Dana Holding Corp. has introduced the Dana 44 front axle to its Crate Axle program. The new offering delivers extreme performance for a variety of applications, including off-road vehicles, forklifts, pickup trucks, pushback tugs, rock crawler buggys and small mining shovels, according to Dana.
“The overwhelming market reception of the Ultimate Dana 44 axle—a new bolt-in axle for the Jeep Wrangler introduced at last fall’s SEMA show—has created a demand for the same durable axle in other applications,” said Doug Wolma, vice president and general manager, Dana Aftermarket Group. “Now, through Dana’s Crate Axle program, off-road vehicle owners can directly order Dana 44 front axles, which can be customized to fit a wide variety of vehicles and meet the most challenging operational demands.”
Among the features and benefits of the Dana 44, as described by the company, are:
- Increase axle tube thickness to 5/16-in. for improved strength, rigidity, and durability;
- Spicer nickel chromoly axle shafts designed for optimal strength and performance;
- Spicer Life Series (also known as SPL) 1350 u-joints with triple-lip seals and full-circle clips for protection and retention;
- Choice of selectable locking electronic or open differential;
- Spicer gearing with expanded aftermarket gear ratios: 3.73, 4.10, 4.56, 4.88, 5.13, and 5.38;
- Pinion angle optimized for lifted vehicles; and
- An increased gross axle weight rating.
