So, I was at the dealer the other day and spied a 4x2 Fronty Nismo with the "new" D44. Remembering the discussions about whether it was going to be a proprietary axle or not I shot a couple of pix to post so that those more knowledgeable about this could comment, and perhaps set the record straight, or at least add more confusion to the topic.

Anyway, here are the pix. Hopefully someone can identify external differences or similarities between Nissan's D44 and other D44s out there.

..
Ricochet;

No, Not all D-44s are the same.
... The D-44s in my 76 Jeep Wagoneer are all metal and can be equipped with Detroit Lockers or ARB air lockers (I have a TrueTrac). The D-44 in our ‘99 Grand Cherokee is aluminum and can not. The axle tube are also crummy.

… I called TrackTech and ARB and they both said the D-44 in the CG were to weak and the case would break with the additional stress. Since our CG was made Dana and Chrysler had a falling out and they don’t use Dana any more as far as I can tell. Did you notice the NASCAR Craftsmen Dodge trucks are no longer sponsored by Dana?

… I feel like a wait and see situation has developed for me. I won’t be trading our ‘99 Frontier in very soon.

Have a good one and CUL.. Don S..

Are the new d44's only in 2 wheel drive Fronty's? I sure hope Nissan keeps the h233b line in the 4x4's.

Thanks for the info Don. I wouldnt be surprised that Dana told Chrysler to take a hike. As you know, motor co's. want to put in the cheapest product they can get away with, and I'm sure Dana didnt want to be known for making a crappy product simply because Chrysler required them to do so (e.g., the d44 in your GC).

I'm sure too that it's hard to determine via exterior pix whether or not this d44 is similar to other d44s out there, and thus interchangeable. Surely someone knows a mechanic in a dealership who is able to get one of these things opened up so we can learn whether or not we will have to continue shelling out 500 bux for R&Ps.

Iceman, I believe the d44 extends throughout the nissan platform when the Nismo package is specified, otherwise the C200 is standard. I think the H233b is on the way out except in the armada or whatever that thing is.

jeep does use Dana still. All of the new frontys/xterras have the d44 rearend. I wish they kept the h233b also. Armada don't have the h233b either, they're independant sus. f/r

The Nissan D44, at least on the Titan, is an oddball 32-spline setup.

The H233B is dead in the USA. The Xterra and Titan get the D44, Frontier gets the D44 or C200, Armada gets the R230, Pathfinder gets the R200.

All I can say is I'm disappointed. Nissan had a really good h233b line with the 9.25" ring gear and all. Switching to a D44 is weaker and it's not going to help our chances of getting affordable h233b gears. I have taken apart both D44's and h233b's and found that the h233b's are extremely well built compared to d44's. In the d44's, bearings, nuts, outers, axle shafts and what have you always tend to be rusted and beat up while the h233b's inners are flawless with absolutely no rust.
Why did Nissan switch to D44's and get rid of their own stuff anyway, it doesn't make sense? Cut costs?

You should compare a H233B to a chevy 12 bolt.. even the owner of the 12bolt laughed at his axle after he saw my 33 spline H233b axle shafts and carrier.


What about gears? I wouldn't doubt it Nissan speced that D44 for their trucks directly from Dana and it was just easier to put it in the D44 family of axles as a label.



isn't 3.13 a little tall for that rear end in the picture above????

Iceman, I agree completely. The only thing wrong with the 233 was the lack of readily available R&Ps. It should come as no surprise that Nissan suits dont understand the product they produce. If they did, Nismo would definitely be more like TRD.

System-F, the ratio in that pic was for the 2wd truck, thus a bit taller than the other option, which I think I saw was only 3.53, or something like that. I searched the nissan site, but cant seem to find any specific info on ratio options.

With 284lb/ft of torque those ratios arent drastically tall.

Hey ricochet, Nissan didn't fix the lack of available gears by using the 44, because they use on oddball 32 spline design. They made it worse, since now there are no gears available for it!

quote:

With 284lb/ft of torque those ratios arent drastically tall.

Regardless the engine still has the same RPM range. I would rather have 4.3s than 3.13s...


just because it's a 32spline we don't know if the carrier or pinion style has changed from the exsisting D44s, but it's a safe bet it has..

Hope I didnt give the impression that the d44 was a better option R&P-wise. That would only be true if the nissan axle was identical to those d44s with less expensive R&P options. To me, the 233 is perfectly fine, save for the $500 R&P sets.

System-F, I agree. Lower ratios for the 4wd is the way to go. If you're driving a 2x4 only on the highway, then 3.13 is a great ratio.

Check this out, I know it's a little off topic but....
Nissan is using a completely new design for the front axle from Dana. It's called the Model 205. Aluminum housing tho Nissan front d44. It would be interesting to see how well this would hold up wheeling. Does any one know if the locking differential for the Titan was ever a h233b?

Yup, the M205 is an oddball, but it's NOT a D44 in any way.
Don't count on ever seeing an aftermarket for it.
Not sure yet what diff is going under the front of the Frontier and Xterra, reckon I ought to take a good look at one next time.

No, the Titan never had an H233B.

...Does any one know if the locking differential for the Titan was ever a h233b?[/QUOTE]

The Titan has the D44 rear end, so no the locking diff wouldn't work in a 233b...