Posted by Eric B. on Sunday, October 17, 2004 at 11:38AM :
In Reply to: Re: ? is the difference w200 3000vs3500 dana 44 axle? posted by MoparNorm on Sunday, October 17, 2004 at 10:58AM :
The image above is of a Big knuckle Dana 44 (3500lbs) in a 1966 W100 Town Wagon.
I also do not have my parts books in front of me, but here is my memory.
The Small knuckle Dana 44 (3000 lbs) was used as standard equipment in all 1961-71 W100-W200s, even the 69-71 5 bolt axles were still pretty much the same small knuckle axle with different hubs/drums.
Throughout that run, the big knuckle Dana 44 (3500 lbs) was an option, the only truck style I know of that got it standard was the factory built Crew Cab W200s (1962? maybe 1963? and up, not the early outside conversions).
There were both W200s, and a very limited number of W100s that got the 3500lbs axle from the factory between 1961 and 1971, one example is a group of 1966 W100 Town Wagons that got the 3500lbs axle, 3/4 ton springs, and the 1 ton yokes/U-joints.
My memory says the drums, and lockouts interchange on these axles, basicly the 3500lbs Dana 44 is a Dana 44 tube, with Dana 70 balls, and Dana 44 hubs, drums, etc.
At least that is how it was explained to me.
I have images of the small knuckle ball if you want to see the difference.
I hope that helps!
If anyone has better info, please jump in!
Eric
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