Help identifying rear axle housing

[RitualHabitual]

G2 manufactured axle housing from a TJ part out. The cover looks like a Dana 44 but to me it doesn't look like a Dana 44 from above, am I wrong? Can anyone help me identify this housing? Did G2 make a version of the Dana 35 at any point? Owner isn't sure what it is. Thanks in advance!

 

[Blackjack]

Its a Dana 44. Dana 35 covers are oval shaped.

 

[RitualHabitual]

That's what I figured when I first looked but then I was a thrown off by the overall shape, which is different from what I would expect (see below). I'd be curious if anyone knows what's behind the difference.

 

[Fouledplugs]

That's what I figured when I first looked but then I was a thrown off by the overall shape, which is different from what I would expect (see below). I'd be curious if anyone knows what's behind the difference.

View attachment 213097

View attachment 213099

They changed the casting a bit, adding more webbing which has a purpose, more strength.

No aftermarket company has ever redesigned a 35 or made a Dana 35 clone. But it is funny to think about. A Currie RockJock 35..

 

[RitualHabitual]

They changed the casting a bit, adding more webbing which has a purpose, more strength.

No aftermarket company has ever redesigned a 35 or made a Dana 35 clone. But it is funny to think about. A Currie RockJock 35..

Thanks for the clearing that up—good to know. The front housing in the set is the newer style with the additional webbing, which gives me some confidence in my decision-making process. It just seems beefier. Is there anything important to know about the older style/design rear 44? Are they the same internally? Parts interchangeable between newer and older designs? For example, would a locker be specific to one or the other or would the same locker fit both? I’m just wondering if it would be more difficult to find parts for this older design. I’m also wondering if both designs were native to TJs or if this one is from another vehicle and modified to fit a TJ? If you happen to know—no worries if not.

By the way, the seller is asking for ~$4K for both axles. Both are G2 44s and include heavy duty control arms, upper and lower. The front clearly has an elocker. The rear is said to have a locker but it’s not apparent to me what type. The seller is a 3rd party so some details are sketchy. I am newer to all this (as you can probably tell) so I may be missing something that would be obvious to more experienced eyes. If anyone cares to share an opinion on whether $4K is a good value I’d be interested. I believe the price for the equivalent new would be upwards of $7K.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Thanks for the clearing that up—good to know. The front housing in the set is the newer style with the additional webbing, which gives me some confidence in my decision-making process. It just seems beefier. Is there anything important to know about the older style/design rear 44? Are they the same internally? Parts interchangeable between newer and older designs? For example, would a locker be specific to one or the other or would the same locker fit both? I’m just wondering if it would be more difficult to find parts for this older design. I’m also wondering if both designs were native to TJs or if this one is from another vehicle and modified to fit a TJ? If you happen to know—no worries if not.

By the way, the seller is asking for ~$4K for both axles. Both are G2 44s and include heavy duty control arms, upper and lower. The front clearly has an elocker. The rear is said to have a locker but it’s not apparent to me what type. The seller is a 3rd party so some details are sketchy. I am newer to all this (as you can probably tell) so I may be missing something that would be obvious to more experienced eyes. If anyone cares to share an opinion on whether $4K is a good value I’d be interested. I believe the price for the equivalent new would be upwards of $7K.

There are variations in the Dana 44. The newer JK/JL Jeep 44’s are much better than the weaker TJ/LJ Dana 44’s with Dana 30 parts.

Any Dana diamonds cast into the casting anywhere or do you know for fact that it’s a G2 axle housing?

If the whole axle is built by G2simply cast their own version of what they thought was a stronger Dana 44. I’m not sure if they use the small Dana 44 gears or the 8.9” gear sets in the G2 center casting. Best to call G2 with those questions, if I had to speculate, I’d say the G2 stuff uses the bigger gear sets and lockers identical to what the JK and JL uses. Call G2 and find out.

 

[mrblaine]

No aftermarket company has ever redesigned a 35 or made a Dana 35 clone. But it is funny to think about. A Currie RockJock 35..

That isn't as far fetched as one would think. I think a great case can be made to re-tube the center from a Ranger front HP Dana 35 and wind up with stout, small, lighter weight. I'd certainly slap that in over a HP 44 or 30.

 

[Fouledplugs]

I think a great case can be made to re-tube the center from a Ranger front HP Dana 35 and wind up with stout, small, lighter weight.

That would be a fun project.

 

[mrblaine]

That would be a fun project.

I think the exit strategy for the right side axle prevents it. Or one of the sides. No tube.

 

[RitualHabitual]

There are variations in the Dana 44. The newer JK/JL Jeep 44’s are much better than the weaker TJ/LJ Dana 44’s with Dana 30 parts.

Any Dana diamonds cast into the casting anywhere or do you know for fact that it’s a G2 axle housing?

If the whole axle is built by G2simply cast their own version of what they thought was a stronger Dana 44. I’m not sure if they use the small Dana 44 gears or the 8.9” gear sets in the G2 center casting. Best to call G2 with those questions, if I had to speculate, I’d say the G2 stuff uses the bigger gear sets and lockers identical to what the JK and JL uses. Call G2 and find out.

The rear does appear to be a G2 housing while the front has the Dana diamonds. That clarifies things quite a bit with regard to what I'm looking at and where to focus my investigation. Thanks for your feedback and advice--I'll definitely give G2 a call and see if I can get some specs/documentation.

..I'm thinking hard about pulling the trigger on these. $4K + some risk/restoration/repair vs potentially $10K for new gear. I'll have to do some close inspection to make sure they're straight, but I'm having a hard time not jumping on this one. It would totally transform my rig and I learn a lot when I go through restoration. Wish me luck..

 

[Fouledplugs]

The rear does appear to be a G2 housing while the front has the Dana diamonds. That clarifies things quite a bit with regard to what I'm looking at and where to focus my investigation. Thanks for your feedback and advice--I'll definitely give G2 a call and see if I can get some specs/documentation.

..I'm thinking hard about pulling the trigger on these. $4K + some risk/restoration/repair vs potentially $10K for new gear. I'll have to do some close inspection to make sure they're straight, but I'm having a hard time not jumping on this one. It would totally transform my rig and I learn a lot when I go through restoration. Wish me luck..

View attachment 213228

If you can find the SKU or P/N on the axles or maybe G2 can tell you, look them up and see what they cost new. Use that knowledge in your negotiations.

 

[someguysjeep]

3rd party seems sketchy. i wanna talk to the seller. i wanna see inside those diffs. i wanna see the oil inside those diffs.
what gearing? is it gonna match your trans and wheel size?