Where to get 3.08 gears for the Dana 80?

[Turboman]

Anybody know if they are available. I think it's what I want because I'm always trying to shift into "7th" anyway and this would put me at about 1625rpms at 70 mph in 6th or when towing in 5th 70mph is about 2300. Seems perfect to me, now where to get it?

 

[Philip]

As far as I know the 3:54's are the highest gears made for the model 80's.



They even had problems putting it into the model 70's. The 3:08 housing an carrier assy are different for the 3:08 axles. They are getting hard to find also. It took me 6 months to find a 3:08 dually axle for my 1st gen.



The next problem might be getting the speedo to work right. I do not know if the speedo gears from a 518 or a gettrash would work in you six speed.

 

[MCummings]

Go to http://www.reiderracing.com/



The lowest you can go in a late model Dana 80 is 3. 23, just a ring and pinion swap.



Look for about a $600 to do a complete swap on a 2wd(installing gears, setting backlash, etc. )



I'm not sure if a Dana 60 can fit the same 3. 23's. 4wd's might run into problems.



Hope this helps.



Merrick N. Cummings Jr



{EDIT} Just went looking on the site,, couldn't find any listings for the Dana 80 a year or so ago they did carry many different parts for the '80,, give 'em a call.

 

[klenger]

I put 3. 07's in an old 1/2 ton Jeep pick up I used to have. It had a T-18 4 speed. In forth, cruising down the highway it ran real nice. I don't think it even had a tach back then. In the mountains, it would go 65 in 3rd gear. Worked great. 1st gear was a granny so launching it with a load was no problem.

 

[Groover]

3.08 gears

I would be careful with the 3. 08 gears. In "My Opinion" that is too much gear. Towing will suffer dramatically. I don't believe it will help mileage at all and may hurt it. There is a magical RPM/MPH that is optimum for a particular truck/weight that we can shoot for but never reach. I think 3. 54 is as close as you are gonna get.



I had a gas engine truck with 3. 08 and with some testing concluded that I got better mileage in direct than in overdrive. Overdrive was too much gear for that particular combination.



The "taller" gear will also make the spread between shifts larger as well and make it harder to get moving with a load.



I have 4. 10 in my current truck but I run 35" tires and it suits me fine. (effective gear ratio = +/- 3. 62)



Do what you want! It's your truck! But I do not think you will gain anything and definetely will not like as well for towing.



Just my . 02