92' d350 axle 3.54 vs 4.10 Also Dana 70 vs 80

[farmer777]

Hi, The differential on my truck just went out. One of the smaller gears shattered. I am planning on swapping out the whole axle with a used one.

Wondering if I should get the same ratio or if I should upgrade.

I currently have the Dana 70 with 3.54 ratio. I don't think it has limited slip, I have gotten it stick to many times.

This is my daily driver most of the time it is empty. But when I use it for towing, I tow a 30' goose neck trailer fully loaded weight wise. I usually tow at least once or twice a week generally around a 180 miles round trip with rolling hills. I haven't noticed my EGT go above 900 going 65. On the steeper hills I sometimes down shift to 4th or drive the whole way in 4th when I am really loaded.

What would the difference be between the 3.54 and the 4.10?

I would like to get one with locking hubs or limited slip since I drive dirt and gravel roads often.


You guys are the experts. Which axle do you recommend?


Thanks,
Joel

[PToombs]

The way you are driving it, I wouldn't go with 4.11's. The engine will rev higher thru the whole band. It sounds like you tow responsibly, using 4th when heavy. If you go to 4.11's, you could probably tow in 5th, but empty you will be wasting fuel with the higher rpms and not loaded driving. I was going to recommend 3.73's, 'cause your EGT's are so low, but you might have a problem towing heavy at that ratio.
I would just replace with 3.54's, and not worry about it!

[dpuckett]

If you dont have the gears to pull what you want to pull, add some more ponies under the hood.

I'd go for a D80 with a 3.54 if you can find one. (No, you cant have mine). Limited slip is nice, but may only get you far enough in to get really stuck. It has also gotten my mom through lots of wet grass and such. I think if you drive sensibly, either one will be a good choice. You will need to figure out the shock/ u-bolt mounts, and shorten the driveshaft about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inch.

DP

[pulltilbroke]

If its possible take the brake lines and the bottom U bolt plates from the donor truck, makes it pretty easy to swap the 80 in

[dpuckett]

You dont even need the brake lines. The line going from the frame/ ABS valve to the brake hose is a direct bolt in. Or were you referring to the lines on the axle itself, between the rubber hose and the wheel cylinders?

U-bolts, plates, and the like make it easier, for sure. I also got the shock mounts, so anything attached to the rear azle is for a 99.

DP

[pulltilbroke]

Yea I meant take all the lines that are on the axle, thats what I did and I took all the plates, Made the swap really easy

[1stgenspivey]

axle your replacing............dually or single? housing in good shape? i have a 93 1 ton dually and i need a rear axle housing. Let me know. thanks

[flashgordon]

Hi, The differential on my truck just went out. One of the smaller gears shattered. I am planning on swapping out the whole axle with a used one.
Wondering if I should get the same ratio or if I should upgrade.

I currently have the Dana 70 with 3.54 ratio. I don't think it has limited slip, I have gotten it stick to many times.

This is my daily driver most of the time it is empty. But when I use it for towing, I tow a 30' goose neck trailer fully loaded weight wise. I usually tow at least once or twice a week generally around a 180 miles round trip with rolling hills. I haven't noticed my EGT go above 900 going 65. On the steeper hills I sometimes down shift to 4th or drive the whole way in 4th when I am really loaded.


Why replace the axle? buy a new spider gears(spider/side gears W/ new shims)kit, and be done with it.................
I didn't brake a gear but the rear end had a lot of play that i traced down to the spiders.When i inguaged my GV overdrive unit it would bang ..............Replaced the the side and spiders...............much less noise when i ingage it now.

Yours could have broked due to to much play in them..................A Dana 80 would be stronger, but the spiders would get you back on the road, untill you found one.


You guys are the experts. Which axle do you recommend?


Thanks,
Joel

Why replace the axle? buy a new spider gears(spider/side gears W/ new shims)kit, and be done with it.................
I didn't brake a gear but the rear end had a lot of play that i traced down to the spiders.When i inguaged my GV overdrive unit it would bang ..............Replaced the the side and spiders...............much less noise when i ingage it now.

Yours could have broked due to to much play in them..................A Dana 80 would be stronger, but the spiders would get you back on the road, untill you find one.

[1stgenspivey]

if you do swap your 70 for an 80 let me now. i would like to snatch that 70 up