I want a stronger, more reliable rear end and better hiway gears. The D70 is going in the trash and my options are either a D80 with 3.31's and detroit locker or GM 14 bolt with 3.2x's with a detroit locker. I'm not leaning either way more and both are great rear ends that will hold a ton of power.

So which way should I go?

 

in the newest issue of diesel power it is stated that the 14 bolt is the ford 9 inch of one tons and has been in service with gm science 92' because of its proven design that can handle an enormous ammount of torque. for more info check out dieselpowermag.com and search 14 bolt it is the first and only listing under articles

 

Ive ran a 14 bolt gm in my first gen for 4 years, and it gave great service. Lots of mods to make it work I used the stock dodge purchase off the dana 70 and had a rear drive shaft made, the rear end with not set perfect. Because the pino is off set to the driver side in other words it won't set centered. I still had no problems and I pull a goose neck trail lots. It had 373 gears wich great for towing. I now have a dana 80 with 354 gears in it. The reason for that is tire wear and front end alinement. The 14bolt was a little off set so it was hard on tires. And I wanted 354s an found a d80 for $300.00 cost effective!

 

What applications do you look for to score a dana 80?

 

2nd Gen Dodge Diesel for one.

 

I'd say the 14 bolt. I ran one in my old D250 with 3.73's, and factory limited slip and it seemed to be awesome. I wish I could find a Corporate 14 bolt dually rear around here.

 

I put a 14 bolt in my old crewcab and it was Great never had any troubles with anything but I was also running 410's with 39's

 

14 bolt, Gm started using it back in the 70's, cant beat 'em. And they are simple for a disk brake swap.

 

If you don't want a dana 71 3.07 made of unobtanium, look into the ford sterling one ton axles they put in diesel pickups. They were designed to rival the D70. They also have aftermarket support for a R&P of 3.07 ratio.

They aren't necessarily BETTER than the dana 71... They just have aftermarket new parts support... It is a wonder to think we're all running dana 71s which are OEM from over 15 years ago... narry a new R and P to be seen

 

I say run a 14b your gonna be drag racin and it'll save a few pounds but still be stronger than a garbage 70

 

Im just wondering, is the hate towards the 70u or hd model? Or both?

 

BOTH

I twisted the pinion off my HD and the old man just chewed everything up in his U, we now both have 80's

On another note the 14b has a pinion suport and 3 pinion bearings and a d80 size pinion

 

How did you twist the pinion off? Pullin? Im hoping my 70 hold for a while, its got the 35 spline axles, I don't know how much that helps though.

 

Yep, 3 bounces and BANG, got the biggest cheer out of the crowd thoughand I did leave the pull under my own power though after I pulled the axles (the rest of the pinion was binding up on the pig not lettin the wheels turn)

You probly wont ever bust an axle in a 70

 

so what i have gathered............
Dana 60........???
Dana 70.........junk
Dana 80.........is real good but weighs 400lbs
what came stock in the 1990 d250 single tire?
and if Dana 70U or 70HD are such junk why do they go for $200-$450 all day
and from what i understand....... Dana 60 and 70U are the SAME INSIDE 70 case is larger = same internal strangth as 60 but more weight (40lbs) and 70HD has the 4in axle tubs = more weight ( another 33lbs)