I just bought a Dana 44 rear, and I’m trying to decipher the gear ratio tag, and the date code. Gear ratio tag has two lines:

5356949
45 11 4 09

and the date code is 9 17 6B3

Bill of material # is:
603 818 2 = JEEP 44 REAR 1977-79 CHEROKEE CHIEF QUADRA-TRAC dana 44 bill of material # info (http://www.louisvilleoffroad.com/pages.php?pageid=4)

So it has 4.09 ring/ pinion gears?
And what year was it made?

And yes I searched for the last hour on this.
And yes I’m a newbie on Pirate.
And yes I’m installing the 44’s under a Samurai not on a Jeep.

So FLAME away! :flipoff2:

45 11 4 09
So it has 4.09 ring/ pinion gears?


45 is the amount of teeth on the ring.
11 is the amount of teeth on the pinion.
45 divided by 11 = 4.09
So yes, you have a 4.09 ratio gear set.

OK, so we've determined that you've got a 4.10 gear set, but what hasn't been answered is the date coding on the tag? My best shot at 9 17 6B3 knowing how Chevy dates stuff would be... 1979 is the year, 17 is the day of the month, and 6B3 would be, June, second shift, 3rd hour..... If anyone else would like to take stab at it, Go for it. I'm watching Regis after Tequila.... So what do I know? 11:55... Happy New Year.......

WOW! 2 good answers on the first try and no flaming. Man you jeepers are way to nice. :flipoff2:

And happy New Year! :grinpimp: