I have a debate with a buddy and was wondering if anyone could give us the correct answer. On my 83 CJ5 I have a Dana 44 rear axle, the debate is can you flip this axle so that it is sitting like a high pinion and then take the gears from a reverse rotation 44 and make it work so that drive line angle is to a minimum with a spring over conversion.  

you can flip it, but the pinion bearing will burn up as the oil passage isn't machined for running upside down. other than that swap the brakes side to side so the bleeders on the wheel cyl. are at the top...i suppose if you are trailering or short tripping you could pack it with some good grease...?  

Hey thanks I knew that there was at least one thing that we hasnt discussed, I wonder since converting the gears to reverse rotation with the flip wouldn't it be possible to also use a diff cover for the same to keep the oil in the pinion bearing. I have many questions to this and just trying to get ideas. Thanks for the help.  

I found this in an old article......



Is a reverse-cut housing the same as a regular housing except that it's mounted upside-down?
Found this in an old article on here....

Reverse-cut or high-pinion housings have their very own design and require special ring-and-pinion gears. Therefore, you can't use a standard-cut (low-pinion) gearset in a high-pinion housing. And, no, you can't flip a standard cut and expect it to behave like a high-pinion housing. High-pinion axlehousings have different oiling passages cast in them for pinion lube than the low-pinion housing's, so flipping a regular housing means the pinion bearings won't get lubricated and the bearings will basically weld together. And, worse yet, it will rotate the tires in the wrong direction.  

I have been wondering if someone would find the right tech and be able to answer my question. I have really been sceptical about this. All the tech info I have been able to find, even going back through old magazine's have not been able to clearly answer my question. Thanks for the help it has been helpful.