Dana 44 for a G-body

At the Grand Prairie TX swap meet yesterday, a guy had a G-body Dana 44 for sale. He wanted $1,500 and it was 4.10 gears so I didn't even think about buying it...because that is 9" money, but these are a really nice pieces if you run across one.

I looked it over close to see if someone made their own, but it was definitely a factory casting with G-body ears.

Should have got pictures, but I was in disbelief at first, then moved on before I realized it was real.

My '89 Grand Wagoneer had one and it was a little noisy when it got old, but I would prefer it with a manual trans to anything but a 9" or 12 bolt in the "reasonably priced rear axle" category.

The swap meet one was cleaned up with aftermarket cover and looked good.. but $800 good and not $1,500 good.

With 1/2 the attendance of the Grand Prairie swap meet speaking native Spanish (the locals call it Prairie Grande), I wish they used their connections and brought more Mexican market parts over the border. I would love to find a Mexican market 3.27:1 axle for my XK8. I realize car parts are not as lucrative as bundled contraband, but i doubt customs will turn you away at the border with a truck bed full of junkyard axles.

The rear still had drums on it, so I didn't get a good look at the brakes.

The potential for shock loading from manual transmissions is my guess why Mexican models used them and no US model did. GM figured no manual, no need.