2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission DRW - SRW differences?

[JeppinHackSaw]

Problem: I hate my 4. 10s

Problem: My buddy hates his 3. 5X's



I have a DRW he has a SRW



what would be entailed in swapping the housings? Can we swap out the rear hubs/brakes and axle shafts?



Are the housings the same width.



Mine's a 98, his is a 97. Both have the Dana 80.



I know the front is going to be pretty easy, just swap the unit bearing hubes across the board and then swap housings.



I do NOT want to just pull/set gears. Setting up used gears is mildly retarded in something that you are going to be driving every day. You will be hard pressed to get the same pattern, thus putting a really crappy mesh on the gears, so thats not an option.



Thanks all.

 

[Bob V]

On the pre 2003 trucks the 2500 manual trans trucks had a hybrid Dana 80. The center section is an 80 but from the spring perches out it is a 70. I have not been able to find out for sure if the drive axles are different or not. Take a look at both trucks, you will see that the axle tapers down after the spring perches on the 2500 and not the 3500

 

[16919]

Really????????? I never knew that they were a hybrid 80. Is that true for HO trucks as well?

 

[Bob V]

Yes, Check it out for yourself. The axle tubes neck down after the spring perches on the 2500 manuals, even the HOs. The daullys are the same size all the way to the spindles

 

[zstroken]

This has been a big discussion before. The DRW actually sticks out farther, wander if that is why it is full diameter all the way out. The CC DRW and the SRW share the same axle shaft.

 

[MAshley]

I do NOT want to just pull/set gears. Setting up used gears is mildly retarded in something that you are going to be driving every day. You will be hard pressed to get the same pattern, thus putting a really crappy mesh on the gears, so thats not an option.

.

Im not a mechanic but is this an opinion or a fact with gears sets? If this is a fact then are gears mostly a one time use? I was under the impression that reusing gears isnt' really an issue, especially when guys install lockers, new bearings ETC, or is it dependent on the fact its the same Axle housing therefor simular wear. Thanks for the info.

 

[16919]

This has been a big discussion before. The DRW actually sticks out farther, wander if that is why it is full diameter all the way out. The CC DRW and the SRW share the same axle shaft.

You learn something new every day... ... ... ... ...

 

[Bob V]

Yes, Check it out for yourself. The axle tubes neck down after the spring perches on the 2500 manuals, even the HOs. The daullys are the same size all the way to the spindles

This only applies to 2nd gens! Third gens are different.

 

[PRattenbury]

As an alternative to swapping all those gears and axles, you could just get taller tires and get the same effect.

 

[JeppinHackSaw]

Im not a mechanic but is this an opinion or a fact with gears sets? If this is a fact then are gears mostly a one time use? I was under the impression that reusing gears isnt' really an issue, especially when guys install lockers, new bearings ETC, or is it dependent on the fact its the same Axle housing therefor simular wear. Thanks for the info.

It's a fact that gear sets mesh together and wear a pattern into them.



When you go from one housing to another, they can differ as you might not be able to get that exact same pattern to mesh in the gears (not all housings are machined EXACTLY the same)



I'd use used gears, in an off-road toy only, not something that is going to see the road and higher speeds.



We did find out, (to bad I didn't read this post before I drove up to meet up with him and change the axles) that the DRW 80 housing is 3" wider from flange to flange than the SRW housing.



Oh well, if I keep the truck, I'll step up to a larger tire.

 

[jkidd]

check out a set of 3. 73 gears. you can get a thick ring set for the 4. 10 carrier.

I went from 4. 10 to 3. 54 and once again I am in between gears 5 & 6 instead of 6 wishing I had 7