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what dually axle to swap out a d70

shady

shady

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what axles came in other duallys.

I have an 85 c30 with the d70hd. Its a good strong axle, but there's no real choices for carriers. I'd like to get at least as much strength, and be able to run a trutrac or OX if possible.

Don't want a detroit really, or one of the lunch box type. the clicking or ratcheting would drive me nuts.

Figured if there's a 14b version, or something else with more options maybe I'd go through with a swap.:dunno:
 
The first 2-3 years of the GMT400 production used a 70HD but later on they started using a wide 14 bolt, not sure about the actual width measurement though.
 
What I would love is a 14b or something so that I can have a G80. May be harder to find though :dunno:
I'll look into the dodge stuff.
 
That would be awesome!
 
My 96 3500 had the 14BFF w G80 and 4.10’s. Not sure how width would work out though.
 
If it were me, I'd get a true trac from a ford dana 80. True trac is significantly ahead in every aspect relative to the g80.


If you're a g80 fan though, a gmt400 14 bolt will be the easiest swap.
 
obijuank5 said:
If it were me, I'd get a true trac from a ford dana 80. True trac is significantly ahead in every aspect relative to the g80.


If you're a g80 fan though, a gmt400 14 bolt will be the easiest swap.
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Agreed on the True Trac being far superior than GM’s G80 ! Just no comparison in durability - none.
 
On a 10 bolt that's probably true. I don't hear of many people breaking the 14b ones unless it's in the rocks or something though.
This is a DD
I personally have flogged the chit out of the 2 I have in my play trucks and have yet to hurt one.

That said, true trac would be awesome. I only worry about getting one set of duals in the gravel, and one set on the road, backing a 10,000# trailer up my semi steep hill. They may work fine there, I dunno. :dunno: I have heard of guys claiming they work like a normal open diff in the right conditions though.

But if I can get an axle from the bone yard with a g80 for $250. I'd do it lol.

That ford axle have a real Eaton in it? Or just what Ford CALLS a true trac?
 
It is a torsen differential which is like the greatest invention ever. The Eaton true trac is in 99-04 ford dana 80 for sure, probably later models also.
 
obijuank5 said:
It is a torsen differential which is like the greatest invention ever. The Eaton true trac is in 99-04 ford dana 80 for sure, probably later models also.
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The 99~04 Ford SD DRW Dana 80’s that I have worked on have come with the 4-pinion Trac-Loc ( not the Powr-Loc ) with a ton of friction and steels on each side. Not disputing that there were not real Eaton type Torsens out there but just wanted to add that the Spicer L/S was also used.

As far as 14-B G80’s go unfortunately they do have a bad rap for dying a miserable death either by the flyweight sticking open/locked on a street driven axle or certainly on a well used and high traction application like a healthy big block and big ole tires behind a heavy foot. Anything can break - the G80’s in a 14-B F/F just tend to head that way much too often even when not abused sometimes. That being said there are plenty out there that haven’t broke so I hope the best for ya’ in your search.

If you do end up with a Torsen type diff in another axle and get one set of wheels on ice just drag the brakes with minimal throttle and the bias ratio kicks in and sends little more power to the side that needs it - they are not a absolute hard core diff but they work great for what they are intended for.
 
shady said:
On a 10 bolt that's probably true. I don't hear of many people breaking the 14b ones unless it's in the rocks or something though.
This is a DD
I personally have flogged the chit out of the 2 I have in my play trucks and have yet to hurt one.
Click to expand...
Saw my son's Dmax have the G80 lock up and stay locked. That sucked for the 2 weeks he drove it before we could get the Truetrac here and installed. It would unlock once in a while, then relock on an easy corner.
After the swap he wished that he would have done it sooner because the performance was so much better.
Now he often doesn't use 4wd on snow, even pushing the heavy nose around. (Not that we have had much snow in the last 2 years..)

So I wouldn't look for a G80 myself.
 
6872xtc said:
Saw my son's Dmax have the G80 lock up and stay locked. That sucked for the 2 weeks he drove it before we could get the Truetrac here and installed. It would unlock once in a while, then relock on an easy corner.
After the swap he wished that he would have done it sooner because the performance was so much better.
Now he often doesn't use 4wd on snow, even pushing the heavy nose around. (Not that we have had much snow in the last 2 years..)

So I wouldn't look for a G80 myself.
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If a deal can be found the 03 and up Dodge ( or RAM whenever that changed ) DRW 11.5” & 11.8”. AAM axles come with a badass Torsen diff that is STOUT !
Note: Don’t assume that the GM version of that axle comes with the same diff - GM stuck with the G80 and is no more than a Gov-Loc on steroids. It’s big but it’s still flawed.
Look for the diff Dodge used - they got that one right !
 
I've been trying to find the WMS width on some of the Ford ones mentioned. Seems like it ranges from 70"-76" depending on which forum I read lol. I'd like to stay as close to stock Chevy as I can.

I think that's 72", but not positive
 
Really all I need is an axle that I can even BUY a decent diff for. Torsen, OX, or still even G80. (Until I have issues with one I'll still like them lol)
I'd gladly keep the d70 if there was any options for it.
I've heard there's a way to use a different carrier, from like a D60 or something in them. But I don't know for sure how it was done.
 
shady said:
Really all I need is an axle that I can even BUY a decent diff for. Torsen, OX, or still even G80. (Until I have issues with one I'll still like them lol)
I'd gladly keep the d70 if there was any options for it.
I've heard there's a way to use a different carrier, from like a D60 or something in them. But I don't know for sure how it was done.
Click to expand...
OBIJUANK5 mention earlier for you that it is possible to use a D80 diff in a HD-D70 with filler shim/washer around the r/p bolts ( D80 uses fatter/larger retaining hardware the D70’s do ) that the Jan D76 ( or something close to that ) can provide for ya’ and that will cure your dilemma…
 
That is what I was thinking of was the "Jana 76 kit". Which I just found is backwards from what I want.
I'll look into the 80 thing some more. I'd rather not change the housing so that would be better.
 
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