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The Dana/Spicer Model 70 is an automotive axle manufactured by Dana Holding Corporation and has been used in OEM heavy duty applications by Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ford. It can be identified by its straight axle tubes, 10 bolt asymmetrical cover, and a "70" cast in to the housing, which is visually similar to the Dana 60. The majority of the Dana 70s are rear axles, however Dana 70 front axles do exist. Both front and rear axle variations were first offered in 1957. The Dana 70 is generally regarded to have more strength than a Dana 60 but not as much as a Dana 80. Gross axle weight ratings are often lowered by the vehicle manufacturer for safety and tire reasons.
In general, Dana 70 front axles are uncommon, due to attributes that the Dana 60 front axle can match. The main advantage a Dana 70 front axle has over a Dana 60 front axle is better gross axle weight ratings.
The first Dana 70 front axle was used in 1958 by Dodge in the W300, in both 4.88 and 5.87 ratios. International started using Dana 70 front axles in the late 1960s. Both companies used Dana 70 front axles until the mid-1970s (Dodge W300 pickup up until 1978, discontinued in 1979). All of these Dana 70 front axles were closed knuckle, with king pins and had a GAWR of 6000 lbs. Like the rear Dana 70 axles, the Dana 70 front axle started out with 23 spline axle shafts and then went to 35 spline axle shafts. While these axles were being manufactured, Dana offered a "Power-Lok" limited slip differential for some of these axles.
GM began making 4x4 Chevrolet Kodiaks and GMC Topkicks that utilize a Dana 70 front axle for the 2005-2009 models. These Dana 70 axles had open knuckles and ball joints. The Dana 70 axle only came with 5.13:1, 4.88,5.31 [ citation needed ]gear ratios and had a GAWR of[ citation needed ] these axles were rated at 7-9klbs as seen on 5500 door stickers. They differ greatly from previous Dana 70 front axles, some of the major differences being the use of 1550 Universal Joints and being a high pinion, reverse cut axle. [ citation needed ] these axles were in gm, Chevrolet and Navistar international on 4200 and terrestar cabs, and still used in today on gmc/Chevrolet/international 4500,5500 trucks. Dana Super 60 since Ford kept it active in its trucks. Ford uses Marmon, Meritor, and Eaton/Dana/spicer Powered front axles on f650/f750 trucks.
All Dana 70 rear axles are full floating and typically have a gross axle rating of 7,500 lb (3,400 kg). The Dana 70 rear axle was first used in the Dodge W300 in 1958. The Dana 70 started out using 10 spline pinions and 23 spline axle shafts. The later, more current, Dana 70 axles use 29 spline pinions and 32 or 35 spline axle shafts. Dana offered two different limited slip differentials with the Dana 70, the "Power-Lok" and the "Trac-Lok."
The Dana Super 70 rear differential has become a staple axle for GM and Ford in the dual rear wheel chassis cab vans since 1999. The ring gear is larger at 10.75 inches and features 37 spline axle shafts. Only 2 OEM gear ratios are offered: 4.10 gears and 4.56 gears. [1]
In the 1970s the Dana 70HD was offered. The axle tubes were increased to 4 inches (100 mm) diameter and carrier bearings were larger and thicker, the axle shafts were 35 spline only. These upgrades gave the Dana 70HD a gross axle rating of 10,000 lb (4,500 kg). The Dana 70 front drive axles used in the Chevrolet Kodiaks and GMC Topkicks also had these features. This axle was standard for the Big Three (automobile manufacturers) dual rear wheel trucks until 1985, when Ford started using the Sterling 10.25 rear axle. However Ford still kept the Dana 70HD an option until the Dana 80 was made available. The axle was available or optional for the Big Three until 1994 when Dodge used the Dana 80 for its dual rear wheel trucks instead. The Dana 70HD is still seen in commercial applications today. In the UK the 70HD Dana axles were license built by Salisbury Engineering in an early 10/23 spline version with a 4.3 tonnes (9,500 lb) rating for the Ford A-series truck with a European 6 × 205 mm (8.1 in) DIN standard hub bolt pattern.
In the 1980s the Dana 70U or Dana 70B was offered. GM, Ford and Dodge all used this axle. This axle had a smaller pinion bearing and mostly have 32 spline axle shafts. The Dana 70U and Dana 70B both have gross axle weight ratings of 7,500 lb (3,400 kg). The 2nd generation Dodge Ram trucks consistently feature this axle in the 2500 trucks with the Diesel or V10 and automatic transmission. This axle was designed for single rear wheel applications.
