Thanks much Grigg!
I spent some time in your image albums. I love your work! I was also intrigued by your speedometer update.
I crawled under a big dodge truck across the street that has a Dana 80 under it, and it turns out the tubes are not 4.5" in diameter like I said in my post above (information on the internet is not always correct), but they are 4.00" in diameter. The Eaton 1350 has 4.25" diameter tubes. So I'm thinking you are right about the Dana 80 being strong enough. I too will never overload this thing.
According to Wikipedia, the C3500 HD with the Dana 80 rear axle is rated to 15,000 GVW (gross vehicle weight). That's only a 1,000 lbs less than the 2-Ton GMC 350 I have here rated at 16,000 GVW. What's great about the Dana 80 is the availability of parts!
The 6 lug 22.5" wheels seem to be available new as well. Here is link to a 22.5" dia x 6.75" wide, 6 lug on 8.75" bolt circle with a 6.50" center hole. The look of the wheel is close to the original. I've never liked the look of the ones you see that have the giant diameter flat center. The company is Wheels Now.
http://www.wheelsnowinc.com/catalog/viewItem.php?id=219Hope this helps the original poster of this message.
David
