best D80 dually axle?

[ahale2772]

im finnally activly in the search for a d80 dually rear to throw under the 89 (with 3.54 gears), im seeing many different variations of these succkers and i dont really know what to look for.

im guessing a drum brake axle would be easiest for a swap? (not that im opposed to disk but I dont want a hard pedal from huge rear calipers)

any years that are best for axle shaft size and or ring and pinion durability?

ive asked this before but what would it take to make the driveshaft fit? easiest to take the stock shaft and re-tube it with the d80 rear yoke?

not too worried about ubolts/ shock location.

thanks...

[Mark Nixon]

I'd purposefully buy a Disc braked D-80, if it were a choice and the 2 were the same price.
There is no "better" axle size, anything that'll fit under a 1st gen will likely have a 35 spline axle.
There's some Fords (or Chevy?) D-80s with 37 spline axles, but they are pretty wide and many are 10 luggers.

Contrary to what you think, a larger chamber volume (disc caliper) DECREASES pedal stiffness, but also slows application.

As far as the driveshaft, shorten the stock shaft, it's @ an inch too long.
Dodge D-80s usually have the same 1410 yoke span as the 1st gens do.

Mark.

[RumbleFish]

I don't think a disc rear will fit inside the 16" drw wheels. And get a pickup width, the c&c looks like poo. Oh, grab the rear sway bar if it's on there too. Way nice upgrade for towing.

[Mark Nixon]

I don't think a disc rear will fit inside the 16" drw wheels. And get a pickup width, the c&c looks like poo. Oh, grab the rear sway bar if it's on there too. Way nice upgrade for towing.

Good point.
The disc duallies I have seen are all 17 inchers.
I believe the wheels are at a minimum 7 inches wide, which means you can actually get a higher load rated tire under them without having them touch with even a moderate load.

Mark.

[dazedandconfused]

My 01 3500 had disc brakes and 16" duals.

[ellis93]

My 01 3500 had disc brakes and 16" duals.

Yep, I'll confirm this and I think some super dooty ferds too.

[Mark Nixon]

Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking.
I have a disc braked Dana 70 from under a DRW 1999 Ferd Whambulance, it had 16s on it.
It's even a locking 4.10, FWIW.

Mark.

[oldestof11]

What is the fascination with D80 rears????

I would take a 14 bolt over the Dana any day. The extra pinion bearing, HUGE aftermarket support, 3.08's to what ever I want, 35splines and higher, CHEAPER!

I know they can't take abuse. A lot of 2.6" Sled pullers are going AAM 11.5" (Or whatever is under the GM's and CR Dodges) for the most part and a few going 14B.

Heck, I believe pulltilbroke has an old Eaton...

[Mark Nixon]

Heck, I believe pulltilbroke has an old Eaton...

Nope!
He's running a D-80, peg-legger.
Though I do agree, the 14 bolt is one hell of an axle.
I abused the daylights out of one in another carhauler I had.
A 440 couldn't kill it and I tore up a whole slew of those POS junk Mopar 727s with that same 440.
The 14 bolt never gave me one issue in all that time.

Mark.

[oldestof11]

Roo's thread, stillsmokins truck. I found the link:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4938

[pulltilbroke]

Shoot the D80 is plenty tough I shock loaded the holy piss out of mine this weekend. I actually havn't had any grief from the 80 since it went in. But If I were to do it again I would run a 3.73 14 bolt. I wish there was a 3.73 gearset available for the HO72 cause then thats what I would run too.

[Mark Nixon]

....I shock loaded the holy piss out of mine this weekend. I actually havn't had any grief from the 80 since it went in....

Well, you HAVE had a little grief, but not from the 80.
They can now call your "hero" by the name "rabbit" or "bunny", because it was hopping quite a lot that night.

Just ribbing you, man, you did give it the best try you could.

I had a good time watching the machinery tug the sled around.

Mark.

[ahale2772]

thanks for the replies guys, I would go 14 bolt if i could find one with 3.54 gears, im sure I could buy those grears aftermarket but i dont really want to get into ripping the carrier out..but then again with the ability to buy a 14bolt for so cheep maybe I should...

[ahale2772]

what other weird dually axles would work?

im assuming the size of the axle tube is one of the only restrictions? (so the u-bolts would fit around)

ebrake cables/drive shaft im not too worried about

are most 10lug d80's ment to run 19.5 rims?

are those h072's nice axles?

[dazedandconfused]

I'm personally not a fan of the 14 bolt. We have killed 8 of them like they were nothing. 2 in a stock big block 97 GMC, 1 in a 95 Chevy 3500, 3 in my 81 crew can chevy with an 89 Cummins 727 combo & 2 in a 94 Chevy 3500 6.5. They do not like the abuse we have put then threw.