Is a Dana 80 strong enough?

[Section8]

There it took me a while to figure out how to pull the pictures from the other listing site.
Hope I am not in violation for any rules.
As near as I have researched they are Dana 80's according to the differential housing.
One site listed them a F550 the other (ugh) I notice now lists them as 2004 F350, F450, F550
So who knows what they are really from.
Of course if they are full Dana 80 front and rear that's the issue I asked in the beginning.
Are they strong enough. Don't really care about the debate as to their original vehicle make and such.
The rear is listed as limited slip/ Trac lock. If that helps.

 

[TGP (IL)]

That is definitely a Dana 80 rear and Dana 60 super front.
Nowhere ion this link will you find a Dana 80 front, rear only.

http://www.4wdhub.com/axle/dana.html

Your truck your choice to do what you wish
TGP

 

[Section8]

That's a great link! Thanks

 

[gimpyrobb]

I stand by my first post, if you use your head, those would be leaps and bounds over stock axles for a bobber. Just keep in mind you'll need to swap a T case too.

 

[Two Stroke Madness]

I would not use a Dana 60 on a Duece. With the weight of that engine and transmission no way. The knuckles on Dana 60 steer axles won't take it. I have broken them before, and it takes less than you would think to do it.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Ehh, its an M135, 6cyl gasser. Prob can't hurt the axles if he wanted to especially as a 4x4.


I love the 135/211s I'd love to do a project truck one day.









ONE DAY!

 

[rustystud]

Ehh, its an M135, 6cyl gasser. Prob can't hurt the axles if he wanted to especially as a 4x4.


I love the 135/211s I'd love to do a project truck one day.









ONE DAY!

The problem is still the weight of that M135. Yes it is a gasser, but do you know how much those silly 6 cylinders weigh ? Also the frame is still the same as a M35 deuce along with that heavy "Dual Range Turbo Hydramatic" transmission. Remember that transmission is made from cast-iron not aluminum ! It is one heavy beast ! Much heavier then the Spicer 3053 transmission. Add all this up and you got yourself a lot of weight to carry. My 1954 Chevy 1/2ton truck with auto transmission weighs as much or more then my 1984 Chevy 1 ton dually !

 

[Section8]

Yes it is a M135 but non gasser as of now. The old stock 302 was seized and later found by M1010plowboy who took it off my hands, to have a rather large hole in one of the cylinder walls. Hopefully he can salvage the tranny!!
I have two engine options sitting waiting to be put to use on the truck.
A cummins 6bt from a Dodge D350 or my international 395 from my international 1600 that Rustystud helped me identify. I thought it was a 404.
Either way they are both not exactly light engines however they are probably a bit lighter than the stock power plant.
If the front axle is indeed a Dana 60 then that sucks. I have heard they tend to be weak unless used in a half ton and only used for yuppie off road use, ie driving on a wash board dirt road.
I am aware that if I change axles I need a different transfer case since mine is counter rotational on the front drive line.
I am also trying to figure out as well as more modern and fixable axles but keep a decent payload rating. Since stock rating is 10000 pounds off road and 5000 pounds on road would like to be close to that still. Hence my quest for a fitting axle replacement.
Yes yes, I can hear you all. Stay with the tandem.....
I do not want tandems. The commercial vehicle inspectors set up road stop regularly at my Hwy junction. They jut love picking on guys with tandems. I have heard quite a few stories from local farmers with their 3 to 10 tons being pulled off the road as they searched for any reason to fine them.
A Dana 135? Would be great for the rear and say a Dana 70 up front.
Unless all you knowledgeable people have better options I should look for.
Till then it is stock.

 

[VPed]

What about all of the MRAP axles they sell on GL? Meritor I think. I thought I had seen some in the classifieds.

 

[Section8]

MRAP axles would be AWESOME! !!
However up her in Canada it isn't an option. Especially in my next of the woods.
I need to look for commercially available parts. Yet another reason I am interests in swapping axles.
I have a limited availability to parts even for most commercial parts.

 

[rustystud]

If you can get a Dana 135 for the rear and a Dana 70 for the front that should work OK.

 

[98G]

t no winch, no hauling, and no towing. l.

Why else have a truck?

