2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dana 80 4x4 vs. 4x2 Axle

[ATaylor]

Does anyone know if there are any differences between the Dana 80 4x4 axle and 2x4 axle? I have a 2wd truck and found a 4x4 Dana 80 with disc brakes and 4. 10 gears that I would like to swap into my truck. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.



Archie Taylor

 

[DHayden]

I'm 99% sure there is no difference. Dana 80 is a Dana 80. The front axle's are Dana 60's so there is no reason for any of the 80's to be different from each other. Barring dually/single wheel and drum/disc of course.

 

[charlessmith]

The fronts are Dana 60 axles. At least in the '96 - '97 models.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The only main difference is if you're talking different years of trucks. IE if you want to swap an axle from a 2000 & newer Ram to an older one there's some differences with the emergency brake I believe and also the axle is wider.

Vaughn

 

[DHayden]

The fronts are Dana 60 axles. At least in the '96 - '97 models.

woops wrong key let me edit

 

[Cooker]

I believe and also the axle is wider.

Which axle is wider?

 

[DCreed]

sway bar/shock mounts and possibly pinion angle. the 4x4 sits higher.

 

[jkidd]

last summer I swapped my 2001 4. 10 2wd rear end for a friends 1997 3. 54 4wd rear end.

Went smoothly, 20k more miles and I have no problems.

I cannot address issues with going to a disc brake system. Gotta be better than drum brakes

 

[DCreed]

I went from dana 70 open/drum to 80 LSD/disc, yep the discs are better!

 

[RJMurphy]

FWIW the Hollander interchange shows the 2 WD and 4 WD as different. Not sure why, I too would like to know, as I am looking to swap a D70 or 80 with disc brakes into my 99 2500 4WD and this info may double my chances at finding a replacement.

 

[Cooker]

FWIW the Hollander interchange shows the 2 WD and 4 WD as different. Not sure why, I too would like to know, as I am looking to swap a D70 or 80 with disc brakes into my 99 2500 4WD and this info may double my chances at finding a replacement.

To put an 80 in place of a 70 you will need to shorten the driveshaft and need dufferent u-bolt plates.

 

[ATaylor]

I hope the 4x4 and 4x2 are compatable because I bought a 4x4 axle yesterday. The only thing that I have been able to find out is that the 4x4 axle holds more oil. That can't be a bad thing. I got the new axle home and everything looks the same. I will do some measuring tonight.

 

[ATaylor]

Dana 80 4x4 vs. 4x2 differences

I measured the axle. Spring perches are the same 43" center to center. Shock mounts are also the same width. But, the 2002 4x4 axle I bought is 2 inches wider overall. This is o. k. since I'm putting a flatbed on the truck. My axle from the 1995 is a pickup axle as far as I know, not a Cab and Chassis. So it looks like the newer or 4x4 axles are wider.

 

[CRWilliams]

I believe the axle shaft are 35 spline on the 2WD and 37 spline on the 4WD. If you ever need to replace anything in the differential you'll need to make sure. Obviously this won't make a difference for swapping, but the disc brake rear is wider.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Which axle is wider?

I'm pretty sure all axles Dana 70 and 80 for model years 2000-2002 are wider than '99 and older units, because Dodge went to a higher offset in 2000 when they revised the suspension on all trucks. And I think the disk brake axles are even a bit wider than the drum brake units but can't say for sure.