There are three pinion offsets for the Dana 70 rear axle. 1⁄2, 5⁄8 and 31⁄32 inch (13, 16 and 25 mm) offset. The first Dana 70 axles had a 1⁄2-inch (13 mm) pinion offset and were found in Dana 70HD's as well. The drawback with the 1/2-inch offset was that a 4.10:1 gear ratio was the highest gear set possible. In the 1970s the 1/2-inch offset was phased out for a 5⁄8-inch (16 mm) offset that allowed for higher gearing. The 5/8 offset was used in all the major variations of the Dana 70 and is still being used today. A 31⁄32-inch (25 mm) offset was used for a short time in the late 1980s to the early 1990s to allow even higher gears than the 5/8 offset could offer. Only the Dana 70-3HD used the 31/32-inch offset.
The Dodge Power Wagon is a four-wheel drive medium duty truck that was produced in various model series from 1945 to 1980 by Dodge. The Power Wagon name was revived for the 2005 model year as a four-wheel drive version of the Dodge Ram 2500. As a nameplate, "Power Wagon" continues as a special package of the four-wheel drive version of 3/4 ton Ram Trucks 2500 model.
The Chevrolet K5 Blazer is a full-size sport-utility vehicle that was built by General Motors. Being GM's smallest full-size SUV, the K5 Blazer is part of the C/K truck series. Introduced to the Chevrolet line for the 1969 model year, the K5 Blazer was replaced for 1995 by the Chevrolet Tahoe. In 1970, GMC introduced its own model of the truck, called the Jimmy, which was discontinued in 1991 and replaced by the Yukon. The "Jimmy" name was chosen to reflect how GM may sound in a similar manner to how Jeep was thought to be a pronunciation of GP in the competing market. Both were short-wheelbase trucks and available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. Despite all Chevrolet versions from 1969 to 1988 having the "K5" badge, GM never internally referred to the model as the K5 Blazer/K5 Jimmy. Officially, the vehicles have always been referred to as the Blazer/Jimmy, without the K5 prefix. After the release of the S-Series Blazer/Jimmy in 1983, the models were officially renamed "Chevrolet Full-Size Blazer" and "GMC K-Jimmy", though they are often unofficially still addressed as "K5" to avoid confusion.
Turbo-Hydramatic or Turbo Hydra-Matic is the registered tradename for a family of automatic transmissions developed and produced by General Motors. These transmissions mate a three-element turbine torque converter to a Simpson planetary geartrain, providing three forward speeds plus reverse.
The 4L60E is a series of automatic transmissions from General Motors. Designed for longitudinal engine configurations, the series includes 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. The 4L60E is the electronically commanded evolution of the Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4, originally produced in 1982.
The TREMEC TR-4050 is a 5-speed manual transmission for longitudinal engine rear wheel drive trucks. It includes one overdrive gear and a light-weight aluminum housing. It is manufactured by Transmission Technologies Corporation. New 4wd TR-4050 units are currently available in the United States through any Authorized Tremec Distributor.
The New Venture Gear 3500, commonly called NV3500, is a 5-speed overdrive manual transmission manufactured by New Venture Gear and used by GM and Dodge in compact and full-size light trucks.
It can be identified by its two-piece aluminum case with integrated bell housing and top-mounted tower shifter.
The New Venture Gear 4500, colloquially known as NV4500, is a 5-speed manual transmission manufactured by New Venture Gear and used in General Motors and Chrysler products from 1991 to 2007.
Vehicles made by American Motors Corporation (AMC) and Jeep incorporated a variety of transmissions and transfer case systems. This article covers transmissions used in the following vehicle models and years:
The GM 10.5" 14-bolt differential stands as a robust drivetrain component extensively featured in Chevrolet and GMC trucks, SUVs, and vans from 1973 onward, including specific versions of the Cadillac Escalade. Introduced in 1973, this differential employs a full-floating design, boasting a substantial ring gear diameter measuring 10.5 inches. Its nomenclature, "14-bolt," represents the 14 bolts securing the differential cover, although the ring gear itself is fastened by 12 bolts. Notably, the 14-bolt differential gained traction among Jeep Wrangler owners seeking axle replacement options, earning the moniker "corporate" 14-bolt because of its association with GM's corporate structure during the 1970s.
