How to identify a rear D44 axle.
 

OK gang,
After doing some work on my rig this past weekend, I learned the d44 rear end is a ford rear end. ended up figuring this out trying to find brake shoes that fit. The guy at the auto parts store told me was from mid 80's ford rear axle. Is there any way to be able to figure out more information on it? i am leaning towards a ford 8.8 from what I have been reading online but would like to know of a way to find out for sure. Thanks guys!

Take a picture of your axle in question.

A Dana 44 is not a ford axle. They were used in many makes and models. One of most common and popular axles

Google can answer all of these questions and more. I'm not quite sure what you're asking of us, since there isn't much information to go on besides you thought it was a D44. Also, I highly doubt mr. parts desk guy can tell that the pads came off of a mid 80's Ford.







But seriously, all you need is google images.

Here...
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...a51a620da.jpeg

The D44 also comes with the new Ford JKU Wranglers.

lol

I can take one when I get home, and maybe I mistyped, but the particular axle originally came off a ford vehicle. I am surmising this as I had to take in the old brake shoes and the ones he had that matched are ones for a mid 80's ford. Just trying to get as much information as possible so if I ever need parts for anything referring to the rear axle I have a knowledge base to work with. And besides I already know it is a 44, but like you said they were used across a wide range of vehicles, so there are differences.

Ah. I'm not even sure if there would be any markings distinguishing exactly what it came from. What vehicle matched the brake shoes that you got. That might be a good place to start?

Edit: looking at Wikipedia (not the best source, I know) I don't even see a rear 44 used on fords, see it used in the front of a few though.
See if this gets you anywhere http://www.differentials.com/technic...identification

easier to take a picture

Find the Bill of Material Number on the housing or the ID tag. Then go to http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/deabill.aspx .

Max

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...4ba65b47e9.jpg

That's a front axle in that picture. Markings are not the same between manufacturers either. OP, you do not have a Ford Dana 44. Ford had the 8.8 at that time. You really need a couple pictures for us to tell you anything. But we can't help that much because it's pretty simple. The differential housings look different for all of them, so just look at the pictures and you'll have your answer.

Here are a few pictures I got. The only identification I could see were the numbers on the webbing next to the differential itself.

That's a Dana 44, but it ain't out of a Ford. If you want more info, I believe I can see a tag there between the furthest left two bolts. They get completely caked with crap and can disappear as a result. Take a wire brush and clean that spot off. Chrysler generally puts their tags between diff cover bolts, so look around at the other ones too if that isn't a tag I see.

is it full width?
are your shocks mounted one on each side of the axle? what do your brake drums look like? are they finned?

you might just have a stock xj44 from a 1987 xj

It seems to be full width and yes shocks are mounted one on either side. I found some numbers and have not been able to research them yet as I just found them tonight.

By full width, do you mean xj full width or half ton truck full width.