Time to replace my Ring & Pinion

[BigPapa]

Well, the time has come to replace the R&P in my '98.5 RWD LSD 3.54. I'm @ 350HP, don't tow heavy(much...), no racing or pulling.

There are several options available from several manufacturers and I thought I'd ask the opinion of the TDR knowledge base. As usual, the truck budget is slim, so I don't won't to spend more than necessary.

Here are my options:

• Yukon - $380 (Optional Life Time Warranty for $45)
• OE Dana - $425
• Dana Spicer - $230
• Dana SVL - $150

The fellow at Randy's said the difference between them is basically the finish, which will relate to gear noise and durability, but that they're all the same "strength". I'm really not concerned with gear noise.

 

[NIsaacs]

I would go with genuine oem Dana parts, they just fit better and set up easier. Is it a 70 or 80? Do you need clutches? Here is a link, there are others around.

https://torqueking.com/product/40288/qu40288-dana-70-3-54-ratio-ring-and-pinion-set/

https://torqueking.com/product/40314/qu40314-3-54-ring-amp-pinion-kit/

 

[Cummins12V98]

Personally I would look for a 01-02 rear diff with disk brakes!!!

 

[BigPapa]

Well, I went with the Spicer SVL gears, Dana clutches for the Power Lock, and Timpken bearings. Setup went well and patterns look great. The inner pinion bearing was severely pitted and the fiber plates were shot. The rest of the bearings showed wear but weren’t pitted like that pinion bearing.

 

[Joe Mc]

Nice patterns!!!

 

[GAmes]

Scott, what oil have you been using?

 

[BigPapa]

Schaefer Supreme 75W90.

 

[GAmes]

I heard on the radio today that class 8 tractor differentials only need oil changes every 500k. I've been changing mine at 50k intervals, but sent in a sample the last time I had 50k and it came back good. Increasing to 75k and will likely send another sample. 7 qts of Royal Purple is a lot more expensive than an OA.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Torque King has a tech article, Dana rears are common for that pitting on the bearings, looks like they pretty much recommend 125K inspection and replacement if needed. I had my 2001 Dana 80 bearings replaced at 222K and they were ugly like in your photo also. Rear outer wheel bearings pit out on mine around 75K-100K too, having now replaced both outer bearings at least twice with the clock just past 300K. I guess when I get to around 350K it will be time to see if the rear needs gone through again. FWIW, I change oil regularly, no deep water and run synthetic gear lube, formally Amsoil and last 100k or so Schaffer's. I run pretty heavy at around 8K all the time as a work truck, BUT I don't think I have ever grossed with trailer over 13K in 19 years. The Dana 80 has been the biggest maintenance issue on the truck, looks big and tough but apparently subject to wear even without what I would call anything resembling abuse.

 

[GAmes]

The Dana 80 has been the biggest maintenance issue on the truck, looks big and tough but apparently subject to wear even without what I would call anything resembling abuse.

I've seen the exact opposite. My D80 is the only original piece of the drivetrain. I'm at 8000 pounds all the time and towing up to 13,500 pounds most of the time.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

@GAmes good to hear, I do have to wonder if mine had issues from get go? The Torque King tech article does seem to indicate 125K is a point where many Dana axles require bearing replacement, so who knows. Not mentioned above, I had to replace the pinion seal for at least the 2nd time also, most recently just a couple weeks ago, unless I missed some documentation, it made it only about 95k, had to sleeve the pinion stub both times due to a groove wearing in it. It just seems about every 50K or so it something else is failing. Since the "rebuild" at 222K, it has had a whine related to speed around 45 MPH, suspect the shop didn't set it up right...

 

[Ozymandias]

I heard on the radio today that class 8 tractor differentials only need oil changes every 500k. I've been changing mine at 50k intervals, but sent in a sample the last time I had 50k and it came back good. Increasing to 75k and will likely send another sample. 7 qts of Royal Purple is a lot more expensive than an OA.

That's correct but their Diffs are way bigger, turn slower and have waaaaay more Oil in it.
Not directly comparable.

But your way sounds good to me, do samples and act according to the results.

 

[KATOOM]

That's correct but their Diffs are way bigger, turn slower and have waaaaay more Oil in it.
Not directly comparable.

I just want to make the correlation with this statement in regards to all those prior Banks Diff Cover threads where people argued that oil volume was pointless...
I'm not sure why anyone would argue that an aftermarket cover which offers more fluid capacity and better cooling is not worth having.

 

[Ozymandias]

I just want to make the correlation with this statement in regards to all those prior Banks Diff Cover threads where people argued that oil volume was pointless...
I'm not sure why anyone would argue that an aftermarket cover which offers more fluid capacity and better cooling is not worth having.

Well, of course it's the whole package that I mentioned above, the more Oil is only one thing in it.
But yes I think it helps to have a bigger cover for more oil if one wants to extend the oil change intervals.

 

[KATOOM]

Well, of course it's the whole package that I mentioned above, the more Oil is only one thing in it.
But yes I think it helps to have a bigger cover for more oil if one wants to extend the oil change intervals.

Lets hope that none of the mindless Banks followers dont see your post...

 

[Ozymandias]

Lets hope that none of the mindless Banks followers dont see your post...

I see your point, because they praise it as THE SOLUTION.
And that's not what it is.

I run a standard size HD Cover, and used it offroad.

 

[GAmes]

I installed a MagHytec cover over a million miles ago. I'm a believer in cooler/additional oil.