Dana 44 10 spline/19 spline?

I need to know how to tell the difference between the two when looking for a new axle for my jeep. Heading out tomorrow to look at one for sale locally. Have 1968 CJ5

 

If your current rear axle is stock (how can you really know) it should be 19 spline. As far as I know, there is no way to tell from an external examination. You have to pull a shaft and count the splines. Unless you know the entire history of your Jeep, that's the only way to know for sure.

 

you may be able to remove just the rear cover and see the splined end of the axle shaft engaging the side gears, or count the splines that the side gears accept. that should work if the axle you are looking at has an open differential. (a small mirror may help too as it's going to be a tough angle to see) if there is any kind of locker/limited slip in there it will be much more difficult (if not impossible) to determine the spline count without removing the shafts.

pulling the rear cover is a lot easier than pulling an axle shaft, so i'd try that first. just watch out for the gear lube!