Dana 70 setup

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Has anyone replaced the ring and pinon set in the rear end and if so, can you shed some light on how hard it is to get the gears set up properly. I have 4. 10:1 ratio now, want to go back to the 3. 54(what ever was stock) to get the RPM's down a little at freeway speed. Seems like I am out of the power curve when towing my trailer in third gear going up hills. It really seems to flatten out around 45 MPH.
I got a quote from a transmission shop to do this but I think the $850 is a bit high.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, Auto w/4. 10 rear with gear locker, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3. 5" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 137K

 

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Just had mine completly rebuilt @ $1,200 $ 850. 00 do sound a bit high. But I do know the preload and such has to be correct. Otherwise, they can lock up and cause massive damage. Just my . 02 cents Mike

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92 Std cab. LE. 98,000, 5-speed, 3. 54, 105 gal Aux tank in bed. Banks Power pack. 14cm w/wastegate. Pyro & boost guage, oil temp guage. Rebuilt pump turned up, fresh injectors. E-brake. Used as a Hotshot/express Reg. at 36,000 lbs in 48 states. http://hometown. aol.com/hotshothauler/myhomepage/business.html

 

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The shims for the pinion bearing pre-load is the most time consuming part, mostly trial and error near the end. This was the main reason I had a shop do it instead of chasing down various shim thicknesses.
I had my diff rebuilt with all bearings, gears, clutches and spiders for $1250 CDN ($825 US). The $850 sounds high.



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Jason's Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 2WD 5 Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", 3. 5" Exst straight,E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. Bosch 100W Driving. Bosch 55W Fogs.
229,000 miles (366,000 Kms)
7550 Hrs.

 

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I rebuilt the Dana 70 on my 93 D350.
It can be done if you are willing to spend the time it takes to try the fit four or five times. You will need a dial indicator and a shop manual from Dodge, also a torque wrench that can go to 250 ftlbs. To set pinion preload you will need a wrench that reads inlbs. You will need a spreader to open the case . 015 to get the carrier in and out and get proper preload on the carrier bearings. I recomend that you read the shop manual and decide if you can do this it take time.

 

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If you are not comfortable with doing the gear set up I would take it to a rear end shop. There ar four wheel drive shops that specialize in ring and pinion work and hey are considerable cheaper then you were qouted. I just had some gears set up in a couple of dana 60,s and they were very reasonable. I had the work done in Fresno. Give Vince a call at "Fearless Gear" 559-454-1084 He does great work!!

 

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Thanks to all for the help and comments. Sounds like this is something I should't take on. Think I'll do some shopping around on prices. Who knows, I'm only about 4 hours from Fresno!!

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, Auto w/4. 10 rear with gear locker, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3. 5" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 137K

 

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5 years ago the Ole '92 had the front and rear changed out from 4. 10 to 3. 54 and I paid the man $1,024 and it had a 2yr/24,000 mile warranty plus 1 free fluid change.

 

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BV,
That's about $500 per axle, which is about where I feel the price should be. Like I said above, I think I'll shop this one a bit more.
Thanks for the reply

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, Auto w/4. 10 rear with gear locker, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3. 5" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 137K

 

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Like everyone else has said, the 4x4 shops do this all the time, most areas have a "4 wheel parts wholesalers" most of their shops do it twice a day on average. In San Jose there is a shop called rear end specialties, that is all they do. if you are in San jose I would recomend the 4 wheel parts wholesalers there, I have had some bad luck with a lot of other shops. the 4x shops know that the axles they send out are getting overstressed with huge tires and countless mods, they don't keed comebacks. A good budy of mine is the west coast service manager of 4WPW working out of SJ, and makes sure everyting is done right.

think about it like this. I am completely trained on how to set these things up, but I still always have that buddy of mine do all of my RandP's for me, cause it is SOOOO touchy, A good setup could last indefinitly and make a Dana 60 stronger than most Dana 80's; a bad setup, will leave you stranded, or with an axle that is weaker than a toyota.

BTW: you should not pay more than 2-3 hours($120-$180) labor for any ring and pinion setups, your parts cost is your parts cost, and always use Dana spicer gears. I recomend Detroit lockers for ALL applications. My most satisfying purchases EVER are my Detroit Lockers. (besides the trucks)

[This message has been edited by Tow Truck (edited 06-19-2000). ]

 

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For additional information, dig out your old issues of TDR. My article on Danas several issues ago can supplement the Dodge facotry Service Manual and should enable you to decide if you want to do the job yourself. If the replacement gears are OEM Dana, you can shortcut the pinion setting proceure by using the difference in setting depths etched on the pinion heads.

 

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Joseph,

Thanks for the tip about the past issues. The only problem with that is I just joined the club in March and have not ordered any of the past issues (yet!). Do you know what issue by chance you are referring to?

This is what I like about the club - ask a question and there is usually lots of responses that are helpful.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, Auto w/4. 10 rear with gear locker, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3. 5" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 137K

 

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Paccool, Joe's article is in issue 24.