2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission changing to a Dana 80 single

[hammersley]

how hard is this to do.............

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Not hard. I helped a friend do it to his 2001 using a Dana 80 that also had disc brakes. He re-used his brakes but used the axles etc. from the 80. The driveshaft length was OK on his which came with a 70.

 

[JMcCoy]

What do you have now? Do you have a 3500 with a DRW Dana 80 or a 2500 with a SRW Dana 70? I recently swapped a SRW Dana 70 w/ drums to a SRW Dana 80 w/ disks. If you go from a 70 to an 80, you will need to change the lower U-bolt brackets. If you go from a DRW 80 to a SRW 80, your brackets will work. Inspect your U-bolts. I would just replace them. Mine almost rusted through. I actually flipped the -bolts and put a custom bracket on top of the leaf springs (like they should have been done to begin with). I had to cut 1.5 inches off the drive shaft. U-joints bolted up perfect. As stated above, not real difficult. Good luck.

 

[Woodenhead]

I have both a '96 2500 with a D80 and a '98 3500 up on stands in my shop right now. If you need any specific comparisons, just ask and I can go measure or take pics for you.