Dana 44 Truetrac Install with OEM 3.73 Gears
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
Dana 44 Truetrac Install with OEM 3.73 Gears
Well, I'm deep into the install of a Truetrac in the rear Dana 44 of my 2014 Wrangler. The ring gear bolts in the stock carrier/ring gear setup are 1/2". The holes in the Truetrac are 3/8 and 7/16 (dual drilled) I am keeping the stock ring and pinion gears so I have to use the 1/2" bolts.
I tried drilling out the holes every way I could think of. I tried a piloted high speed steel reamer in a drill press and the Truetrac laughed at it. I then burned through 3 high quality carbide drill bits (not Harbor Freight) in the same drill press with no luck. I dropped the Truetrac off with a buddy that works in a machine shop and he is going to chuck it up in a CNC machine and do the job right. Hope to have it back Monday night.
Don't let anyone BS you about drilling one of these Truetracs with average shop equipment. They are much harder than people realize and will require special equipment if you intend to reuse the stock ring and pinion. I have heard that aftermarket gears have hole sizes that will work with the holes in the Truetrac, but that's not in the cards for me. I hope this won't be an issue when I do my front Dana 30.
On a happier note, installing my Truck Lites was a breeze and they are awesome.
Happy New Year
I tried drilling out the holes every way I could think of. I tried a piloted high speed steel reamer in a drill press and the Truetrac laughed at it. I then burned through 3 high quality carbide drill bits (not Harbor Freight) in the same drill press with no luck. I dropped the Truetrac off with a buddy that works in a machine shop and he is going to chuck it up in a CNC machine and do the job right. Hope to have it back Monday night.
Don't let anyone BS you about drilling one of these Truetracs with average shop equipment. They are much harder than people realize and will require special equipment if you intend to reuse the stock ring and pinion. I have heard that aftermarket gears have hole sizes that will work with the holes in the Truetrac, but that's not in the cards for me. I hope this won't be an issue when I do my front Dana 30.
On a happier note, installing my Truck Lites was a breeze and they are awesome.
Happy New Year
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Florida
Lube and cool it!
Drilling should be done at a machine shop. The drill bit needs a constant flow of cooling/lubricating fluid to prevent overheating the Truetrac and losing its hardness. You really should not try this at home.
Even if you successfully drill the proper sized holes in the precise locations, you still risk weakening or worse warping the Truetrac.
Even if you successfully drill the proper sized holes in the precise locations, you still risk weakening or worse warping the Truetrac.
