IDing my gears aand axles

[1974 Wagoneer]

I'm not sure if this is a good idea but I am about to start learning about (which could easily lead to messing with, which in turn could lead to an obsession to improve, which always leads to an expense, which leads to an argument with my wife who wants to add on to the house.) the gears on my wag. I guess if I am going to call myself a true jeeper I should know all there is to know about the gears and such that move my beastty around.

So How do Identify my axles and gear ratios.

I have a 74 wagoneer. if that helps.

[mnoeltne]

I don't know enough about what was in the 74s to give you specific info, but I would start here: http://www.ifsja.org/tech/axle/axleid.shtml

That page will get you started.

If you have Dana axles then there should be a little metal tag on one of the cover bolts with the ratio on it.

Another way to check the ratio is jack up the truck and put a chalk mark on the drive shaft and see how many times you have to turn the wheel to get one turn of the driveshaft. If the tire turns about 3-1/2 times, then you have a 3.54 ratio, if you turn the tire just over 4 times then you probably have a 4.10 ratio, etc.

Hope this helps!

[ibnfe]

There should be a metal tag attached to one of the cover bolts. If it is gone, like most of them are, you can bounce the VIN # off of the dealer and they should be able to tell you, or if you want to find out yourself, convince yourself that it's time to change the diff fluid, pull the covers, and count the teeth. Divide the number of teeth on the ring gear by the number of teeth on the pinion gear, for example, if the ring has 41 teeth and the pinion has 10, the 41 / 10= 4.10 gears, etc. The axle id link should get you going on what kind. You can determine that by the diff cover and bolt pattern.

[jeepguzzi]

Instead of marking the driveshaft with chalk, try taping a string to it, then rotate the tire and you can see how many times the driveshaft rotated by looking at the string.

[joe]

A 74 Wag is going to have D44's front/rear with either 3.07 gears stock or 3.54's optional.
If the diff tags are gone you can lift one wheel, rotate the tire once and count the driveshaft revs and then "multiply by two" to get the axle ratio. Just barely 3 turns (after x2) is 3.07 or 3-1/2 turns is 3.54's. Or turn the wheel twice. If you don't x2 you'll end up with about a 1.5:1 and that ain't possible. For accuracy before you start counting either tire or shaft revs turn the wheel till it's tight and actually turning the shaft to get the slop out of the spider gears...then count shaft revs.
If you've got the optional LSD rear axle(and it's still functioning) then you'll need to raise both rear wheels off the ground and count the drive shaft revs direct w/o multiplying by 2.

[scotty]

last and not least,if the tag is gone,you dont want mess withjacking up your rig, rotating wheels and counting revolutions,and it is indeed time to check/change gear oil,and it is a full moon(just kidding),you do not actually have to count all those teeth. the ring and pinion tooth count will be stamped on the ring gear,just find it and divide the big umber by the little one. smile.gif

[1974 Wagoneer]

Well that is done,

I have 3.54 gears and D44s

Not to sound to stupid, but just what does this mean to me.

:eek:

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 1974 Wagoneer:
I have 3.54 gears and D44s
Not to sound to stupid, but just what does this mean to me. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It means be happy you don't have the 3.07's smile.gif
3.54's/3.73's are pretty good "all-around-in- general" compromise gears.
They're not too low(numerically high) for hwy use and still decent for offroad and towing.

[scotty]

well said,joe.

[1974 Wagoneer]

3.54 to 1 guess that makes sense.

Now D44 ??

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 1974 Wagoneer:
3.54 to 1 guess that makes sense.

Now D44 ??<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dana 44 model axles are good axles. The "44" is just a size/model designation ie; D44's have bigger/stronger ring and pinion gears/axles etc than a D30 or D27 but not as tough as a D60. For more info follow the "D44 strength..." thread in the Tech Forum.