 

[rustystud]

Why else have a truck?

If he just wants a basic Bobber to "tool-around" with then these differentials will work for him. If he plans to actually "use" this truck (ie: Haul, Tow, Winch) then he will need stronger axles under it.
I agree with you about "Why else have a truck" . To me a truck is a tool, and if my tools will not do their job then what good are they ? This truck really needs a medium duty trucks differentials, something along the lines of a Ford F-650 or similar. I know a lot of people think the deuce is close to a Ford 450 or 500 or the GMC 500 series trucks but that is not true. If you look at the frame size and the spring packs the deuce has, it is closer to the Ford F-650 trucks. Remember where talking about a 5 ton payload here. The 2.5 ton rating is for "cross-country" use ! That's driving over hill and dale and through the streams type of driving. For those who don't believe me look at the specifications for the Deuce fire truck. It carries a 1000 gallon water tank plus the pumps and all the other equipment needed. This is all on the "same" chassis as the regular deuce. Of course this is for "road uses only" .

 

[porkysplace]

If he just wants a basic Bobber to "tool-around" with then these differentials will work for him. If he plans to actually "use" this truck (ie: Haul, Tow, Winch) then he will need stronger axles under it.
I agree with you about "Why else have a truck" . To me a truck is a tool, and if my tools will not do their job then what good are they ? This truck really needs a medium duty trucks differentials, something along the lines of a Ford F-650 or similar. I know a lot of people think the deuce is close to a Ford 450 or 500 or the GMC 500 series trucks but that is not true. If you look at the frame size and the spring packs the deuce has, it is closer to the Ford F-650 trucks. Remember where talking about a 5 ton payload here. The 2.5 ton rating is for "cross-country" use ! That's driving over hill and dale and through the streams type of driving. For those who don't believe me look at the specifications for the Deuce fire truck. It carries a 1000 gallon water tank plus the pumps and all the other equipment needed. This is all on the "same" chassis as the regular deuce. Of course this is for "road uses only" .

A Ford F550 has a heavier payload (6 1/4 ton) than a Deuce on road , you must have missed post # 13

 

[Section8]

I plan to use my truck. It will not be a toy to go for Sunday drives in.
I have a ranch with farm equipment that breaks down and would like to have a good deal of my tools on board for field repairs. I also will be hauling live stock, hay, feed, equipment, etc.
Save the keep it stock thoughts. I do not want to run tandems. I know it will have more capabilities for loads on and off road but I don't want the extra hassle of maintaining two more sets of brakes and rubber. Plus the pain in the *** DOT out here who love picking on any guy driving a medium duty truck and up with tandems.
Think I will keep my eyes open for Dana 135 or equivalent for rear and an appropriate front axle.
I knew I should have pulled the rear axle it of the international 1800? , that I pulled the 2 inch bored hydro max master brake cylinder out of. Then I would only be searching for a front axle.
Thank you for all your comments. They sure help a guy pondering things to try and do it right.
Wish I had even a fraction of some of your guys knowledge and experience.

 

[rchalmers3]

I am considering selling since I am wanting a little more modern drive line and have easier accessibility to parts when needed.

If your axles have bearings, seals and brake parts available, why mess with them? They are fitted to the truck's suspension, they have good load carrying capacity, they are geared correctly..... why sell them and throw that all that goodness away?

Besides the effort and expense for modifications, you may consider that even more modern axles suffer from decreased braking effectiveness when fitting oversize tires. You may also encounter re-gearing constraints (price/availability) with popular modern units. You will be going into the unknown regarding braking effectiveness whether you keep your axles or swap them when fitting big meats.

Here's an option: wait on selling your axles until you have it running (with your chosen power plant!) and have fitted the tires you want to run, then assess your braking, gearing and power requirements, based on your farm operations.

Rick

 

[rustystud]

A Ford F550 has a heavier payload (6 1/4 ton) than a Deuce on road , you must have missed post # 13

I went to the Ford site and used their weight capacities chart. The F650 was the closest to the Deuce.
Remember the Deuce can have a GVWR of almost 26,000 Ibs .

 

[porkysplace]

I went to the Ford site and used their weight capacities chart. The F650 was the closest to the Deuce.
Remember the Deuce can have a GVWR of almost 26,000 Ibs .

