Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Allusive Locker???

[marksmith]

I have heard several differant stories about lockers for the Dana 80 in my truck. I heard that a 35 spline loc-rite or No-slip is available for it. I call Randy's, and a few other sources and they say "Nope, but I may be able to get you a trac-loc limited slip for 7bills" So what is the deal? Is the axles 35 or 37 splines? The powrtrax website says its a 37. I guess I could go pull the axles and count for myself, but I have heard more votes for 35 splines. and I Really don't want to go through the hassle. And WHO has lockers or decent limited slips for it. Forgive me but when I searched this very topic, I was presented with several pages of reading material that still has me wondering what is up. Anyway sorry if this is a little confusing, and thanks for the help.



If I get my block heater figured out and a locker in my pickup by Christmas I will be a very happy person.



Thanks again

Mark

 

[UKRugbyman77]

Mark,

I posed this question sometime back and was told that ARB Air Locker was a good choice. I don't know if that helps. I never took the plunge and spent the dough.

 

[rspinks]

Apparently we've got a Dana 80 center (11" ring gear) but Dana 70 axle tubes and 35 spline shafts. I thought I heard something about using a Dana 70 Detroit Locker and modifying it for the 80?



Good info: http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/axle/286RBI_specs.html



Edit: I think the D80 ring gear is actually 11. 25" diameter (not 11. 0) based on the axle designation 286RBI (286mm) and my service manual as well.

 

[mopars1]

I have the Dana 80 "Dodge" version and in fact it does have the 35 spline axles in it. I didn't research it but did install a Powertrax No-Slip unit and it never did work (it fit but did not deliver). It was unfortunate but too late when I finally called the manufacturer and found out that Richmond Gear had bought out Powertrax just a week before. I took the unit out and shipped it back. I was told the unit was machined wrong. I asked for a "good replacement" and they stated they were not available at that time, and did not know when they would be available. I finally received a refund back from Summit Racing after three months of haggeling with them and Richmond Gear. I have no problems with Richmond Gear and at the end they handled it in the best way possible. The problem seems to be Powertrax did all the R&D and then they had up to four manufacturers making the parts for them. They had no "in house" manufacturing, so there is a great instance where some parts may not fit properly. They might have manufacturing company #1 making this part and manufacturing company #2 making that part and they just didn't fit together properly etc for the rest of the manufacturers. I was told that Richmond Gear was getting all the tooling together to make all the parts themselves in house. I believe that when this happens the product may work properly I hope it does happen. I need a good locker for my 2wd vehicle. Sorry to go on and on, I just wanted a unit that fit in the open carrier that WORKED!

 

[rspinks]

Hmmm, sounds like a problem for Powertrax I hope Richmond will straighten things out. According to links below there is a Detroit Locker and a Truetrac limited slip (!) available for the Dana 80, only for 4. 10 and up gears however. ARB has an air locker for Dana 80 3. 73 and down. I see Tractech has an Electrac device now, looks like a Truetrac limited slip but with an electrically operated locking override. No relay in the elctric circuit so amp draw would have to be very small. If it proves reliable this will be a great device.



http://www.tractech.com/WhatsNew.htm

http://www.arb.com.au/arb_air locker.htm

 

[jmadden]

Mark -- try Reider Racing (www.reiderracing.com). Don't know how many models they have that will fit the D80, but they do show a Detroit Locker for both the 37 and 35 spline D80. A little more work to install than a lock-rite, but from all reports virtually indestructable. Don't pricing for your particular application, but I think the Detroit for the Dana-70 is about $550... D-80 is probably close to that.



Good luck.



jm

 

[jmadden]

rspinks -- the Electrac sounds like the unit currently going in the Jeep Rubicon... looking at your links suggests this is correct since it is available for the Dana 44 (found in the Rubicon). Within a few months info should be available on how it is holding up since Rubicon owners seem likely to make the unit work.



thanks for the scoop... may have to watch for a D-70 or D-60 application.



jm

 

[rspinks]

jm you're probably right about the Rubicon so the 4x4 crowd will definitely hammer the Dana 44 Electrac. If it is based on a Truetrac and the Truetrac is available for the Dana 80 then hopefully the Dana 80 Electrac isn't far behind.



Rich

 

[cscott]

You might want to try the guys at DTS.



http://www.drivetrainspecialists.com/



I recently spoke with them. They said there should be a tag on one of the diff cover bolts or stamped into one of the axel tubes.



If you give them that info they can tell you what is available for your truck.



Good luck.



Craig

 

[tarussell]

In answer to what other LSD's are available - Dana also offers a Power-Lok for the Dana 80. Every P/L that I have ever seen has worked GREAT - especially if the clutches and friction disc's are stacked in an aggressive order.

