It seems on most competitive dodge pulling trucks that the rear ends can be a weak link if not prepaired properly. I see alot of race results that say (Blown spyder gears). Is this just because the harsh nature of the pulling environment? Is there a certain horsepower range that these rear ends Dana 70 are prone for breakage? I see that many have used the detroit locker to help sturdy things up. What does a good locker cost, plus expert installation? With twins on the horizon for my truck Im trying to iron everthing out to limit trips home on a car carrier or wrecker.

 

I broke one axle in my detroit lockered dana 70, so i installed a dana 80, but guys do break the spiders in the 80's also---the big bad pullers are now installing rockwells, but that will put in you in the monster class--locker choices are the Detroit and ARB IMO--just be prepared for tranny output, input shafts breaking, flexplates breaking, ujoints breaking, head gaskets replacement, and rear end work---don't get me wrong--I love it even if it does get you down sometimes--good luck---chris

 

CSUTTON,
What is the weakest link in the 70?I hear of twisted pinions,axles,spider gears.I have been very lucky with my 70 because nothing has broke YET .If you were to run the 70 would you put in aftermarket axles such as Moser's & would the detroit help as well.Im looking for a 80 but in the mean time would these mods to my 70 prolong its life?

Kurt

 

PP--all the above are the weak links---I had a detroit locker in mine and I highly recommend that, but with your power you're on borrowed time, so that's good you're looking to find an 80---upgrading the axles would be smart, I thought about that, but decided do it right the first time---you might even try cryo treating, but you will need to tear the rearend apart and not sure that's what you want to do---on my 80 I took the limited slip out and took it apart and alternated the clutches and steel washers--seems to be working fine so far---chris

 

Thanks alot Chris,I have a line on a couple of 80s but nothing bought yet.The problem is i want a disc brake 80 & as you know they were only in the 01.5 & 02's.When i do find one i will go with moser axles & the detroit locker as well.Talk to ya later.

Kurt

 

Hey Chris, I see that you switched your 70 out for an 80. What all is involved in the swap? Do you have to get special offset wheels or anything like that? I have a spare 80 in the garage that I would like to use to replace the open diffed 70 in my 2500. Do brake lines match? Do the u-joints match? Are the spring pads the same width apart? Thanks SS

 

ss--my truck is a '99 auto 2500 and I swapped in a 2001 dana 80(drum brakes as the disc one was $1000 more) out of a 2500--it bolted up without any probs, no offset wheels, but the emergency brake connection at the wheel hubs and along the frame is different, so you need the 80 cable all the way from the frame transfer point(where the cable from cab meets the 2 cables from the wheel hubs)into the the hub and I jury rigged it to work where they meet at the frame--basically I left the cab cable as stock and used some cable clamps to make the wheel hub cables work--I hope that makes sense--chris

 

I have an early 01 with rear disc. Truck was delivered Nov. 2000.