Fabrication Question - Tow Rig Dana 80 Rear Axle Swap (1 Viewer)

[Will Van]

I have a fabrication question. I want to swap a Dana 80 DRW axle from a 2nd gen Dodge Cummins 3500 into a 1st gen W350 for the ultimate tow rig.



The W350 comes with a Dana 70 rear axle and 2.5” leaf springs. The Dana 80 rear from the 2nd gen is the exact same width and has the same spring perch mounting locations as the Dana 70. The only problem is the perch on the Dana 80 is 3” wide whereas the Dana 70 perch (and W350 springs) are only 2.5” wide.



So if I install a spring plate to mount the Dana 80 axle, the U-bolts will be 1/2” wider than the springs.



Therefore there will be a 1/4” space between the u-bolts and the leaf springs (1/4” gap between red line and blue line).



My question is, does it matter? Should I remove the 3” Dana 80 perch and weld a 2.5” spring perch instead? Or is the 0.25” gap negligible if I have the appropriate spring plate?

 

[gnob]

i think it's probably negligible.
you could cap the spring with a cut down section of square tube to make up the difference.

 

[cruzinfj1]

Itll be fine. I see that you still have the spring clamps on. If you wouldnt still have those, you might see some fanning of the springs. Make sure to check the torque on them a couple times after getting some miles on it as things settle in.

 

[matzell]

you should be fine

 

[cruisermatt]

It will be completely

 

[LowDown]

I can tell you from experience it'll be OK