Dodge Dana 80 Swap

PSDEng · Jul 4, 2012

Hello all,

I'm in the process of gathering parts to install a Dodge Dana 80 into my pulling truck. I plan on running 305/70/16s on the stock steel wheels, and I'm assuming I'll need ~2" spacers for them. I know I'll need to cut and move the spring perches for them to fit properly. I'm also assuming I'll need to get a new U-joint for my driveshaft to mate to the yoke on the axle.

I do have a few questions for ya'll however, especially those who have done similar swaps.

What is all involved in hooking the brake lines and the speed sensor up?

Do the spacers need to be lug centric as well?

Any and all advice you all can offer me would be great. I'm hoping that I can do the swap in 2-4 hours from start to finish, but depending on what all is involved that me be unrealistic.

Thanks everybody!

Buffalo444 · Jul 4, 2012

I'm interested, as I want to put one in my OBS dually for added strength and disc brakes if I can find em.

Brake lines shouldn't be that big of a deal, just find an adapter for the union block on the axle. I am unsure about the speed sensor.

PSDEng · Jul 5, 2012

Thanks for the info. I thought that I had read before that the speed sensor will hook up no problem, but I could be mistaken.

PSDEng · Jul 6, 2012

Bump....maybe a mod can move this to the sled pulling section for me??

Cat_rebel · Jul 6, 2012

PM Jason Lambert (Powerstrokestang) he has one on his puller.

PSDEng · Jul 6, 2012

Cat_rebel said:
PM Jason Lambert (Powerstrokestang) he has one on his puller.

Thank you sir, I sent him a PM. I was hoping you would chime in as I've read in a couple threads that you've posted in on similar topics.

I know pontiacross has also done a swap, which is why I asked for the thread to be moved.

PSDEng · Aug 25, 2012

Got it done.

Buffalo444 · Aug 25, 2012

looks damn good, care to do a write up?

amarillo250 · Aug 25, 2012

great job and looks real good. How difficult was it can it be done to 2006 trucks as well?

Dustball8504 · Aug 25, 2012

Truck looks sick! I'd like to see this truck in action

Buffalo444 · Aug 25, 2012

amarillo250 said:
great job and looks real good. How difficult was it can it be done to 2006 trucks as well?

No point, just get a D80 from an 05-07 (possibly other years, not sure) dually and swap it out.

PSDEng · Aug 26, 2012

Buffalo444 said:
looks damn good, care to do a write up?

Thank you sir. It's a pretty straight forward install, just a matter of cutting and welding spring perches, making spacers (I had to space out both wheels), and a shortened driveshaft with a 1410 yoke.

Dustball8504 said:
Truck looks sick! I'd like to see this truck in action

I'll be around PA a lot this fall. I think I'm going to head to the Grange Fair again Tuesday, then on Friday Indiana County Fair. Are there any pulls up your way?

amarillo250 · Aug 26, 2012

Buffalo444 said:
No point, just get a D80 from an 05-07 (possibly other years, not sure) dually and swap it out.

can you give me some more input on that, please

Buffalo444 · Aug 26, 2012

PSDEng said:
Thank you sir. It's a pretty straight forward install, just a matter of cutting and welding spring perches, making spacers (I had to space out both wheels), and a shortened driveshaft with a 1410 yoke.

I'll be around PA a lot this fall. I think I'm going to head to the Grange Fair again Tuesday, then on Friday Indiana County Fair. Are there any pulls up your way?

Were the spacers necessary or was it just to fit those wider tires?

Buffalo444 · Aug 26, 2012

amarillo250 said:
can you give me some more input on that, please

Actually, you may be able to get one from 99-up. I'm not sure which bolt pattern you have (either 8x170 or 8x200), but as long as it is the same as your front axle, you should just be able to unbolt your rear end, drop it out, and put the dually rear in and bolt it up. The only other thing i could see you running in to is needing to swap driveshafts if the yolks are different or if they are different lengths, but thats it. that is a much easier swap than going to a dodge axle on an OBS.

PSDEng · Aug 26, 2012

Buffalo444 said:
Were the spacers necessary or was it just to fit those wider tires?

Just for the wider tires. The inside tires are on the stock steel rim. The stock steel rim and smaller tire fit in there nicely, but once the BFG went on it hit the spring pack.