So I have 2 dana 44 front axles. One with the vacumm disconect aand one without. Can I put the axle left from the nondisconect into the one with the disconnect? The transfercase shifter I have does not have provision for the vacumm operation. Thanks Moparts

I think so but, the one piece axle housing is considered stronger. Also, depending on year, the CAD axle has the support bearings in different locations, some in the tube, some in the spindle. The one piece shaft needs it in the spindle.

Alternatively, you can put the CAD unit into permanent lock pretty easily.

Sounds easier to put the CAD in perminent lock. How would I do that? Thanks for the reply.

Vehicle info may help, Is it a full time TC? What are you trying to achieve?

I have swapped in a few cad lock D44s into trucks that did not have a cad lock D44 in it.

What I've found is with the cad locked into the lock position, on dry pavement, with a sharp turn (wheel as hard to one side as possible) you will get some wheel hop from the inner front tire. It sounds and feels bad, but I've not had any long term issues (when it starts bouncing one tends to automatically not turn as sharp). You don't have that issue with the cad unlocked, but you also don't have a front axle drive without the cad locked in.

I have locked the cad lock in by simply removing the lock housing, and sliding the coupler towards the lock position, and replacing the lock housing so the pins hold the coupler to the locked side. I've not ever had an issue doing that, but my son tells me he has read that you are suppose to build a block to hold the coupler into the lock position. Your choice.

The cad lock housing is 4 bolts, using the slid to lock or unlock the coupler is a 5 minute change that can often be done without jacking the truck up. I've only ever lost a few drops of gear lube through the lock or unlock housing process, so that is not an issue. One can unlock the coupler during the summer months if he doesn't intend to go off road or doesn't believe he will need the front axle drive through the summer, then lock it through the winter.

The truck is a 1990 w250 Im not sure if the front axle is stock or not. I have lockout front hubs so as far as I know I would get no hop when they are unlocked.
It doesnt get driven in snow or mud much. Just want to be able to use the 4 wheel if I need it. Thank you guys for the replies.

Ok so a 90 axle would have had CAD and drive flanges at the wheels. Someone added the locking hubs. It may or may not have the CAD locked out already.

As for the method of locking the CAD, the above works but relies on the detent holding it in position. I use a different approach. The fork is held to the shift rail by 2 E clips, I'll push the fork towards the diaphragm, remove the accessible clip, slid the fork away from the diaphragm and reinstall the clip. At this point, it can't disengage unless something really bad happens.

After modification, you'll have to move the collar on the axle shafts to engage both shafts. A screwdriver and the ability to rotate the shafts is needed.

This is easier to do than explain and way easier than swapping shafts.

I looked it up in the dana info and it shows the 44 (79-89)with out the cad. The other one(85-93) has the cad. If you have locking hubs you won't have the cad. If you can get the BOM #'s it would tell you what they are.

That information is not all correct. 85 was the first year for CAD. 75-79 Was full time. 80-84 had automatic locking hubs. There were some 80-84 that had manual locking hubs. 85-93 had CAD. Locking hubs were easily installed on the 85-93 with CAD.

This.

It's quite common for folks to install lockouts and disable the CAD system. Mainly because it's cheaper than fixing the CAD.

Thanks for all the info and help. Looks like I have some work to do.

There is a manually operated CAD unit available,uses a cable vs the vacuum unit. I'll see if I can find a link.

A couple options:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175503187891?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pos-400?

That looks like a great way to solve the problem.. Thanks Moparts for the replies