M35A2
empty weight 1300
GVWR 23000

The F550 may have a lower GVWR but the FACTS are it has higher cargo rating .

 

[rustystud]

View attachment Scan0109.pdf

M35A2
empty weight 1300
GVWR 23000

The F550 may have a lower GVWR but the FACTS are it has higher cargo rating .

Yes Facts are Facts except when it comes to the actual REAL world. The Ford people along with GMC and Chrysler would have you believe their trucks can tow Trains and Planes and Automobiles all day long. Well that is just not true. What is the actual frame size on the F 550 ? How does it compare to the frame on the Deuce ? How about the spring pack ? Is it even close ? What about the differentials, how large are the tubes ? Are they even close to the Deuce ? The answer to all those questions is NO ! The deuce was rated in a different time when trucks where actually rated for continuous duty. Now they are rated for maybe an afternoon or a few hours use. I know, I worked at a few dealerships in my time. It all started in the 1970's when everything got "bigger" and "better" then everyone else. Now all the BS coming from the factories is so thick you cannot even get close to the truth anymore. Put your Ford F550 next to a deuce and tell me with a straight face that it can out haul that deuce all day, every day.
If you say yes then you have totally drank all the koolaid ! That transmission for one would fail in weeks if not days. I know I have rebuilt them ! We had the Ford F550 chassis for our Mini bus and it was a joke ! The transmissions would only last 10,000 miles before becoming total piles of crap ! We started pulling them at 5,000 for total rebuilds. That is hauling about 5 to 8 passengers around. Most times only 3. Look at the Vietnam Gun trucks. How much where they actually hauling ? Remember they had the guns and ALL that ammo. Ammo is heavy, I know having to hump it in the Marines. Those trucks where not driving down nice smooth roads either. The deuce is a very underrated truck as most here know. In todays market the sales people would be saying it has a payload of 20,000 Ibs !
Would that be true ? No but it can haul that much, I know as I have done it. Lets see the Ford F550 haul around 10 tons and see how it likes it. Oh wait, the transmission is laying on the ground.

 

[porkysplace]

View attachment 620033

Yes Facts are Facts except when it comes to the actual REAL world. The Ford people along with GMC and Chrysler would have you believe their trucks can tow Trains and Planes and Automobiles all day long. Well that is just not true. What is the actual frame size on the F 550 ? How does it compare to the frame on the Deuce ? How about the spring pack ? Is it even close ? What about the differentials, how large are the tubes ? Are they even close to the Deuce ? The answer to all those questions is NO ! The deuce was rated in a different time when trucks where actually rated for continuous duty. Now they are rated for maybe an afternoon or a few hours use. I know, I worked at a few dealerships in my time. It all started in the 1970's when everything got "bigger" and "better" then everyone else. Now all the BS coming from the factories is so thick you cannot even get close to the truth anymore. Put your Ford F550 next to a deuce and tell me with a straight face that it can out haul that deuce all day, every day.
If you say yes then you have totally drank all the koolaid ! That transmission for one would fail in weeks if not days. I know I have rebuilt them ! We had the Ford F550 chassis for our Mini bus and it was a joke ! The transmissions would only last 10,000 miles before becoming total piles of crap ! We started pulling them at 5,000 for total rebuilds. That is hauling about 5 to 8 passengers around. Most times only 3. Look at the Vietnam Gun trucks. How much where they actually hauling ? Remember they had the guns and ALL that ammo. Ammo is heavy, I know having to hump it in the Marines. Those trucks where not driving down nice smooth roads either. The deuce is a very underrated truck as most here know. In todays market the sales people would be saying it has a payload of 20,000 Ibs !
Would that be true ? No but it can haul that much, I know as I have done it. Lets see the Ford F550 haul around 10 tons and see how it likes it. Oh wait, the transmission is laying on the ground.

It sounds more like a issue with drivers and mechanics than the trucks . We are running service trucks that are loaded to capacity 24/7 and haven't replaced a single transmisson with over 200k on them. And the F550 dump will leave the stone dock with 25% more load than a deuce and still not be overweight running the same 24000 gvw plate.