The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Is this Dana differential a good choice?

I am planning to switch my torque tube differential and tranny for an open driveline. This will be for a '41 half ton that will also get a newer transmission hopefully a T-5. Would this be a good choice?

As described by the seller

Dana 35C rear axle from '91 Jeep Commanche pickup. Will fit all years of Commanche pickup (MJ) '84-'92 & Cherokee (XJ) from '84-'01. The "C" means it's a C-clip axle. C-clip axles were used in all '91 through '01 model rear axles. Has 3.08:1 gearing. Had new brake drums & shoes installed with about 500 miles on them before pinion bearing failed. No other component damage. All internal parts are fine. Axle Shafts alone are worth more than what I'm asking. Was going to use the axle shafts for wife's '94 Grand Cherokee but they will not work. The housing will need to have new shock mounts welded back on.

Would this be a good candidate, are the gears too high for a manual tranny? I am going to measure my drum spacing to compare widths, as I might check it out this weekend.

Or is this unit not a good choice, it sounds like I can get it cheap.

John

A dana 35 is pretty light duty. A dana 44 or dana 60 would be stronger. The gears are a bit high for an overdrive as 3.08 gears are already almost considered an overdrive.

I think you would be happier with a stronger rear. The one mentioned would probably live pretty well behind a 235, but the gears aren't that desireable with an overdrive... unless the OD ratio is about a 0.85:1. For all practical purposes 3.55 to 4.11 gears would perform the best. the 3.55 being on the economy side, and the 4.11 being better towing or hill climbing gears. A 4.11 ratio is effectively a 3.0 ratio with a standard .73 overdrive.

They would almost need to pay you before it would be a good deal. The cost of repairs could easily be more than the cost of a better unit in servable condition.

On the other hand the gears could work okay if you have enough power. I have 3.08 gears under my '55 GMC Suburban and am pretty happy with them. I have 3.07 gears in a Corvette with an overdrive and it performs great. I wouldn't use either to pull a trailer though.

The GMC has a 270 and the 'vette is a 'vette...

My first impression is no,
the Dana 35 is not very desirable
C clip axles are no good in my opinion (disc brakes would help some with that)
The 3.08 is more than likely geared to fast with an OD transmission.
Don't yet know width and bolt pattern?

If I had a 1/2 ton with 4 speed, the bolt pattern and width of the axle were right on, and it was less than $100 and less than an hour away, then I would give it a try, and probably be happy with it.
Sounds like that's not the case for you.

Grigg

I would say the best choice would be to use a F@rd 9" they can be found in many widths and are easily modified for any application.

The 70s and 80s Wagoneer axles are pretty tough & narrow. You can keep the 6 bolt lug pattern also.

If one were to go that route, might as well use a 12 bolt from a '73-'76 Blazer and keep all Chevy! And get a stronger axle, too.