I have a lead on a carrier and 3:5somthing gearset (3:53 I think he said) from a Dana 44 and was wondering if this would swap out with the current gears and carrier in the axle in my 51? The current gearset is original (392) and I understand that you have to change the carrier when you want to go to gears around 3:50. What I have no clue about is how interchangeable all the "stuff" inside really is. Will the spider gears from my old carrier swap onto the new (since I have no idea what the spline count is on the new ones)? Are the bearings the same? More dumb questions than you can count!!!

Where can I look this stuff up? My truck manual is good but only covers the stock setup.

Is this worth the hassle (gearset & carrier is potentially cheap)?

Should I just change out the whole rear end (lots of data on that on this forum already) and forget it?

I have a mechanic friend who said he'd check my set up before I burn up a "new" gearset but he's not very helpful about this parts interchange stuff as his manuals don't go back to 51!

As always any thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated and yes I know this wouldn't be an issue if I'd just drop in a new motor and automatic etc etc etc. I guess I just like straddling the dark-side light-side fence. Plus...I'm cheap and nearly free is a good thing!!!


Flatheads forever - keep em running!

 

OilLeaks,
My D44 experience comes from jeeps, so I am not sure if this is the same for your 51. I am familiar with being cheap (as in having no money), and have run used ring and pinions. The closer to running the same as before the less likely they are to howl. The pain with D44's is that the mesh is set by shim packs behind the carrier bearings which are pressed on the carrier. To change the shims the bearings have to come back off. I have not had much good luck removing the bearing without destroying them. Maybe you'll be lucky and it'll be right on the first time, or possibly your buddy has a better puller than I've got.
Can you get the entire axle assembly cheap?
Adios,
Brett