The Ford Barn

chuck stevens · 04-14-2019, 07:07 AM

Has anyone had any experiences with the diff used in ford half ton trucks, I think they were a Dana 40. Will they hold up ok with a 302 and an automatic, in a 34, thanks Chuck.

rotorwrench · 04-14-2019, 08:34 AM

Ford 1/2 ton truck is not a complete description. Ford started using the Dana 41 in 1948 for the new Bonus Built F1 pickups. The Dana 41 was used until early to mid 1950 when it was replaced with the Dana 44. The two rear axles are a lot alike but there is more room in the Dana 44 case for more variety of ratio changes. The Dana 44 may still be in production for some 4WD applications.

Either rear axle will hold up to a moderate HP 302 Ford Windsor small block but a person might want a different ratio gear for highway use. The Dana 44 has a limited number of ratios still available for the early axle spline carriers. The 3.78:1 was common for the Dana 41 but the ratios went to 3.91:1 with the Dana 44. Randy's Worldwide has R&Ps for the Dana 44.

Ol' Ron · 04-14-2019, 06:32 PM

I ran a 350 chevy with auto trans into a Dana 41 with 3.3 ratio for years with no problems. the Dana 44 is common in Chrysler cars with 318 v8's. It's also common in off road cars and trucks. Unless your going to drag race with soft slicks, you might not like it. I have a Dana 44A in my roadster comes with posi and disk brakes and are very cheep in scrap yards.

chuck stevens · 04-17-2019, 06:00 AM

Thanks for the reply, Chuck.

KiWinUS · 04-17-2019, 09:41 AM

Dana 41 used in jeeps up into 70,s I believe
A place in South Carolina has any part you need for them

1952henry · 04-17-2019, 05:51 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

[QUOTE=KiWinUS;1747907]Dana 41 used in jeeps up into 70,s I believe
A place in South Carolina has any part you need for them[/QUOT

Dana 41 until 50, then the 44 until 71.

04-14-2019, 07:07 AM	#1
chuck stevens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate new york Posts: 758	truck dana rear axle Has anyone had any experiences with the diff used in ford half ton trucks, I think they were a Dana 40. Will they hold up ok with a 302 and an automatic, in a 34, thanks Chuck.

04-14-2019, 08:34 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: truck dana rear axle Ford 1/2 ton truck is not a complete description. Ford started using the Dana 41 in 1948 for the new Bonus Built F1 pickups. The Dana 41 was used until early to mid 1950 when it was replaced with the Dana 44. The two rear axles are a lot alike but there is more room in the Dana 44 case for more variety of ratio changes. The Dana 44 may still be in production for some 4WD applications. Either rear axle will hold up to a moderate HP 302 Ford Windsor small block but a person might want a different ratio gear for highway use. The Dana 44 has a limited number of ratios still available for the early axle spline carriers. The 3.78:1 was common for the Dana 41 but the ratios went to 3.91:1 with the Dana 44. Randy's Worldwide has R&Ps for the Dana 44.

04-14-2019, 06:32 PM	#3
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: truck dana rear axle I ran a 350 chevy with auto trans into a Dana 41 with 3.3 ratio for years with no problems. the Dana 44 is common in Chrysler cars with 318 v8's. It's also common in off road cars and trucks. Unless your going to drag race with soft slicks, you might not like it. I have a Dana 44A in my roadster comes with posi and disk brakes and are very cheep in scrap yards.

04-17-2019, 06:00 AM	#4
chuck stevens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate new york Posts: 758	Re: truck dana rear axle Thanks for the reply, Chuck.

04-17-2019, 09:41 AM	#5
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,954	Re: truck dana rear axle Dana 41 used in jeeps up into 70,s I believe A place in South Carolina has any part you need for them

04-17-2019, 05:51 PM	#6
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,615	Re: truck dana rear axle Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) [QUOTE=KiWinUS;1747907]Dana 41 used in jeeps up into 70,s I believe A place in South Carolina has any part you need for them[/QUOT Dana 41 until 50, then the 44 until 71. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.