Anyone have a GCVW of 20,000#+ on a DANA 70 rear?

[Bug Out]

Curious if anyone here is towing with that weight with a DANA 70 and how is it holding up?



Thanks for your help. Ed

 

[sgriffing]

As far as I know, My rig has towed this trailer since new.

It's registered for 26K and I know I've had it up to at least 22K.

http://www.swampfoxcustoms.com/hot_shot.htm

I haven't had any problems with it (Yet?). The original owner put in a VB and T/C. I have bombed the engine. The rear is STOCK. I am thinking Mag-Hytec cover at the next oil change. The only reason I contemplate going to newer rear is for aftermarket rims.



Did that help?

I babble.....

 

[Bug Out]

DANA 70?

That has a DANA 70 in it? I was pondering towing a 15,000# trailer with mine after i get the DTT trans .



Curious if the Rear end will be ok? If yours is a 70, i'll be fine.

 

[Jim Smith]

Originally posted by Bug Out

Curious if anyone here is towing with that weight with a DANA 70 and how is it holding up?Thanks for your help. Ed

I have a 2001 and I have had no problems. I put in the special heavy duty axle fluid just as a precautionary measure.

 

[Bug Out]

What fluid?

szumigalas, I use LE 607 in my 3500 DANA80.



What type of oil are you using in the 70? thanks

 

[Jim Smith]

Re: What fluid?

Originally posted by Bug Out

szumigalas, I use LE 607 in my 3500 DANA80. I believe I have a Dana rear end in my 2001. American axle is now the new supplier. That being the case the fluid was the Mopar stuff at the dealer. hat type of oil are you using in the 70? thanks

 

[Bug Out]

DANA 70 oil

I just bought it used and don't know what the last owner used.



Going to get a Mag-Hytec cover and , depending on what folks say , use what will give me best prtection under severe towing.



I'll probably use the LE 607 90 w oil again. It seems to do a good job in my 97 1-ton. I tow a 15,000# 5th wheel with it.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Towed for many miles with Mag-Hytec and Amsoil 75-140. Dana 70 is a strong axle.

 

[tgrfan2]

Dana 70

I towed my camper with my 95 185k for many miles with no problem. Not so lucky with the 98. Left carrier bearing tore up at 85k and spun the race costing $2975. I would keep a close check for any sign of metal on the drain plug and have the rear end checked frequently. By the time I heard a noise it was too late.

 

[78repowerwagon]

Most I have hauled on my 78 was 29,500. Usually hauls around 27,000 when hauling grain and around 20,000 the rest of the time. I switched to an 80 over the winter, the 70 is still in good shape just had the chance to upgrade. I run Red Line 75w-140(synthetic).

 

[tgrfan2]

78 Power Wagon

I had a 78 150 4x4 that had a 440 and automatic. Probably the best truck I ever had. Never had to take it back to the dealer. Replaced the starter and brake calipers in 110k. Pulled a tri-axle gooseneck with two Parker grain bins on it. It would gross over 32k when loaded with 350 bushels of wheat. Before I get too much flack, I only pulled that load in low range up to about 50mph.

 

[thaile]

I have the 80 in my truck and am like some of the other guys who have hauled some big loads with these trucks and axles. Probably the most would be around 36 or 37,000. Not for extremely long periods though. Maybe 20 miles to the place and 20 miles back. Defianately want to keep it under 60 because stopping can be hard. They will do it but I wouldn't recomend it unless you have experience with heavy loads and other things.

 

[dseabaugh]

pull 32' 7800# gooseneck on occasion with loads up 15K on it. Gear oil turns black real fast. synthetic lasts Ok. no problem in 4 years other than heads pop off of bolts holding ring gear to carrier. only 300 mile average trips at this load. maybe 4 times a year. .

 

[dan brooks]

Re: Dana 70

Originally posted by tgrfan2

Not so lucky with the 98. Left carrier bearing tore up at 85k and spun the race costing $2975. I would keep a close check for any sign of metal on the drain plug and have the rear end checked frequently. By the time I heard a noise it was too late.

I guess this is a common problem with the D70s. The left carrier bearing on mine spun on the carrier and spit the shims out. We could also see where both races had spun. Fortunately my truck had low miles on it and I caught it early, so the ring and pinion were still good. We were able to put new carrier bearings/races in using Catapillar "bearing lock" to keep it from spinning again, and reset the backlash. We also took a thousandth or two off of each bearing cap to keep the races from spinning again - so far everything is fine. A friend works for a large construction company and they have had several trucks with the same problem, and they've had good success using the same method of repair.



As far as towing with my truck, I haven't been nearly that heavy. I have a small pop-up style cabover (maybe 1500 lbs loaded, if that much) and I flat-tow my Jeep (3500 lbs or so). The previous owner towed a 5th wheel but I have no idea what size.

 

[LarryB]

Re: Dana 70

Originally posted by tgrfan2

I towed my camper with my 95 185k for many miles with no problem. Not so lucky with the 98. Left carrier bearing tore up at 85k and spun the race costing $2975. I would keep a close check for any sign of metal on the drain plug and have the rear end checked frequently. By the time I heard a noise it was too late.

What did it sound like? Mine is starting to get a slight ring/vibe at no load around 40 mph. Barely noticable but there.

 

[tgrfan2]

sound

It was tough to hear. I could hear it best about 40 "playing" with the throttle. It was a noticeable grinding sound and was constant instead of a " rumph- rumph" sound. I still hear a noise, but this is higher pitched and I hope is the ring and pinion gear that was not replaced. I checked the fill plug Friday and only had a little fine metal on it. Guess I will be hearing noises from now on!

 

[LarryB]