Is there a way to determine if an axle is a Dana without the tag on it?I don't really know what else to look for.How would I figure out the gear ratio also.Thanks

 

Front or rear? a d44 will have hubs that measure about 3" across (unless they have big bolts, then they will be about 4") and a D60 will have hubs 4" across. A dana rear end willl normally have a 60, or a 70 cast into it in several locations, namely on the right rear lower web, visible from the back side, and on the top of the pumpkin.

 

sorry,I forgot that......the rear axle is the one that I'm talking about

 

9" axles have no inspection cover, instead it is smooth with the infamous 9" hump down the center.

All Dana axles that were available under your truck will have an inspection cover, and they will have 10 bolts holding them on. The difference between the 44, and the 60, is the size. The smaller axle, Dana 44 will have fasteners that require a 1/2" wrench to remove, and the larger D60 will have fasteners that require a 9/16" wrench to remove. Unless someone has changed the axles, if you have a 1/2 ton truck with an inspection cover and a 5 lug bolt pattern, you wil have a dana 44 axle.
Same lug pattern and no inspection cover, chances are it is a 9".
8 lugs more than likely a D60 or D61 out back, maybe a 70.
You can also verify the axle and ratio that the truck was born with by the axle codes on the door jamb of the truck. This is only accurate if the truck is stock.

You did not mention whether or not this truck is a half ton, or 3/4 ton truck, or whether you believe it has been modified. Without the tag, chances are someone has opened up the axle, so to be absolutely sure of the gear ratio, it will be best to open the diffs up, and count the teeth on the ring and pinion.

 

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana60.htm

 

Its a 1/2 ton.Its coming out of a 79 bronco and I want to put it in my 79 150.Please excuse this silly question as I have NO mechanical ability.......is the inspection cover on the back or the u-joint side? this is the rear axle.The housing that the u-joint connects to the axle has 10 bolts.I know i'm being crazy but I want a Dana 44 in the rear of my truck.The tag looks as if it were broke off by normal wear and tear.After finding this site and doing some checking,it turns out that my rear axle come out of a 74 van.Thanks for your paitence

 

The van axle would be a dana. The bronco axle is the 9".
The inspection cover is on the rear (not where the u-joint is).
Dennis left you a very good link with plenty of pictures to help identify.
Also, I believe that dana axle from the van has an offset differential.

Have you any pics? We can identify it for you in a matter of minutes.

 

Jack it up and Turn the input and count how many rotations to one rotation on the wheel!! That will get you close to the ratio!! example 3 and a 3/4 turn = 3:73 4 turns plus a couple of degrees would be 4:10 ratio!!

 

I did not catch the gear ratio part. Mark a point of reference on the tire, turn the driveshaft 10 times. Count how many times your point of reference comes back around, and take note where it stops. If the tire turns three and a half times, you have 3.50 gears, a little over four times, 4.10, four and a half times, 4.56, and so on and so forth. Practice it on an axle you know what ratio it has, so you know exactly what to expect. On an open diff, you need to stop one wheel from turning for best results.

 

out of a bronco, its a 9". as good or better than the 44 of that era. with as many buildup options.
looking at it from the rear, can u see a cover plate with 10 bolts? or a smooth surface?
are u certain the current axle was out of a van? im sure the offset is different as well as the overall width. the van being wider. possible different shock mounts also.

 

van frames are wider than trucks and broncos
spring perch and shock mounts are differant
will take a good welder to make it work

 

A while back,I gave million the numbers off of the axle and he said it was from a 74 van.If the 9" is just as good then I don't have nothing to worry about right?I was thinking that it should have matching axles,but I did not know that the 9" was that good.Thanks for your posts they are very helpful...

 

most 1/2 tons came with 9" rear and 44 front.
id say the 9" stock is stronger, than the 44.
in fact ur 79 should have had a 9" originally