2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Anyone build up a Dana 80?

[JDKammin]

I want to do a little truck pulling. I want to strengthen the axles in order to reduce problems. I can only find a Detroit Locker for 4. 10 and up gears, an ARB or Detroit Truetrac. Any suggestions? I was wanting to stay with my 3. 54 gears, since I still plan on street driving this truck. Thanks.

 

[BDaugherty]

West Coast Differentials: Ring & Pinion Gears, Posi's, Lockers & Axle Parts



Try West Coast Differentials. I'm not real certain on the availability of gears and lockers for the Dodge D80... mainly because I don't know just exactly how different it is from the regular D80. Depending on your level of street driving, a spool would really be the way to go. I've used Superior, CTM, and Dutchman axles in the past and I've found them all to be very good. One last thing is that you will have to built a truss to mount your traction bar(s) to. If you mount them only to the axle tubes and not to the differential housing, you are just asking to spin the housing on the tubes.

 

[SRath]

If you do a search here, you should find the info on using a Dana 70 Detroit Locker Carrier. You MUST use the HD version and it will need the ring gear bolt holes enlarged and retapped and it will also need some minor machining or shimming on the carrier bearing journals.

I have not done it, but it sounds fairly straightforward.

Another option, if you have an open stock carrier, is to install a PowerTrax locker. They work much like a Detroit does and they install like a Detroit does in a GM Corporate 14 bolt. They will NOT install in a factory carrier with a factory limited slip.

Check out these videos at Richmond Gear: POWERTRAX BY RICHMOND VIDEO DEMOS

 

[BILLVO]

If you have a limited slip now just restack the clutch pack so it is tighter like they are supposed to be and it will act almost like a locker. I have done this to a few limited slip carriers with excellent luck. Do a search there is info on restacking the LS carrier clutches here.



The power trax is ok for street use and light duty but isn't a good choice for high power and extreme use like sled pulling.

 

[JDKammin]

SRath, I did a search and cannot come up with a post that describes what needs to be done, in detail.

 

[SRath]

BILLVO,

No limited slip even comes close to being "like a locker". Go to that PowerTrax video I posted a link to and you will see an old 2wd Ford pickup with one locker absolutely humiliate a Dodge 4x4 with "limited slips" in BOTH axles. As soon as one wheel is on slick stuff or in the air, it's "Game Over" for any limited slip.

If I could not afford an OX or ARB locker for my front axle (and I can't), I would consider a limited slip for steering ability. But in a rear axle, a locker is the only way to go if you like to go where other trucks can't. I would have 3-wheel drive for sure, and something akin to 4-wheel drive on occassion with a locker in the rear and a limited slip up front.

Open diffs and 4wd means you really only have 2wd (one front and one rear). Limited slips in both axles might get you what I call 2 1/2 wheel drive. But you won't ever put full power to both wheels on the same axle in limited traction situations with limited slips. A limited slip will let you down when you need it most.

 

[BILLVO]

BILLVO,



No limited slip even comes close to being "like a locker". Go to that PowerTrax video I posted a link to and you will see an old 2wd Ford pickup with one locker absolutely humiliate a Dodge 4x4 with "limited slips" in BOTH axles. As soon as one wheel is on slick stuff or in the air, it's "Game Over" for any limited slip.

I said "ALMOST" In my post. I called and talked to power trax about it a couple years ago and they told me flat out it is for stock rigs only and it will not hold up to added power and or extreme use.

I am not talking factory LS units, I was talkjing about restacked units.

After restacking my ls diffs they squeal going around corners and pop and snap like a locker with some oils. If I had a the full weight of a trailer on one wheel and one off the ground and pouring the coals to it Sure it will slip but I guarantee it will not let anyone down when restacked correctly. I don't use it for rock crawling though.

 

[SRath]

Jack one wheel up and leave the other on the ground. I'll bet you can't even drive off the jack.

 

[BILLVO]

I don't think you realize how tight you can get them with a restack.



I worked at a gear shop for about 3 years so I know a bit about this subject.

 

[BDaugherty]

You would not like a clutch style limited slip in your front axle. It will feel like a spool through your steering wheel. Also, Powertrax makes what they call a locker than is nothing more than clutch packs that have been stacked with so much friction that it acts like a spool. Why they would make such a product, however, is beyond me.



Also, I have restacked the LS in the rear of my truck and while it's not like the spools and Detroit lockers than I've run in the past, I can stop on the side of the road with one tire on pavement and one on the dirt. When I dump the clutch in second or third, it will spin both of them.

 

[SRath]

PowerTrax is NOT a "tight stacked" limited slip! I have one for a Dana 80. There are no clutches.

Where do these guys and their bs come from?

You're thinking of a Powerlok limited slip. Big difference.

Try crossing a narrow washout at an angle (so you don't slam your grill into the opposite bank or get hung up on your frame) and see what happens when you get one front and one rear wheel momentarily hanging in the air (opposite corners). Be sure to have someone follow you with a lockered 2wd to pull you back to earth and traction, 'cause your limited slip will literally leave you hanging right there. I know. That EXACT situation happened to my Dodge with it's "tight stacked" limited slip rearend. Pushing up huge piles of snow with the plow has given the same results on many occasions. The wheel with the LEAST resistance (traction) gets the power. That's the wheel in the air. It doesn't help move you at all, but spins madly. The other one on terra-firma won't even turn. And tapping your brakes won't help one bit, as some guys like to claim.

Try the same test the guys in the video did. Find an old section of roller conveyer and put one side of your truck on it to simulate near-zero traction and the other side on dry ground. You will find the same thing happens as the videos show.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

How is a PowerTrax for daily driving, turning corners in town, tire wear, etc. ? Does it engage smoothly, is the engagement abrupt?

The Dana 70 was open diff in my truck but I had a PowerLok installed, with the plates stacked for good traction. So I'm guessing I'm SOL unless I can get the carrier back from the guy who installed the PowerLok. I have the axle out again after only 50k miles, the clutches wore out really fast, maybe from all the town driving I do. Now I'm looking for something without clutch plates that hopefully has good manners and goes about its job as unnoticed as possible.

Vaughn