well this is not a good start to the 2010 year. just had to replace my 6speed. my wallett still hurts from that. any way i was hearing a noise from what i thought was the rear diff. pulled the cover off and, one of the spider gears was laying in the bottom of the diff in four pieces. the pinion is in good shape, the ring gear it a little chewed up on the outside ends of it. should i just put new spider gears in or replace the whole thing with a locker and be done with it?

 

how long you plan on keepin the truck? IMO i would do the second option and be done with it. thats just me though

 

as much money as i have put in her so far. i will have to keep it forever now. i am a little broke from the tranny.

 

What happened to the tranny?

As far as your D80. The carrier would probably be alright if you just put another set of spidergears in or a locker like you said. As for the ring and pinion goes, are the gears themselves messed up or is it just around the outside of the ring gear? It'd be wise to take it to someone and let them look at it and see what they say. If you do end up needing new gears you could probably find a good used set on ebay for cheap.

 

yah there is some material missing from the outermost tips of the ring gear. nothing it missing from the contact pach. a buddy of mine is going to help me install the new spider gears, and the x piece in the middle that holds the spider gears together. it is gauled up pretty good.

 

Sounds like a rebuild to me. I had the same thing happen on my Dana 80 last week. I am picking up a Dana 80 from another forum member tomorrow. Good luck!

 

how are you guys destroying these transmissions and differentials? I've been driving over 50 years and all i ruined was wheel bearings and sheet metal

 

um... 4x4 launches at full boost and towing alot. bad luck has something to do with it. i try to beef up anything that brakes

 

If you have been considering a locker, you might give a passing thought to a Lockright. Since it replaces the spider/sides (on most anyhow, and you can usually get one that replaces both) you don't have to shim the carrier or play with the bearings. Plus the locker is very often cheaper than new carrier gears.

Besides, if you decide the handling is just too funky, it's REALLY easy to pull back out. Just like doing spider/sides. Don't even have to jack the truck up.

Just a thought.

 

i found and got a smokin good deal on a matched set dana 60 and 80 3.55 (instead of 4.10) out of a 98 with only 120K on the ticker. look like new. they even had all new ball joints. new rotors and pads. the rear had new drums and shoes. go me! i will be installing these in 6 days. wish me luck.

 

awesome find good luck with everything

 

Just had to make everyone here feel a little better I just blew my dana 80 today

 

Ummmmmmmmm - this makes anyone feel better in what way? We feel your pain. Not a happy way to start a new year! Get to the local graveyard or pick 'n pull, rebuild and carry on!

Mike

 

It didn't come as a surprise I bought the truck used we took it to the shop and checked and changed all the fluids the rear end was leaking and full of shavings so we started looking then found one had it rebuilt and will put it in on monday