Dana 80 conversion. Double checking

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Jul 4, 2012
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Fixin to swap one in a 97. Wanting to double check what all has to be done, and is needed. Tried the search couldn't find anything. Any input would be great
 
need more info. whats in truck already. what year rear? if you have a 70 should be direct fit. unless the 80 is from a newer disc rear then are issues with brake lines.
 
Shorten drive-shaft, and maybe different u-joint. Make sure you have the 80 model u-bolts and cradles.
 
sledshaker said:
Shorten drive-shaft, and maybe different u-joint. Make sure you have the 80 model u-bolts and cradles.
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Got the u bolts and cradles. Do you know how much shorter the shaft needs to be? That'd get me rolling.

Couldn't tell you what year 24v it came out of, but nuff said. Drums no disks.
Thanks guys
 
U could use a disc brake rear just b a lil more work to swap and more parts to find/get...
 
I know of 2 people that didn't shorten their driveshaft after the swap from a 70 to an 80. So far so good after a few years, but it does stick the yoke up a little farther into the transfer case. Doesn't leave a whole lot of room for travel.

I've only done one on a 2001 truck. He went from a Dana70 disc brake to a Dana80 drum. Kind of aggravating since all the stuff on his truck was metric and all the stuff on the D80 was standard. Had to make a couple trips to the parts store and do some line flaring. But it turned out pretty good.
 
not to hijack your thread but i have a 94 with the spicer 70, would it be worth it to swap in a dana 80, or get a loaded carrier and swap out the open carrier?
 
Been driving mine for four years without shortening the drive shaft with no issues. Does make it a pain to pull the drive shaft out. Had one shaft shortened and they couldnt get it to quit vibrating so I went back to a stock one.
 
Ive done two dana swaps in the past year like this. One was on a first gen and the other was on a 96. For the 96 I didn't have to shorten the driveshaft and it cleared just enough but I have the correct driveshaft for it so I used it. Other than that if its drums, bolt it up and roll.
 
sh13lds21 said:
not to hijack your thread but i have a 94 with the spicer 70, would it be worth it to swap in a dana 80, or get a loaded carrier and swap out the open carrier?
Click to expand...

Go with the 80. Good luck breaking one
 
Never said a boat wouldn't float. Tried breakin one for years at about 700 asphalt just isn't sticky enough. That's pretty solid humbly said.
 
Yes 1" to a 1 1/2", this will allow better clearance on the rear yoke and also keep from jamming the slip yoke into the transfer if you put a extremely heavy load on the bed.
 
It's 2wd so we'll see what kinda pressure it puts in the carrier not being cut. Appreciate the help!
 
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