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Help Me Identify This Dana Front Axle

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 1928 Chevy CJ5, Jul 1, 2021.

  1. Jul 1, 2021
    1928 Chevy CJ5

    1928 Chevy CJ5 Member

    Southern New Mexico
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    Jul 28, 2020
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    71
    Here are a few photos of a 1950 jeep front axle mounted in a 1928 Model A Truck..... it has a Dana 23 rear axle... I was told they are both full floating axles....?? It has a T-90A-1 transmission & Dana 18 twin stick transfer case..... Is this front axle a Dana 25 or 27...? How can I tell the Difference..??

    This Truck also Has a model A four banger engine (40 hp) adapted to the T-90 .... I would like to put in at least a F-134 (60 hp) or is there a chance a Dauntless V6 could be bolted to a T-90 ....?
    Anyone have a good string running engine for this truck..??
    DSC09030.JPG DSC09031.JPG DSC09033.JPG DSC09032.JPG DSC09036.JPG DSC09037.JPG

    Advice and Help appreciated..... Thanks, Sunny 29 aa 8.jpg 29 aa 1.jpg
     
  2. Jul 1, 2021
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Looks like a Dana 25 to me
     
  3. Jul 1, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I agree on the Dana 25, but it appears to be a very early version from the '40s probably, a military version. It has the shields protecting the flexible brake lines, and the heavy cast front cover. Anyone know if the military versions had the steering arms that bolt on, or were they all cast integral with the knuckle?
    If the rear is a free floating D23, that would also likey be from a WWll military version. A very few civvy '46 CJs could have these early axles too, I believe.
    Interesting to see a transverse leaf spring mounted to a Jeep front axle!
    The L-head 134 is 60 hp, and th F-head 134 is 75 hp. You likely have room for a Buick/Dauntless V6 under your hood, and with the right bellhousing and input shaft, can be made to mate to a T90.
    -Donny
     
  4. Jul 2, 2021
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2004
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    1,132
    Do you have the BOM (bill of material)?
    Should be stamped on the long side axle tube. Older axles can be a chore to find information on as many of the Dana BOM reference sites are no longer in existence, however, that number is the first step to identify any Dana axle.
    Some good information.
    Differential Identification | West Coast Differentials
    They do have a link to various Dana axle reference materials.
     
  5. Jul 2, 2021
    1928 Chevy CJ5

    1928 Chevy CJ5 Member

    Southern New Mexico
    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2020
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    Thank you for your input... I will look for the BOM... I was told by the guy that built it ... that the tranny (T-90), transfer case, D-18 and the axles (full floating) came out of a 1950 Jeep.....???
    DSC09087.JPG DSC09088.JPG
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  6. Jul 2, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    1950 CJs did not have full floating rear axles. That was a WWII jeep thing.
     
  7. Jul 2, 2021
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    WW2 and VEC jeeps had the bolt on steering arms on top of the knuckles. I think those knuckles can be replaced with the later versions having the arms cast into the knuckles. Diff covers can obviously be swapped too. I believe the Dana 25 and 27 have identifying numbers cast into the top of the center section ( a "25" or "27").

    I'm diggin' that truck. Very cool.
     
  8. Jul 3, 2021
    Inferno!

    Inferno! New Member

    NorCal
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    Jan 16, 2021
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    I identified my Dana 25 by a casting number on the center section. See pic. BD513539-5BD9-467A-89C4-66AE8B309E3D.jpeg
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  9. Jul 3, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    In this pic, that axle looks way too wide to be sourced from a CJ. Especially the “short” side. I’m thinking it’s from a wagon or pickup.

    upload_2021-7-3_7-2-38.jpeg
     
  10. Jul 3, 2021
    Inferno!

    Inferno! New Member

    NorCal
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    Does your axle have a “25” or a “27” cast in it?
     
  11. Jul 3, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    You may be right, but also wondering if the lack of leaf spring mount and shock etc gives the illusion of a longer tube on that short side. Guess a tape measure would be worth checking out width.
     
    Inferno! likes this.
  12. Jul 3, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Looks like it has the little 9" CJ brakes though...
     
  13. Jul 3, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Looking up the specs, a Model A has 56" track width and the tires look about right in the fenders. An MB has a track of 48". Given the large offset of the wheels, it's probably a MB/CJ front axle.
     
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