Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dana 80 ratio change

[Barry]

How hard is it to change the R&P in a Dana 80???? The truck I am buying is a 3:54 and I want to swap it to a 3:73. What amazes me is the price of the R&P set. I called all the advertisers in the new TDR mag. (got it today) They have differant prices starting at $775 and coming down to $575. A non advertiser is at $444. 56 but I could have bet that the place in the northwest said $350. Randy's or Bubba's Gear Service. Hey guys, chime in and help me remember. (this mecklazine the Doc gave me makes my head fuzzy) The shops here in FTW. want me to pull the WHOLE rear axle out of the truck and bring it to them for the swap. Anyone have any ideas????

 

[rspinks]

Those sound more like installed prices, not just parts. I dunno, maybe the 80 is super-exotic and expensive, but I had my '94 gasser Dana 44/60 gears swapped from 3. 55 to Richmond 4. 56 for $1500 Canadian. That would have been probably $1100-$1200 USD.



Rich

 

[Barry]

No, I'm talking just parts. They want $350 for the surgery if I take the rear end out and haul it down to them.

 

[MJawsman]

Randy's or Bubba's Gear Service. Hey guys, chime in and help me remember. [/B]

You may be thinking of Randy's Ring & Pinion at 1-877-349-1367.



Mark

 

[SS]

Barry,



For my money, I think I would do power upgrades (EZ, injectors, or pick your poison) rather than change the gearing by 5%.



I say that, but of course I ordered my truck with 4. 10 gears - about a 15% difference from 3. 55. But I knew I would be putting 36" tires on. Just one guy's opinion - maybe you want to do the power upgrades in addition to the regearing.

 

[Barry]

I have loved my 4:10s for towing but they have been a pain in the the rear (no pun intended) when bob tailing. This morning going in to the auction, traffic is running 80 and I am sitting there at 26 to 27 hundred rpm. I'm hip on the upgrades... ... (BD and Edge dealer) check sig. The 3:54s and the 235 tires just put you behind the power curve all the time. (DC finally figured that out and 3:73s are std. for the 03s). Just called Randy's and they want $556 for the R&P set and $177 for the install kit. That is $1,000 for a ratio swap... ... ... I had a 00 with the 3:54s and it would not pull... ... kept it 7 months and sold it. I have to think this thru.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Barry,



I'm just curious as to how much weight you tow, regularly.



Later, Rob

 

[Barry]

As an RV dealer, I hook on to all sizes. Tow double alot. It is not uncommon for me to make an auction in LTR. Ark. and buy a 30' 5er and hook an 18' bass boat on the back. I have grossed as high as 22,600 with my 40' car hauler and 3 cars. Generally, I'm 20K or less. That is part of the reason I am going back to a dually and I don't like them. I have really been leaning towards an F650 Ford lowpro with a Cummins.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Thanks Barry,



I tow almost every day usually 14,000#'s gross, but have been as high as 20,000+, and with 3. 55's and a 6-speed I don't have any complaints, I also have 315 75 R16 tires, no regrets at all. I'm wondering why yours won't pull? Not a big deal or anything, just curious is all. Did you see the "Mexican Truck" in the other fourm? Throw a bed on it and that would be one sweet trailer toter!



Later, Rob

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"(DC finally figured that out and 3:73s are std. for the 03s). "





"DC" didn't figure ANYTHING out!



It's just more signs of the times, as the EPA and assorted tree huggers dictate operating conditions that FORCE higher operating RPM for diesels - and thus the need for higher gearing to better match road speed to engine RPM...

 

[Bugman]

Barry, have you tried Fort Worth Gear & Axle? 1-800-722-2888. They told me $375 labor +Parts for rear end work. You do not have to pull the axle, be done in one to two days.



Bugman.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

That's pretty much in line with what I've found too Barry. I too want to change out my 4. 10's except I want to go to 3. 55's not 3. 73's. In my case I'm looking at ~$2500 because I'd have to change both front and rear diffs and the rear LSD . I could put in an overdrive unit for about the same. I've pretty much decided to just live with it unless I can someday find someone that wants to trade their 3. 55's for my 4. 10's - I've struck out so far.

 

[MJawsman]

Originally posted by Steve St. Laurent

I've pretty much decided to just live with it unless I can someday find someone that wants to trade their 3. 55's for my 4. 10's - I've struck out so far.

Maybe I should take a few days and visit you Steve. I'd be up for the swap, and I'm originally from the Great Lakes State anyway! Could be fun!



Mark

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Check 4 wheel parts, 800-421-1080. See TDR#24 for my article on Dana's. It was designed to supplement the Service Manual.

Hope this helps.

 

[klenger]

Barry:



If you're going to spend the money to change the gears, it seems that 4. 10's would be better for the towing. Paying that much to go from 3. 54 to 3. 73 seems like a waste.

 

[Barry]

After wrestling with this for a night, I decided to take my own advice. Spec. the truck to do the job you have the truck for to begin with. I called my dealer back and told him to look in the locator and find one with 4:10s. I am going to stop driving the truck for a daily driver and use it for my road trips only. I am looking for a little 240D MBZ. to run around in.

 

[Charley]

Barry:



Since you are on the road alot anyway consider Savoie's Truck Service in Albuquerque (505) 292-6227.



They changed my Ford 4X4 both axles from 3:55 to 4?10 including all bearings for $2,000 and did it in less than a full day. Had limited slip front and rear.



Charley

 

[Barry]

Charley, when are you going to come by so we can put that slick stuff on your coach????????

 

[fj40charles]

I don't think I'd take my truck to 4 wheel parts and wholesaler. It seems like they put these young kids to setup ring/pinion gears after one day of training. This is somthing left to someone that has lots of experience doing.



If you're in N. Texas you might want to look at



http://www.sunrayengineering.com



These guys build custom 4x4 rigs, axles.





If you're in Houston, Texas try Texas Auto Gear.

281-448-4371 The owner is also a TDR member. Ask for David Yackley. These guys built my custom reverse rotation D60 axles for my Toyota. These guys build some hard core offroad rigs.





my 2 cents...



Charles

 

[Big White Beast]

I've had all three......

Truck came with 4:10's . Couldn't stand the high R's at freeway speed. Because of my utility bed tire size changes aren't an option. I found someone to swap gears and put the 3:54's in. Went to the other end of the curve. It was lugging way too much. Finally I paid for a set of 3:73's and I'm in heaven. It's the perfect gear. My truck weighs 11K lbs. as a daily driver and the 3:73 gearing makes the truck a pleasure to drive around town or on the freeway.



Be advised that when going from a 4 series gear to a 3 series you have to swap the carrier also. At least with the Dana 80. I've heard conflicting stories on the TDR about this.



The cost for the Dana 3:73 gears was $350



E-mail me if you want more info.



Garrett