Competition Snap, Crackle, Pop Go The Axles!

[HVAC]

Well, the twin turbo charged fire breathing monster that hauls Chris Sutton around during the week got some new shoes for pulling. It was obvious last weekend that more tire was necessary to get the horsepower to the ground. Throwing dirt up into the air isn't what the object is BTW So off came the 10" BFG's and on went a set of boggers measuring about 16" across. As it turned out, the track was a touch soft, however not quite as soft as last weeks practice pull at a private track.



In a class where the others were running Nos, our hero Mr. Sutton stayed true to #2 and picked up a third place while utilizing three wheel drive! We don't recommend this as it was brought about by snapping off the left rear axle at the point that the weight from the sled was on Chris's neck This is a simple case of a high performance engine tied to a set of righteous tires and the stuff in

the middle can't hang. I guess we shouldn't be surprised that what amounts to a "Pro Stock" diesel would need larger/stronger running gear.



Time to go to a Dana 80 I think. Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[Rob Thomas]

I think the 80's have the same dia. axle shafts as the 70's just in a larger housing, I THINK. This is on "our" 80's, which is a hybrid, if you get ahold of a true 80 I'm sure it has larger dia. shafts, which I assume you broke. www.dynatrac.com may be of more help.



Later, Rob

 

[HVAC]

Dynatrac

I'll be on the horn with Dynatrac tomorrow for some expertise. The difference between the 80 on the 3/4-ton verse the 80 on the 1-ton dually is a bit gray at the moment. Naturally we need larger axles IMO.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Nowell, I just did some checkin' and I was right, they're both 35 spline 1. 50" axlse shafts. 3500 also the same.





Later, Rob

 

[Sled Puller]

Try Greensburg Machine, his prices are the best I have found-if you find better, please let me know!!



Greensburg Machine And Driveline.



Specializing in DANA/SPICER performance drive shafts and modifications, shortening, and bearing kits, tri-axle shafts, race car shafts, and circle track. We carry a complete line of cross-over U-joints, performance SPICER joints, Yokes, front axles for Dana 44/60's. We make the strongest TRUCK PULLING drive shafts period! We cut fly wheels for ceramic clutches; we fabricate obsolete parts, and overhaul OEM axles and drive shafts.



724-837-8233 Shop

ASk for Mark.

 

[BigUgly]

HVAC;

Ya'll might want to look into a Dana 135. I can't remember what size the shafts are, but the ring gear diameter is 13. 5", and the axles came on Ford F550s, so it's gotta be stout.

Josiah

 

[HVAC]

3/4-ton D80/1-ton D80/3/4-ton D80

You guys are most helpful, thanks for chiming in on this.



I had my D80 in my lil truck apart a while back, and I swear the axles were 1. 5" dia. Chris's axles are 1. 25 if we were seeing clearly last night. That's got to be a nice difference strength wise.

We believe the 3/4-ton and 1-ton have minor differences in the housings. This is due to different backing plates on the two classifications. Our expert in this area (Erik from Ring & Pinion Service in Sacramento) has advised us that we will need a wheel spacer to utilize the 1-ton D80. This is important because Willyslover has his "98 in his boneyard up in the foothills. It's a 4x4 dually that received a black eye from a large pine tree a couple years ago We are leaving this AM to go up there and disembowl that old beast and fit Chris's truck with the stronger 1-ton D80.



Anybody have any thoughts on this conversion? It's supposed to be easy in that the 80 will bolt up to the same spring perches etc.

 

[Speedo]

Dana 70 vs. Dana 80 Hybrid

The Dana 70 and the Dana Hybrids both

use the same diameter axle shafts, 1. 50.

You would be better off buying high

quality aftermarket axle shafts, better

material and heat treatment than the

stock shafts, than investing in a Dana 80

Hybrid. If you can get a Dana 80 as used

in a Ford it has 1. 625 axle shafts but it

won't accept 8 on 6. 5 wheels.



Gus

 

[HVAC]

To Upgrade Or Go D80?

We thought the decision was in, upgrade the D70.

Then in a conversation this AM, I was cautioned that we would simply transfer the problem to the then out of proportion pinion shaft (guys got a pile of broken ones). We would just as soon not trade one problem in the rear axle for another. Now we are leaning back towards exchanging the D70 for a D80. OH BOY! What to do???

