I need some confermation here...
54 F100 truck has the Dana 44, is ring and pinion a 3.54 ratio?
also, is this Dana 44 also refered to as a Ford 8.8 ? or is the 8.8 a different animal?
AND, would a 3.73 be a more suitible ratio and fit in the stock 44 pumpkin?
thanks for the help, Ed

 

Mine is a Dana 44 in my 56. The VIN tag says its a 3.73 (I know odd). The rear end is definately different than my 8.8 in my 01 explorer.

I think there were several gear ratios available in the old trucks. You would either need to check the VIN, the tag on the rear end itself, or do the chalk test. I have no idea if the 3.45 was available in 54. Do you have the shop manual? My 56 ones shows what ratios were available in it.

 

Yea, I have a book...I'll look in it to see what the options were. I'll run to the cold...cold... garage and see if there is still a tag on the diff.
how does you 3.73 do on the hwy.? It should be the same as the late model Jeep wranglers with the 44's in the back...
And I had thought the 8.8 was different too, but just didnt know for sure.
My rear end did well when I was running the truck, but there is a little slop when I move it by hand...but it feels solid (how much slop is normal?).
I will be changing out the pinion seal(s) and was gonna look into the R&P while I had it apart.
I'll let you know about the tag in a while.

Ed

 

I have only driven mine around here locally. No long highway trips yet. With the Y-block, 3 speed, and 215/75/15s, I believe I am turning around 2500 RPM at 55. Thats just an estimate from a calculator a member sent me. The fastest I have had it is 60 (was legal!).

It seems ok to me. The PO put new seals and everything in it. Time will tell though. I hope to drive to the supernats this summer.

Someday, mine will get swapped for a 9", but thats all delayed for the supernats. I just want it safe and reliable for now.

On a side note: At least yours in in a cold, cold garage. My baby is out buried under the snow.

 

Hey Brian, Actually my garage wouldnt be cold if I turned the Nat-gas heater on...but I'm working 50 hrs. a week so Sat\Sunday are my garage days.
The tag was there...47\12....it's a 3.92 the other options were a 4.09 and 4.27.
I was looking at a 3.54 set real cheap but wont get it now.
How do the ratios work...the higher the ratio the more tire rotation I get-thus easier on the engine\trans to reach high speed at lower rpm's ???
so the 4.09 would be a little better set for normal driving but the 4.27 would be best at hwy. speed but suck for green light launches ???
I'm running 275\60\15's on the back.

 

I am certainly no expert here......

The higher the number, the numerically lower the gear ratio. The 4.27 is very low geared. It would be great for take off or pulling/towing, but not so good for highway cruising. The 3.92 seems to be the highest gear ratio available for your year. I think that will do you well out on the road.

My VIN tag says "3.73" right on it. The book shows the same as yours though. I wonder which is correct in my case? I have not crawled under to check the tag yet nor have I done the chalk test.

Notice in my first post it says: "I know odd"? Now you know why. :P

 

Thanks for the input Brian
I'll keep my eyes open for the 3.92 set now...Might run to Carpenter's if they have the whole shooting match (seals and all)

later, Ed