Yukon Gear Replacement Standard Open Carrier Case For Dana 44 / 3.92+
If you are regearing a Dana 44 from 3.73 to 4.10, 4.56 or 4.88, or the old open case came out with a hammered cross-pin bore or a cracked flange, this is the part that holds the new ring gear. The Yukon Gear and Axle YC D706025 is a new standard open carrier case for the Dana 44, made for the high-ratio side of the carrier break: 3.92 and numerically higher. It suits Jeep, Bronco, Ford, GM and Dodge Dana 44 builds that stay open rather than going to a locker or limited slip.
The carrier is the iron case that the ring gear bolts to. It rides on two tapered carrier bearings in the housing, and inside it the spider gears and cross-pin split torque between the two axle shafts. In an open Dana 44 the case does not lock or bias torque; it simply turns with the ring gear while the side gears let the wheels run at different speeds in a turn. Because the pinion position never changes, Dana builds two different cases for this axle. A higher numerical ratio uses a smaller pinion head and a thicker ring gear, so the ring gear mounting flange sits in a different spot. Yukon lists this case for 3.92 and up and describes it as 2-3/8 inches tall, which is how its flange height is identified against the 3.73-and-down case.
Drain the oil and look at it first. Bright metal flakes and chunks point to spider gear or case damage, while fine paste usually means bearings. Pull the cover, check the roll pin and cross-pin, and rock each axle shaft against the ring gear to feel for slop in the side gears. Our spider gear failure guide walks through those checks, and the carrier bearing noise guide helps separate bearing whine from case problems. Next, confirm the ratio from the axle tag or by counting the ring gear and pinion teeth; do not go by the window sticker.
This case fits Dana 44 axles with ring and pinion sets of 3.92 and numerically higher. It will not accept a 3.73, 3.54 or lower gear set; those need the 3.73-and-down case, and no shim makes up the difference. Our carrier break guide explains why. The Dana 44 has been built in many versions with different axle spline counts and bearing sizes, and Yukon does not publish a vehicle table for this case, so match the spline count of your axle shafts and your carrier bearing part numbers before you order. If your gears are 3.73 or lower, you want our Dana 44 30-spline 3.73 and down case instead, and if you want traction rather than an open case, the Eaton ELocker4 for Dana 44 fronts, 3.92 and up sits on the same side of the break. If you are not sure which axle you have, send us the year and VIN and we will check it, or start with our Dana 44 axle guide.
Plan this as a full setup job, not a bolt-in. Yukon's listing is for the case itself, so budget for spider gears, such as our Dana 44 30-spline open spider gear kit, plus new carrier bearings. The old bearing cones must be pulled off the old case, and a clamshell carrier bearing puller does that without damaging the rollers. Press the new bearings on, bolt the ring gear on with new bolts and thread locker torqued in a star pattern, and set carrier preload and backlash with shims behind the bearings. The Dana 44 uses no adjuster nuts, so a carrier shim driver helps seat the outer shims. Check the gear pattern with marking compound, then fill with 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil to the bottom of the fill hole. Break the new gears in gently, with no towing for the first few hundred miles.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | YC D706025 |
| Fits | Yukon Gear Replacement Standard Open Carrier Case For Dana 44 / 3.92+ |
| Type | Differential Housings |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. This case is for 3.92 and numerically higher ratios only. A 3.73, 3.54 or lower Dana 44 gear set needs the 3.73-and-down case because the ring gear sits at a different height.
The listing is for the carrier case. Plan on spider gears and a cross-pin from a matching Dana 44 open spider gear kit, and match the side gear spline count to your axle shafts.
Yes. Going from 3.73 to 3.92 or higher crosses the Dana 44 carrier break, so the old case cannot hold the new ring gear. You need this case, a 3.92-and-up limited slip, or a 3.92-and-up locker.
Carrier bearings are pressed on and usually get damaged when they come off, and they need new shims for preload. Most builders use a master bearing kit with a new ring and pinion.
Use 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil, filled to the bottom of the fill hole. An open carrier does not need friction modifier; that additive is for clutch-type limited slips.