 

[csutton7]

and the swirl around the drain quickens---



this is what we have found out and I do believe it is true: I am more confused than before-----my truck--the poor camper shelled sissy auto that is way underpowered and in no way could break a straws back demolished a helpless 1 1/4" shaft of steel--did the BEST of the WEST--no--and I do believe your previous words were break something of importance and then talk-=--Gene help me out here--the so called King of the west has broken nothing--but me and my lowly auto have been on the shelf 3 times---war words--well maybe----the so called BEST of the WEST(your term)has beaten the same trucks as I have--- yes he beat the the one ford I havenot, but I have beaten all of his other competitors more than once---I'm gunnin for you and every thing in between... of course I may be forced to retire tomorrow. ,. . really though I'm just flat out bummed and lookin to incite an amsoil & transmission thread... ... ... oh yea I called your connnection on axles--thanks---chris

 

[csutton7]

WOW--did I say all that---just venting while trying to ponder the next chess move---you know sometimes we as friends jab a little at one another, there are others that read our statements as something else, but be assured that eventhough we may throw a wide punch we do try to help and steer our fellow members the right way and this is the case in the above statement---but in all reality my truck can outpull any east coast truck---. . when it doesn't break... chris

 

[Sled Puller]

Breaking sucks.

Go for the 80, the 70 yokes will break also.

Loose the boggers, they are very bad for you.



There is an aftermarket axle that is stronger, but I can't remember the name, Morris axles? Something like that.





Breaking Dana 70's is kids stuff, sorry man! My biggest question is it took you HOW long to break the 70?





Poor Siko- not only was Brandon not there, but the good runners broke, Only way a Ford could win.





Do you REALLY think you can compete back here?

HA! It is to laugh!

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by Sled Puller

There is an aftermarket axle that is stronger, but I can't remember the name, Morris axles? Something like that.

I'll bet you're talking about Moser, and their web site is http://www.moserengineering.com/.



Good luck guys. . I would throw in 1 extra option for you guys to consider (especially if you are worried about the pinion). A full floater chevy 14 bolt has 1. 5" diameter 30 spline (odd, I know) axles, but more importantly they have a 3rd bearing on the end of the pinion (Just like a ford 9"), so pinion deflection is pretty much eliminated. They're also a dime a dozen.



Good luck. .

 

[JHansen]

As far as axleshafts go.....

... what about Summers Brothers Nowel? They're in California aren't they? Dunno if they have anything for a D80-but it'd be worth a try.



Jason

 

[willyslover]

well Chris must have been in beer thirty on that last two

Hey Buddy the 80 sits and waits your decision. . iff'in you want to lengthen it then go ahead and come on up... If ya do bring a big guy or two. . it will not be easy to get out of the lower road... in the mean time I'll be cruz'in on up to Calgary. . head'in out in a few mim.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Call Mark Williams axles in Denver. Austempering is better.

 

[HVAC]

Still Sifting Ideas

We have spoken to Moser as I've been in contact with them before regarding my truck. Summers Brothers is someone we might call today, can't hurt. Mark Williams has cool stuff for drag racing etc. We would pay as much shipping by doing business with them.



I'm thinkin' about cryo treating the pinion to get a bit more reliability. Sure worked with the transmission output shaft. Then go with the larger axles and stick with the D70. This is far and away the more thrifty decision. The Moser axles are $300, the side gears are ???, cryo treated pinion $100 (?). Total = $500 maybe.



Going with the D80 would be $1350 just for the used axle.



Disenchanted in Half Moon Bay

 

[JHansen]

The cryo treatment is something I never really considered. Worst case scenario if the pinion is still the weak link I suppose is that you could sell the hi-strength axle shafts out pretty easy, sell them off and probably not even take that much of a hurt on them. The only reason Summers came to my mind is I know their axle shafts were used on the Four Wheeler project Tugboat-so I betcha they have something for the BR-body style truck as well.....



What about one of those magic covers with the cap preload bolts as extra insurance to keep stuff from moving around inside the housing? Although it doesn't sound like you're shearing stuff in there yet, it's gotta be next on the list.



Still rattling around ideas in my brain here-when something more pops loose I'll put it to print!



Jason

 

[HVAC]

Stop Richarding Around!

Well, been talking to some folks back there in the truck pulling belt. I have been told by several folks to "Stop Richarding Around", and get rid of the D70!! Somewhere in San Fran, Chris Sutton is entering a bar about now:{



Looks like we are in full D80 search mode now. Sights are set. No patching and matching, were clear on our course

 

[BigBadDodge]

Nowell, Chris, let me know if you guy's need a hand with the installs once the new stuff gets in.



Scott,