If buying new, a Detroit Locker would probabley be cheaper than the P/L though.

I have usually been impressed with the prices at Randy's and they usually have good stock.



Thomas

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

DANA/SPICER



Dana manufactures the famous Power-Lok and Trac-Lok clutch-type limited-slips, which have been factory options in both front and rear Dana axles since the 1950s. The Power-Lok is the more durable, thanks to its two-piece case and four-pinion mate gears (compared to the Trac-Lok's one-piece case and two-pinion setup). However, the Dana 70 application is the only model that's currently in production, and replacement parts such as the cross shafts and spider gears for other models -- particularly for the Dana 44 and Dana 60 -- can be hard to find. Fortunately, Precision Gear now has Power-Loks in stock for 19-or 30-spline Dana 44s and 30- or 35-spline Dana 60s. On the other hand, Trac-Loks are still plentiful. For more information about Dana 44 and 60 Power-Loks, contact Precision Gear, Dept. OR, 12351 Universal Dr. , Taylor, MI 48180; (313) 946-0524, (313) 946-2981 fax. For Trac-Lok information, see your local Dana/Spicer distributor or call (800) 729-3262.



An exerpt from a 4x4 magazine. I have a power lok but have not installed it yet.

 

[tarussell]

Big Daddy T - The Trac-Loc for the Dana 80 is also a two piece case and looks very much like a P/L while all other Trac-Loc's are a one piece case design. To the best of my knowledge Dana is still offering the P/L for the 80 and 70 axles in current production.

 

[Pat@BD]

I have run a Lockright a powerlocker a trac loc and a detroit locker. If you are running on the street the only way to go is with the ARB. I know they are lots of money, but being able to turn it off is the only way to go. The detroit works just as well, but its street driving characteristics will drive you nuts. I am going to run ARBs in my new diffs. Just my 02

 

[dezrat]

ARB for me

I would have had an ARB a long time ago if they made a unit for the Dana 80 with 35 spline axles. A open differential dually is not much fun even in 4wd.

Now they finally make it so as soon as Christmas is over I will get one installed.

They are not cheap! Around $853 for the unit only. Then a compressor or air bottle.

Since I plan on a Kelderman rear unit soon,The ARB compressor is what I will use.

I have one in my TJ and I am really happy with it.

 

[JTMcCracken]

Hey kantdrive55, your talking about an empty or lightly loaded truck I would guess? I find the Detroit to be almost unnoticeable in a fully loaded truck. JTMcC

 

[Pat@BD]

I would expect that in a loaded situation you wouldnt notice the ratcheting as much as you would unloaded. With the true detroit locker if it isnt clanging and banging it isnt working right.

 

[JTMcCracken]

I've used the "true" Detroit in empty trucks and the bucking and banging is very noticable, especially backing or turning tight, I've also used the "true" Detriot in trucks that are at max weight all the time and the Detroit's behavior, in my opinion, is much less noticable. If you put 4000 lbs in the bed, it really is a lot harder to make the back end jump around. Happy X-mas, JTMcC.

 

[tarussell]

I'm with JTMcCraken on the fully loaded with a Detroit. I had one in my 1983 GMC K-3500 Crew Cab Dually and loved it. Empty it had all the normal sounds and clunks , but loaded it was very tame. In my opinion the trade off was WELL worth it. No air lines to worry about / no clutches to wear out / just put gear oil in and forget about it until next oil chnge interval. They will last forever - even when abussed. In fact I took the Detroit out when I got ride of that truck and am saving it for my Dodge Dana 80 if/when the Trac-Loc gives too many problems.

I like most all the L/S's and the ARB but IMHO the Detroit is king of durrability !!!Thomas

 

[rspinks]

I agree about the detroit, had one in my last 5spd regular cab. If you came to a stop, turned sharp and accelerated onto another road it sort of got 'stuck' a bit. As you accelerated away and got some throttle in 3rd gear suddenly BANG it would make a loud pop, the truck would jerk to one side and pedestrians would stare. It was kind of fun sometimes but must have been hard on the axleshafts. The locker traction is fantastic though.



I'm hung up on that Electrac device, I think it would offer the benefits of an ARB but instead of an open/locker combo it would be LSD/locker. Plus no compressor, airlines and seals. Does anyone know what is in the Jeep Rubicon axles?

 

[Sled Puller]

I would caution against the Detroit- indestrucatble, yes, but it is a pain on the street!

Also, in the Dana 3:54, installing the Detroit, I lost my anti brake lock up gear, and had to cut my Mag Hytec dipstick off.



I wrote a letter to Trach Tech, bugging them about the E locker for the 60 up front, no answer, been a week, guess they could give a ****.