, side gears, and spider gears. In the | | | | Conversely, a higher ratio number means that more |
| event that a locker or limited slip is installed, then the | | | | rotations of the pinion are required to rotate the ring |
| side gears and spider gears will be absent. | | | | gear. Unless the vehicle is turning (ie: steering through |
| Dana 44 gears are available in many ratios ranging | | | | a corner), then each rotation of the ring gear will |
| from 2.87 to 5.89. What do these numbers mean and | | | | equal one rotation of the tires. This is useful |
| how are they calculated? They are simply a | | | | knowledge when understanding your vehicle's |
| mathematical ratio of pinion gear rotations for each | | | | performance and how to use a Dana 44 ring and |
| rotation of the ring gear. For example, take a popular | | | | pinion ratio to your advantage. If your vehicle will be |
| Dana 44 gear ratio of 4.09. This means that the | | | | used primarily in high-speed or long-distance driving, |
| pinion gear must rotate 4.09 times in order to rotate | | | | then a numerically low gear ratio may be ideal |
| the ring gear one time. How is that gear ratio figured | | | | because this means the engine will have to turn |
| out? Easy. Take the number of teeth on the ring | | | | fewer RPM's to get the tires through each rotation. |
| gear and divide it by the number of teeth on the | | | | However, if your vehicle will be used in conditions |
| pinion gear. In this instance of a Dana 44 4.09 gear | | | | where slow movement is optimal (namely off-road or |
| ratio, there will be 45 teeth on the ring gear and 11 | | | | rock crawling), then a numerically high gear ratio may |
| teeth on the pinion gear. 45 divided by 11 equals 4.09 | | | | be ideal because this means the engine will never be |
| (45/11=4.09) and thus you have a 4.09 ratio. | | | | strained by low RPM's. |
| As stated, the Dana 44 has a variety of gear ratios. | | | | |