What was the Spline Count

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:21 pm

of the rear Dana 44 on my 1952 M38A1?

circleburner12 · Post by **circleburner12** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 3:15 pm

dan if you dont find your answer, i can check tomarrow on mind when i get back to the shop.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:04 pm

yeah, I'd appreciate it!

Post by **wesk** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:10 pm

Dan,

Pick a spline. Pinion, axle inboard or axle outboard.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:20 pm

I'm thinking about putting a lockright locker in there. It's the same model the Marines used.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:46 pm

The posi used on USMC M38A1's was the Trac-Loc not a Lockright. The Marine M38A1's ordered from Kaiser in the 60's came with the same Trac-Loc used in their CJ5. Those would have been tapered 10 spline axles and I believe any modern replacement you are going to find is probably for the flanged 19 spline late 44 axle.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:44 pm

They make a Lockright 10 spline locker. Supposedly it is for the M38A1. what is the difference between that and the tracklock?

Post by **wesk** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:50 pm

You'll have to compare your lockright to a Kaiser supplied Trac-Loc. The info on the Trac-Loc is in any of the late 50's and up Willys/Kaiser shop manuals for the CJ's. I've never fooled with a Lockright. If it is made for a tapered axle, 10 spline Spicer/Dana 44 it will work.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:57 pm

I'll email the supplier. I did a quick check on the TrackLoks, and the reviews are almost universally bad.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:15 pm

Only bad for the folks that don't maintain them correctly.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:23 pm

so, in your opinion, would I be better off getting one? I meticulously maintain my vehicles, and definitely don't want this for heavy four wheeling. I know it won't be completely authentic, but I want to try for as much as possible.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:43 pm

Your 52 M38A1 did not come with any locker in 1952 even if delivered to the Marines. Only the mid 1960's Marine procurement contracts included the request for the Trav-Loc.

So if your intention is for an accurate and correct resto leave the standard 44 in the jeep.

If you feel you must have a locker for some reason like serious heavy off road use then by all means get a modern new locker with a warranty on it.

9 out of 10 Trac-Locs for sale have been rode hard and put away wet with very little if any care given them.