My brother just bought a 47 1/2 ton with a stock Dana 44' it winds out at 55 mph. Are there gears available, as he wants to stay with the stock rear end but needs to go 65 daily? Any info appreciated!

 

Check out drivetrainspesialists.com for parts.

 

I could be wrong but the '47 half ton should have a banjo rear stock not a Dana 44. I think the Dana style started in '48. If I am right it may open up his choices some if his is already not stock.

 

I was told it was a Dana 44, but I could be wrong? Here are the letters/numbers on the rear end:

44-1 and 030384 in the casting, and the tag reads 41/11

Anyone give a positive ID? Thanks!

 

I think the 41/11 is the gear ratio. That would work out to be 3.73 which isn't too bad. The '48 would look very much like you would expect a Dana with a cover on the rear. The banjo rear has axle tubes that flare on the end and bolt onto the sides of center with the gears in it. Here is a pict I found on the web somewhere of a banjo in the foreground. It is setup for something different than a truck but the one in the truck would look very similar to this.

 

I have a '46 currently apart for paint and engine work. It has a 4 speed trany and a 3.73 rear. I would like to improve the ability to drive 65 whereas currently difficult to go 55 without winding it out. It has been recommended to change the rear entirely to something like a Mustang with a ratio near 3.0 with the thought that it would allow full use of the four-speed and a better highway speed with lower rpm. Any ideas from the group would be appreciated. phil.

 

How committed are you to keeping the stock 4 spd, it is non syncro?

 

Yes it is non-synchro and is apart being reworked. I was strongly advised to change the rear end/ratio rather than going down the road with a new trany. My main question is if I can find an appropriate sized rear end, if I use a ratio of ~3.0 or lower, will that allow a 'faster' speed with lower rpm's. Being a novice, I'm not clear about rear end ratio and the effect on top end. I currently on my 4 speed don't use first gear since it is so low, and thought if I could change the rear ratio, I could possibly use the lower gear. Any help would be appreciated. phil

 

Changing the rear is easier than changing the transmission from everything I have read. The 9" from '57-'72 is the right size for the truck and will bolt right in. With the 9" you can get a ton of different gear ratios. If you read more here you will find a lot of guys will use the 8" also because it is lighter. The 8" came in cars though and will come with the car bolt circle and will need to have the spring perches changed. I don't have any practical experience with what will work, but I have asked many of the same questions because my truck had a 4spd when I got it.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...7-4-speed.html

Here is a thread where there is discussion of rear ratio recommendation, there are a lot out there. You are correct that if you go with a smaller rear number (closer ratio) you will get higher speed with lower RPM mathematically. Look also on that thread what the gear ratios for the 4 spd are. There will still be a very large rpm change when shifting from first to 2nd. Do some more searching though, there are a number of threads here that discuss final ratios and the flathead. Search the '48 and up site also, the issue is basically the same for the F1 trucks with the flatheads again I don't have any practical experience.

 

Thanks for the helpful information. Switched over to your recommended thread and was helpful. I still am looking for the right rear end but it sounds like a 9" would be the best solution for me. Sorry for the delay in responding but am in the process of getting the truck apart for re-painting and working on the '50 Merc flathead. Will get back when I find the rear axle.phil.

 

Another option is to change the center section with a quick change like the Halibrand and then you could have just about any ratio desired. The only drawback is they are a bit pricey.

 

I had seriously considered what you are recommending, but am strapped for finances and at this point and would prefer to find a more low cost rear end solution in which I could modify the ratios. Thanks,phil