Revolution Gear & Axle Dana 44 Rear Axle 3.73 Ratio Ring & Pinion Set

A 3.73 Dana 44 gear set is the regear most owners choose when they move up one or two tire sizes, tow with a stock-height truck, or simply need to replace a worn set that has started to howl. This Revolution Gear and Axle D44-373 is a new 3.73 ring and pinion for the standard-rotation Dana 44, the axle found under 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ rears, 1986-1993 Cherokee XJ rears, classic Broncos, K5 Blazers, F-series and Ram trucks, and a long list of Jeep full-size and CJ models. If your truck currently runs 3.07, 3.31 or 3.54 gears and feels flat on 31 to 33 in. tires, 3.73 is a moderate step that keeps highway rpm reasonable.

What the 3.73 ring and pinion does in a Dana 44

The pinion turns the 8.5 in. ring gear, which spins the carrier and both axle shafts. At 3.73 the driveshaft makes 3.73 revolutions for each wheel revolution, so the engine sits higher in its torque band at any road speed than it did on a taller gear. Revolution lists this set as standard rotation, 26-spline pinion, 8620 steel, made in Korea, with a 10-bolt cover pattern and a 3/8 in. ring gear bolt thread.

The detail that matters most when ordering is the Dana 44 carrier break, which Revolution puts at 3.73/3.92. A 3.73 set uses the 3.73-and-down carrier, the same one used behind 3.07 through 3.54 gears. That means most Dana 44s coming from a numerically lower ratio can keep their existing open carrier or limited slip. A Dana 44 that already has 3.92 or deeper gears has the taller 3.92-and-up carrier, and this set will not mount to it. Our carrier break explainer covers how to tell them apart.

Symptoms that call for a new 3.73 set

• Gear whine that rises with speed and changes when you go from throttle to coast
• Clunk or lash on takeoff from worn gear teeth or a loose pinion
• Lazy acceleration and frequent downshifts after a small tire upgrade
• Chipped, pitted or blued teeth found when the cover comes off
• Metal paste on the drain plug magnet along with whine, which points at the gears and bearings together

How to confirm before you buy

Pull the cover, count the ring gear and pinion teeth or read the axle tag, and check that the axle is a standard-rotation Dana 44 with 10 cover bolts. A noise that stays the same on throttle and coast is more often a wheel or carrier bearing than the gears. The Dana 44 axle problems guide walks through separating gear whine from bearing noise.

Fitment

Revolution's fitment chart for this standard-rotation Dana 44 set includes:

• Jeep: 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ, 1986-1993 Cherokee XJ, 1986-1992 Comanche, CJ5, CJ6, 1986 CJ7, Scrambler, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, J10, Jeepster
• Ford: 1971-1977 Bronco, 1975-1978 F-150, 1959-1977 F-250
• Chevrolet: 1975-1980 K5 Blazer, 1969-1974 Blazer, 1967-1968 C10, 1984-1994 Camaro, 1980-1982 Corvette
• Dodge: 1994-2001 Ram 1500, 1994-2002 Ram 2500, 1974-1993 Ramcharger

Dana 44s were built front and rear, in standard and reverse rotation, and many have been swapped between vehicles, so check the axle tag and your carrier's ring gear bolt size, or send us the year and VIN. More Dana 44 parts are in hard parts.

Install notes

Revolution's Dana 44 baseline is a 0.042 in. starting pinion shim, 14-19 in-lb pinion bearing preload, .006-.010 in. backlash, 55 ft-lb ring gear bolts for 3/8 in. hardware and 60 ft-lb bearing caps. Start there and adjust until the marking compound pattern is centered. Install new carrier and pinion bearings, a crush sleeve and a pinion seal from a master kit. If the old carrier is worn, a bare 30-spline Dana 44 carrier for 3.73 and down or an Eaton Truetrac for 3.73-and-down gears drops in with this set. Seal it up with a Dana 44 cover, fill with 75W-90 (add friction modifier for a clutch-type limited slip), and follow Revolution's break-in: easy driving with no towing, then change the oil. Owners going deeper for 35 in. tires should look at the D44-488D 4.88 set instead.

Can I keep my original carrier with this 3.73 set?

Usually yes if the axle came with 3.07, 3.31, 3.54 or 3.73 gears, because those use the same 3.73-and-down carrier. A Dana 44 that had 3.92 or deeper gears has the larger carrier and needs a 3.73-and-down carrier swapped in.

Is 3.73 enough for 33 in. tires?

For many street-driven Jeeps and trucks coming from 3.07 or 3.31 gears it is a noticeable improvement. Owners who tow, run an automatic with a tall overdrive, or go to 35 in. tires usually choose 4.10 to 4.88 instead.

Does this fit a reverse-rotation Dana 44 front?

No. This is a standard-rotation set. High-pinion reverse-rotation Dana 44 fronts need a reverse-rotation gear set.

What gear oil should I use?

75W-90 gear oil, with friction modifier if the axle has a clutch-type limited slip. Change it after the break-in miles.

Does this come with bearings?

No. This is the ring and pinion only. Order a Dana 44 master install kit with bearings, crush sleeve, seal and shims separately.