D44 3.92+ carrier

Kunker

Administrator
Club Member
As the title says, I'm looking for a D44 3.92 and up carrier. Anyone have a spare kicking around?
 

Logan

apparently the prezident
Club Member
Wait a sec...there are different carriers depending on gears???
 

Farm Boy

Bought the Farm
Wait a sec...there are different carriers depending on gears???

Yup, there most definatley is -- changes with the axle though. Some axles one carrier does all ratios, some have 2 different, some might even have 3.
If you use a full case locker (Detroit, ARB etc) the carrier gets replaced.
 

Kunker

Administrator
Club Member
You can also get around it in the D44 case with thick gears, but I'm seriously considering a Detroit down the road (no $$$ right now), so I'd rather not have to buy gears twice. Still might do thick gears and a Lock-Rite/Aussie though.
 

Logan

apparently the prezident
Club Member
So... Dana 44's from a 1980 waggy need a different carrier??? How do I tell what gears are thick gears???

Sorry for the hijack!!!
 
K

kbrousseau

Guest
No waggy from the late 70's up would have ever come with 3:92 gears or higher. An 80 waggy front 44 would need the different carrier. BJ's Offroad sell these carriers and the price isn't to bad. An early J series truck could have up to 5:13 from the factory.

I didn't even know there was such a thing as thick or thin gears, so I have no idea how to tell them apart.
 
C

CJMunky

Guest
Thick gears will be marked with a T after the serial number stamped on the ring gear. The dana 44 carrier has a carrier break at 3.73 / 3.92 gears. So, there is two dana 44 carriers, one carrier that fits 3.73 and numerically lower gears, and one for 3.92 and numerically higher gears.

Thick gears, were designed to offer the 3.92 and numerically higher gears, on the 3.73 and numerically lower carrier.

For example: I had a set of Dana 44 axles from a Scout. They originally had 3.07 gears. which means that both axles have the Dana 44 3.73 and numerically lower gear carriers. I wanted to regear to 4.88's, so I had a choice of buying the new 3.92 and numerically higher carriers and the standard 4.88 gears. After some research, I found 4.88 Thick gears. (488T) which would give me the ratio i wanted, and would still fit on the 3.73 and numerically lower carriers. I also did this because I think that a thicker ring gear will help in building the breakage out of the ring gear by offering a bit more stregth due to a thicker ring. (more metal is good right?)

Other ratios are available as well, 4.88, 4.56, 4.10 and I think even 5.13 can all come in thick gearsets to fit the numerically lower carriers. I purchased mine from Randy's Ring and pinion, (ringpinion.com) They were made by Yukon.

The Waggy carriers, other than spline counts, should not vary in size or from year to year. A dana 44 carrier is a dana 44 carrier, with some some exceptions being, rubi 44's, High pinion 44's, lockers and the carriers break sizes. The way to tell the difference between the carrier types (373 minus and 392 plus) is the thickness of the ring gear mounting flange. I dont know the measurements off hand, but I know they can be found online.

I hope this helps
 
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Logan

apparently the prezident
Club Member
woo hoo, thanks. So now to see if richmond gear has thick gears...
 

Kunker

Administrator
Club Member
For example: I had a set of Dana 44 axles from a Scout. They originally had 3.07 gears. which means that both axles have the Dana 44 3.73 and numerically lower gear carriers. I wanted to regear to 4.88's, so I had a choice of buying the new 3.92 and numerically higher carriers and the standard 4.88 gears. After some research, I found 4.88 Thick gears. (488T) which would give me the ratio i wanted, and would still fit on the 3.73 and numerically lower carriers. I also did this because I think that a thicker ring gear will help in building the breakage out of the ring gear by offering a bit more stregth due to a thicker ring. (more metal is good right?)

I've heard that the bolts used to hold the thicker gears on the carrier are larger than the "thin" gears, and as such, the mounting holes on the carrier need to be drilled out. Any truth to this in your case?
 
C

CJMunky

Guest
As this was my first regear, I never did the install myself, a friend of a friend of some guy that someone else knew did it. However, the work he did was excellent, and I did see various stages of the install and I did question him quite alot about it. At no point did he tell me that he had to drill them out. Also, I noticed no visible difference between the old ones and the new ones. I have never seen or heard of this issue, it is actually the first time I have ever heard it brought up. A simple phone call or email to a retailer or a manufacturer, like richmond or yukon, and I'm sure they would be able to tell you for sure.

As well, aside from that, I still have one of the original copies of the installation instructions for those gearsets and it was never mentioned at all in those. So I will go with 'no'. However the guys that make em would be the best source of info for that.

*edit* I almost completely forgot. The gears were originally installed on a D44 spool that I have, I have since replaced it with an open carrier for street reasons. I looked at the holes, and there is no evidence of them being drilled out. If he did, he has the finest drilling ability and tools I have ever seen. Liek I said before though, I have never even heard of that being an issue.
 
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Kunker

Administrator
Club Member
Cool...I was poking around Pirate (I think), and saw it mentioned. Whenever I get around to ordering gears, I'll make sure to ask though.
 

Kunker

Administrator
Club Member
I've pretty much decided to go with a Detroit/Grizzly up front, so I'm no longer in need of a carrier for the D44.

Thanks!
 
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