Axle question?

[mazdarotary]

Hey guys,



I may be jumping back into the 1st gen Cummins world with the purchase of a 83 crew cab Cummins conversion,but I have a few questions regarding an axle problem with the truck. The truck has an 89 W350 Dana 70 axle swapped into the rear with 3. 07 gears in it,and a Dana 60 in the front that is factory with 4. 10 gears>obviously this is a bad combination,and therefore needs to be addressed before 4wd can be used. My question is would I be best to get the front axle changed over to 3. 07 gears(if its possible),or would I be best to get both the front,and rear changed over to a 3. 54 like in my 92 D250?Thanks in advance.



P. S. could 8 lug 17" wheels from a new truck be used on an old truck like this 83?I ask because I have some nice snow tires from my hemi that are 17",and I would like to keep them.



Chris

 

[Philip]

The Dana 60 in the front will not take 3:07 gears or carrier assy. The 3:07 is a one off axle. The model # for a 3:07 axle is a 61. There is a 3:07 front on ebay right now.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodg...016QQitemZ260086177071QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW



Change out the rear axle. There are members that will most likely be interested in it. Or might even have a axle to trade you for it.



Is the truck a dually.

 

[mazdarotary]

Thanks Philip,



The truck is not a dually,but I have no idea what type of truck the rear axle came out of other than he told me it was an 89 350.



Are you saying I should swap out the entire rear axle with another Dana 60(3. 54 gears I assume),and then swap the gears in the front to match the rear ratio?Will the front accept the 3. 54 gears,and if so what am I looking at spending on this?



Chris

 

[Philip]

That 4:10 axle should take 3:54's with no problem. Both gears use the same carrier assy.



Swap the rear axle. I can't remember the break off on rear gears. I think anything 3:54 to a 4:56 gears uses the same carrier. So finding a rear axle shouldn't be to hard. Your just looking for a Dodge model 70. Then regear as needed.



The main issue here is to measure you current rear axle and know the width. Measure from the backing plate mounting flange to flange. A C&C axle is 6" wider than yours. You don't want to get one of those by accident.



As far as prices. Buying that axle I posted the link on would be the cheapest way. Regearing two axle would run about the same price or more.

 

[bgilbert]

Are ya buying 'Snowflake'? You either need to find a Dana 61 3. 07 front to match your Dana 71 3. 07 rear or find a Dana 70 4. 10 rear to match your Dana 60 4. 10 front. Clear as mud?

 

[mazdarotary]

Are ya buying 'Snowflake'? You either need to find a Dana 61 3. 07 front to match your Dana 71 3. 07 rear or find a Dana 70 4. 10 rear to match your Dana 60 4. 10 front. Clear as mud?

I may be buying "Snowflake" but I have these questions. I would rather just have a 2wd,but since this truck has the gear I may as well make it work. I would rather have the 3. 07 gears,or 3. 54's like in my 92 D250 I sold a few months ago,but either option seems expensive. I would think the 4. 10 option would not lend itself to good mileage,but I could be wrong. There is a 3. 07 front on ebay,but at $800 it seems a bit steep. The alternative is swap the rear with someone with a 3. 54 Dana 70,and get the front re-geared,but that is probably the same cost. Ahh maybe I am better off with my 03 1500 hemi?I really want another Cummins though,and I miss shifting.

 

[JLEONARD]

PM me... I have a 3. 54 axle from a D250