I've been planning my rebuild and budget for my truck. It is a converted dually (see sig), and I'd like to keep it that way. My truck will mostly be a for-fun truck, not (usually) a daily driver. I'll be putting a 5th-wheel hitch in (has one on the flatbed right now). I will also be building up the engine a bit.

I really want to overbuild certain stuff so I have plenty of room for future expansion (maybe I'll bore out my engine, get a more agressive cam and increase the compression - or I might want to tow a 10k or 15k trailer). I won't be running tires over 32"-33" (have about 32" right now). I also won't be doing much off-roading (it's a dually), so I'm not worried as much about clearance.

So... should I go with a rebuilt Dana 80 front / 90 rear, or maybe a rebuilt Rockwell 5 ton setup? I've always been fascinated by Dana axles.

Searching for axle at car-parts.com:
front
(DRW), 4.88 ratio, (13mm thick hub flange)
(DRW), 5.38 ratio, (13mm thick hub flange)

rear
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 4.88 ratio, tag F81A-BH
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 4.88 ratio, tag F81A-BJ
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 4.88 ratio, tag F81A-BK
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 4.88 ratio, tag F81A-BL
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 4.88 ratio, tag F81A-BM
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 4.88 ratio, tag F81A-GJ
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 4.88 ratio, tag F81A-GK
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 5.38 ratio, tag F81A-HJ
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 5.38 ratio, tag F81A-HK
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 5.38 ratio, tag F81A-HM
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 5.38 ratio, tag F81A-HN
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 5.38 ratio, tag F81A-HP
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 5.38 ratio, tag XC35-RA
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 5.38 ratio, tag XC35-RB
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 4.88 ratio, tag YC35-JA
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 4.88 ratio, tag YC35-PA
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 5.38 ratio, tag YC35-RA
(11.25" ring gear, DRW), 5.38 ratio, tag YC35-TA


$1500 for the front 80, around $1800 for the rear 90 (I think those are the right ones - no idea which tag to choose).

And forgive me if I say anything stupid - I don't know as much about engines and transmissions and such as the rest of you).

(edit: it's giving me the axles for an F-550 which I'm told are too narrow)

 

brentnewland im doing just about the same thing you are doing(converting to 1ton dually). what i would suggest doing is keeping the dana 70 rear that you have, and then finding a DRW front dana60, for what you want to do with the truck those axles you have listed are kinda overkill, and you will be just fine with the 60/70 combo. and on the plus side you already have one axle and the front should only cost you around a grand.

Austin

edit-modern day 1ton trucks are running the equivalent of the dana 60/70, and really dont have any problems pulling the kina weight that you have listed.

 

I have considered a D60 (or hell, maybe even a D70 front, although that would probably also be overkill). It certainly would be cheaper.

But let's say I was crazy (or stupid) enough to do an 80/90 conversion. I'm having a hard time finding info on the Dana 90's (and the Dana site doesn't have info on them, either).

1985 Ford Bronco $5,000 Possible trade | Custom Lifted Truck Classifieds | Lifted Truck Sales (2000 F-450 has D80/D90 and it fit on an 85 bronco)
Ranchers.net's Bull Session :: 1998 Dodge 3/4 ton should I or shouldnt I 06/07 Dodge Diesel Duallies might have the D80/D90
1994 Ford Superduty XL Diesel Dump **Trade for Tractor** A 94 Ford "Superduty" with a D90 4.10
ROCKCRAWLER.com 2003 F-450 560 Diesel with Dana 90 front and rear 3.90
VaroomVroom! eBay Find of the Day: Sleeper ‘66 Dodge Coronet Wagon 440 Six Pack Hemi Dana 90, alludes to 70 challenger having these

 

iirc the only issue i see is that the speedometer crap is electronic, and that could be a bitch to hook up. otherwise overkill is always better than not enough.

 

Dana 90????? What is that?
Dana 80 front?
Rear 80's still onlu have 1.5" axles,so what does anything larger have to offer?

Top loader Rocks are simply not going to fit under a truck that has 32 inch rubber.

Regardless of HP, you are never going to hurt a stock D60 front, or 70 rear with 32 inch tires.
Do you have a link for this Carparts.com? I have searched the site,and cant seem to find what you are looking at.
I would like to see this Dana 80 front axle for 1500 bucks.

 

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

Look up a 2000 Ford F-450 Superduty in Colorado - part is the "Axle Assy Fr(4WD w. Housing)"

2000
Front Axle Assy.
Ford Truck F550 Super Duty
A00K053 $1500
Denver Ford Parts Ltd. USA-CO(Denver) E-mail 1-303-295-2668

As far as I can find out, if it's an F-450+ with Dually's (noted by the DRW in the axle selection screen on the second page), it's got Dana 80 fronts.

I posted all the info I could find about Dana-90's, but I haven't decided to call Dana yet.