Sorry if this is a silly question, but what is the differences between a Dana 30, Dana 44 and a Dana 60?

 

Short answer= Strength and physical size of components (ring & pinion, axle shaft size, ect)

You'll find Dana 30, 35, 44's in smaller vehicles like Jeeps and smaller or light duty pickups. Then you'll find Dana 60, 70 and I think there's a Dana 80 in 3/4 and 1 ton pickups.

 

Is 30 or 44 or 60 a measurement in centemeters, like the width of the axle?

 

Nope it's just a "model or series" is what those #'s refer to. The dana 44 and 60 have been around along time. They have many different width dimensions that they came in. You'll even find that the location on the differential is different on a dodge pickup vs a ford pickup.

 

The ring gear diameter. D30 is smallest, followed by D44 then D60. Everything else just has to be bigger to house the larger components.

 

so how bout this........Is there a difference between the TJ dana 30 front axle and the JK dana 30 front axle?

 

That's an interesting question. The Dana 44 in the JK, is referred to as the Dana 44 Heavy Duty Next Generation. At one point it was considered listing it as a Dana 45.

 

I read somewhere that the military requirement for the jeep is that they come with Dana 60.

 

I'm not sure if this pertains to people with the 30 or not, but I'm currently in the market for some new driveshafts, and in talking with Bill over at Coast Driveline and Gear for quite some time, apparently no driveshaft for any other Jeep in the past, OEM or aftermarket, will fit the 07-08 Rubicons because of the number of splines (I think on the pinion?) required for this new 44. Just a little FYI.

 

Not silly at all, I've wondered the same thing