Are all Dana 44 rear axles limited slip from the factory?

[YooperSkipper]

Still shopping for my first TJ. When I run the build sheets on the ones I'm interested in....some list the Dana 44 rear end along with 3:73 gears and also specify Trac-lock differential. Others just list the Dana 44 rear end. I've been told by many that all Dana 44 were limited slip? Help?

 

[Rob5589]

Having a TL is definitely better than an open carrier but, I wouldn't base buying a TJ on whether it has one or not. Having the 44, open or TL, is definitely a plus.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Early TJ Dana 44 axles came standard with a Tracloc but then later like 2001 or so it became an option. The Tracloc is not all that desirable, its clutch pack wears out after 40-50k miles and it doesn't help much, if at all, when offroad.

 

[YooperSkipper]

Early TJ Dana 44 axles came standard with a Tracloc but then later like 2001 or so it became an option. The Tracloc is not all that desirable, its clutch pack wears out after 40-50k miles and it doesn't help much, if at all, when offroad.

Thanks for your reply.....why isn't a Tracloc desirable? If I bought a TJ with it, how can I tell if it's working or not. Are they costly to repair? Thanks again for your info!

 

[Rob5589]

I wouldn't say it is undesirable. It is certainly better than an open carrier. The clutches wear fairly quick, it isn't very aggressive, but is is not expensive to repair. It can be done in your garage with simple hand tools and some know-how. Throw in some new clutches and squirt in some 85-140 straight oil without friction modifier/limited slip additive and you'll be good to go.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I wouldn't say it is undesirable. It is certainly better than an open carrier. The clutches wear fairly quick, it isn't very aggressive, but is is not expensive to repair. It can be done in your garage with simple hand tools and some know-how. Throw in some new clutches and squirt in some 85-140 straight oil without friction modifier/limited slip additive and you'll be good to go.

The Tracloc requires a friction modifier (limited slip additive) in the gear lube to work properly. It's the Detroit Truetrac that doesn't require the limited slip additive to work properly.

 

[Rob5589]

The Tracloc requires a friction modifier (limited slip additive) in the gear lube to work properly. It's the Detroit Truetrac that doesn't require the limited slip additive to work properly.

Running without will make the clutches a bit more "grippy." Used to do it all the time.

 

[Jorge Bolivar]

I would base the purchase on the Dana 44 and nothing else. Chances are that the trac-lock need to be serviced and you end up upgrading to something like a Truetrac to save money if not decide add a selectable locker instead.

 

[Viet Vet]

Hi, I`m new to the forum, Sorry if this is a dumb question. I`m planning on changing my differential fluid. I have an 03 Wrangler sport with a Dana 30 in front and a Dana 44 in the rear. How can I tell if I have the standard Trac-lok limited slip differential? I understand that if I do there is an additive that must be added to fluid. Thanks

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Hi, I`m new to the forum, Sorry if this is a dumb question. I`m planning on changing my differential fluid. I have an 03 Wrangler sport with a Dana 30 in front and a Dana 44 in the rear. How can I tell if I have the standard Trac-lok limited slip differential? I understand that if I do there is an additive that must be added to fluid. Thanks

If your Dana 44 has the Tracloc and requires the friction modifier additive, 99.999% of all GL-5 gear lubes for axles already contain the additive. It would be hard to find a gear lube suitable for our axles that does not contain the additive. You can verify whether it has the additive or not by reading the back label. If it has words to the effect "Compatible with limited slip differentials" the additive is already there and no more is needed.

There's a chance there may be a decal inside the glove compartment warning of the limited slip's (Tracloc) presence if the factory installed on. Or there may be a steel tag bolted onto the Dana 44's differential cover at about its 2 o'clock position indicating that the additive is required. The steel tag bolted onto the differential cover at its 9 o'clock position is not the one I'm talking about. That tag indicates the axle ratio ("3 73) and some other Dana p/n information.

 

[b0xcar]

Hi, I`m new to the forum, Sorry if this is a dumb question. I`m planning on changing my differential fluid. I have an 03 Wrangler sport with a Dana 30 in front and a Dana 44 in the rear. How can I tell if I have the standard Trac-lok limited slip differential? I understand that if I do there is an additive that must be added to fluid. Thanks

Enter your vehicle VIN number. It will tell you here...

https://jeep.custhelp.com/app/jeep/eqlisting_detail/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5MzY0MzI4OC9zaWQvWGxOMmc2T2w=

I believe this is how it came from the factory.

 

[Viet Vet]

If your Dana 44 has the Tracloc and requires the friction modifier additive, 99.999% of all GL-5 gear lubes for axles already contain the additive. It would be hard to find a gear lube suitable for our axles that does not contain the additive. You can verify whether it has the additive or not by reading the back label. If it has words to the effect "Compatible with limited slip differentials" the additive is already there and no more is needed.

There's a chance there may be a decal inside the glove compartment warning of the limited slip's (Tracloc) presence if the factory installed on. Or there may be a steel tag bolted onto the Dana 44's differential cover at about its 2 o'clock position indicating that the additive is required. The steel tag bolted onto the differential cover at its 9 o'clock position is not the one I'm talking about. That tag indicates the axle ratio ("3 73) and some other Dana p/n information.

Thanks

 

[Viet Vet]

If your Dana 44 has the Tracloc and requires the friction modifier additive, 99.999% of all GL-5 gear lubes for axles already contain the additive. It would be hard to find a gear lube suitable for our axles that does not contain the additive. You can verify whether it has the additive or not by reading the back label. If it has words to the effect "Compatible with limited slip differentials" the additive is already there and no more is needed.

There's a chance there may be a decal inside the glove compartment warning of the limited slip's (Tracloc) presence if the factory installed on. Or there may be a steel tag bolted onto the Dana 44's differential cover at about its 2 o'clock position indicating that the additive is required. The steel tag bolted onto the differential cover at its 9 o'clock position is not the one I'm talking about. That tag indicates the axle ratio ("3 73) and some other Dana p/n information.

Thanks

Enter your vehicle VIN number. It will tell you here...

https://jeep.custhelp.com/app/jeep/eqlisting_detail/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5MzY0MzI4OC9zaWQvWGxOMmc2T2w=

I believe this is how it came from the factory.

Thanks

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thanks

From one RVN vet to another, you're welcome.

 

[Sunder]

I would base the purchase on the Dana 44 and nothing else. Chances are that the trac-lock need to be serviced and you end up upgrading to something like a Truetrac to save money if not decide add a selectable locker instead.

Agreed.
I would weigh the axle (Dana 44) and gearing (whatever you are looking for) as high when looking for a TJ.
I would not really consider having a Tracloc or not as important.
Why?
1. It's a TJ. (not new). Therefore the Tracloc is most likely not working and requires new clutch packs to work. (will cost you some $$)

2. While technically having a (working) Tracloc is more beneficial than an open differential...when offroading with other Jeeps, and seeing what they are doing, you're going to be disappointed in the Tracloc. It's like saying a stool is better than nothing when climbing for something high...it is...but then you see people with big ladders...

3. You will want to install a TrueTrac or selectable locker at some point. Trust me. If you're on this forum, and you're planning to buy a TJ...you'll get the bug to upgrade at some point. Having a "Tracloc" would just be an excuse not to upgrade and/or take away funds by rebuilding the Tracloc when you could put that $$ towards something else.

source: I had a rear Tracloc. It wore out, and I never fixed it. Instead, I now have front/rear TruTracs.
I've also spent more money on my Jeep since joining this forum...

 

[TKT]

Just got a 06 TJ for my sone, can't lie though... it's as much fun for me as it is him!
My Question is this... How do I figure out if this thing does or does not have Trak Loc in the rear end?
Q#2 : Are you guys running 75/80w-140 in the rear or 75/80w-90???

 

[Fouledplugs]

Just got a 06 TJ for my sone, can't lie though... it's as much fun for me as it is him!
My Question is this... How do I figure out if this thing does or does not have Trak Loc in the rear end?
Q#2 : Are you guys running 75/80w-140 in the rear or 75/80w-90???

Use your VIN and this website
https://jeep.custhelp.com/app/jeep/eqlisting_detail/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5MzY0MzI4OC9zaWQvWGxOMmc2T2w=

 

[TKT]

Use your VIN and this website
https://jeep.custhelp.com/app/jeep/eqlisting_detail/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5MzY0MzI4OC9zaWQvWGxOMmc2T2w=

Perfect! Yes it does have Traklock. Thanks for the help!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

...
Q#2 : Are you guys running 75/80w-140 in the rear or 75/80w-90???

If you tow a trailer behind your TJ as I often do (a small tent trailer), go for one of the heavier viscosities you first mentioned. Otherwise a 75W-90, 80W-90, etc. is fine. The exact viscosity is unimportant so long as it is rated as a GL5.

 

[TKT]

If you tow a trailer behind your TJ as I often do (a small tent trailer), go for one of the heavier viscosities you first mentioned. Otherwise a 75W-90, 80W-90, etc. is fine. The exact viscosity is unimportant so long as it is rated as a GL5.

Thank you Jerry! Don't tow with this one...although it has a beefed up receiver..... I have a good ol' 02 Duramax for that kinda stuff... and drag the Jeep behind that if I need to)). Love that Allison/Duramax combo)))
This old TJ does have 170k on it though... you think better to go with higher weight anyway given the mileage???