The Dana/Spicer Model 60 is an automotive axle manufactured by Dana Holding Corporation and used in OEM pickup and limited passenger car applications by Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ford and Land Rover. There are front and rear versions of the Dana 60. It can be readily identified by its straight axle tubes, 10 bolt asymmetrical cover, and a "60" cast into the housing. Gross axle weight ratings are often lowered by the vehicle manufacturer for safety and tire reasons. They are also lowered to reduce loads on other powertrain components such as transmissions and transfer cases. Dana 60 Axles are also increasingly swapped into many custom offroad applications to accommodate larger tires and deep compound gearing with locking differentials.
The Dana/Spicer Model 80 is an automotive axle manufactured by Dana Holding Corporation and has been used in OEM heavy duty applications by Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ford. It can be identified by its straight axle tubes, 10 bolt asymmetrical cover, and a "80" cast into the housing. Dana 80's are made as full floating, rear axles only and are a step up in overall strength compared to the Dana 70. 1988 Ford was the first company to use the Dana 80. The Dana 80 has a GAWR up to 11,000 pounds (5,000 kg), however it is common practice among manufacturers to derate Dana 80's. Gross axle weight ratings are lowered by the vehicle manufacturer for safety and tire reasons. The OEM Limited slip differential originally was a "Power Lok" until 1998 when the "Trac Lok" phased it out. Trac Loks were a $350.00 USD option with Ford Super Duty trucks. The Dana 80 Trac Lok is unique being it is a 4 pinion unit, unlike other Dana Trac Lok units with 2 pinions. This was the only rear axle available for the 2nd generation Dodge Ram 3500 trucks.
The Dana/Spicer Model 50 was an automotive axle manufactured by the Dana Holding Corporation for 25 years and was used solely in OEM Ford applications. Dana 50's were made as front axles only until it was revived in rear solid axle configuration in the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor. The Dana 50 has a "50" cast into the housing and is regarded to have more strength than a Dana 44, but not as much as a Dana 60. It was only produced in a reverse cut gear set aka a high pinion.
The Dana/Spicer Model 44 is an automotive axle manufactured by Dana Holding Corporation and is used extensively among automobile manufacturers and in the automotive aftermarket area as well. The Dana 44 was first manufactured in the 1940s and is still being manufactured today, both front and rear axle variants. The Dana 44 has been manufactured as a beam axle and independent suspension for both front and rear axle setups. There are also different variations of the Dana 44. Over a dozen automobile manufacturers have made vehicles that have Dana 44 axles, including Jeep which currently manufactures four-wheel drive vehicles that have both front and rear Dana 44 axles.
The Dana/Spicer Model S110 is an automotive axle manufactured by the Dana Holding Corporation and the Eaton Corporation. Eaton manufactures the differential and Dana manufactures the rest of the axle. The S110 model follows a newer nomenclature for Dana axles. The "S" meaning: single rear axle. The first "1" representing gear reduction type, the second representing the head assembly series and the last "0" representing the design level.
The Dana/Spicer Model 35 is an automotive axle. It has been manufactured by Dana Holding Corporation since 1985 when American Motors (AMC) sold its axle tooling equipment to Dana. The axle was named AMC-15 when it was first made in 1962. Dana upgraded the axle, and added IFS and Twin Traction Beam front axle variations.
The Sterling 10.5 axle is an automotive axle manufactured by Ford Motor Company at the Sterling Axle Plant in Sterling Heights, MI. It was first used in model year 1985 Ford trucks. The axle was developed to replace the Dana 60 and Dana 70. The Sterling 10.5 axle is currently only made as a full floating axle.
The Ford 9-inch is an automobile axle manufactured by Ford Motor Company. It is known as one of the most popular axles in automotive history. It was introduced in 1957 model year cars and ended production in 1986, having been phased out in favor of the Ford 8.8 inch axle. However, aftermarket companies still produce the 9-inch design. It is a semi-floating drop-out axle and had a GAWR up to 3,600 lb (1,630 kg).
The Ford 8.8 is an automotive axle manufactured by Ford Motor Company at the Sterling Axle Plant in Sterling Heights, MI. It was first used in model year 1983 Ford trucks. The axle was developed to replace the Ford 9-inch axle. This axle is still in production today for a variety of Ford vehicles.
The second generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors. Marketed by both the Chevrolet and GMC divisions from the 1967 to 1972 model years, this generation was given the "Action Line" moniker by General Motors. As with its predecessor, the second generation C/K included full-size pickup trucks, chassis cab trucks, and medium-duty commercial trucks.
The fourth generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors. Marketed by the Chevrolet and GMC brands from the 1988 to the 2002 model years, this is the final generation of the C/K model line. In a branding change, GMC adopted the GMC Sierra nameplate for all its full-size pickup trucks, leaving the C/K nomenclature exclusive to Chevrolet.