Hello , looking for input on my rear differential. the pinion shaft snapped on my 04, 4x4 it has a 11.5 American axle in it . who makes a better rear end dana or aam . I have always heard that the dana 60 was a very good rear end , I also would like to change the ratio from 3.73 to 3.54.
options: a) regear orginal axle providing differential housing is not damaged.
b) find dana rear end with 3.54 gears already in it.

Put your 2 cents in need to find a clear direction to go .

thank txbovine

 

I've heard that AAM is the stronger of the two. Plus AAM uses gear lockers and not clutch packs like the Dana.

You won't find a 3.55 for the AAM 11.5" but they do offer a 3.42.

Or stick with 3.73 and install larger 285/70/17's tires. That will get you close to 3.55.

MikeyB

 

you'll eat a D60 alive with the torque and weight of these trucks ... the AAM 11.5" is much stronger.

 

The earlier 3/4 tons used Dana 70's in the rear, not 60's.
The AAM and the Dana both are strong axles- you should figure out why yours broke, before moving up to a bigger axle.

 

6spds got a D80

 

I would avoid a D60. Like said above, first find out why yours broke and then possibly fix that and keep the axle. If you really want a new one, look for a D80 but an easier swap would be another AAM if yours is not fixable.

 

I'm fairly sure it was that 40ft gravel truck that t-bone me . broke both springs emergancy cable , both shocks had to cut the rear wheel off . I set it up and checked for damage replaced all broken parts ran fine for about 500 mi , when pinion shaft snapped lucky i had 4 wheel drive droped rear shaft and made it home.

 

5 speeds too. All 2nd Gens with Cummins/Manual combos have a D80 rear.

All 1 tons regardless of drive train combo or engine have D80.

 

Good enough for me!