'73 CJ5 Rear Axle Identification - Dana 44?

Getting around to checking the differentials on my '73 CJ5 project and according to Chilton the front is a Dana 30 (it looks like a Dana 30) and the rear is an "AMC 8 7/8 in. ring gear". But it looks like a Dana 44. Are they one in the same?
Both differentials are limited slip and 4.27 ratio. I assume the LS is factory? How good is the factory limited slip? Also if they're original, with no telling how many miles..how can I tell if they need new clutches? Running down the road everything sounds okay but I haven't taken it off road yet.
Engine is a 232 I6 (soon to be 360), transmission T18 and transfer case is a Spicer 20.

 

Check out the info here. I don't think it would be anything other than a 44 but other here may be able to verifuy that.

http://www.jeeptech.com/axle/d44.html

Mike

 

Chiltons is wrong. It's a Dana 44. The AM Corporate axle didn't start until 1976.

There's a factory manual for 1972 at www.c104.net - not many differences between 1972 and 1973; clutch linkage, vapor recovery, heater controls, paint... that's all I can think of. If you can afford it, I'd suggest purchasing a reprint of the 1973 factory manual.

Rear LSD was a factory option, and was only a Dana Trac-Lock. Several here have broken the Trac-Lock - I broke my Trac-Lock's spider gears. The Trac-Lock was never very agressive to start, and wears out quickly - if it's original, it's almost guaranteed to be worn out. If you have something else, it's a significant upgrade. Only an open front was factory. You're fortunate to have 4.27s. Pics would be good to ID your LSDs/lockers.

 

Thanks Tim. I haven't pulled the differential covers yet but will soon and will upload pictures. For what it's worth I pulled the filler plug on the front diff and you can only put your finger in about an inch before you hit something. No idea what that indicates. Both front and rear do turn the same direction when you jack it up and spin one wheel. I'm reworking virtually everything on the jeep so it's always a question of what to work on next. You're obviously right on the rear being a Dana 44. The rear axle had a limited slip lube tag on it and both of them have the 4.27 tag...plus a lot of other numbers (5350864......47-11)that I don't have a clue what they mean. I assume the Trac-Lock uses clutches...and can be rebuilt...is worth rebuilding?

 

the traclok is junk. its actually weaker than an open differential and what little limited slip it offers will not last for many miles. if you want a limited slip unit, the best is the powerlock. clutches can be had for the traclok, but it is a total pain in the *** to rebuild and not worth it in my opinion. the powerlock can be rebuilt also and is rebuilt very easily, is much stronger than the tracklok, and offers serious limited slip. my advice is look for a 30 spline powerlock to fit 4.27 gears, find a locker, or get an open differential.

the 47-11 on your tag indicates the teeth on the ring gear and the teeth on the pinion gear, respectively. 47/11 = 4.27.

 

Got the little hoopy on the road for the first time today. Put 15 or 20 miles on it. Went down the road good, but the 4.27 gears don't make for highway cruising. Puttering around the house the 232 seemed to have good power...but it was all in the gearing. It gets wound up tight at 55 or so and gets real anemic in fourth gear. The 360 will be a welcome change.
--ran the numbers on rpm and it wasn't tight (2500 or so rpm) just weak.