Which Ring & Pinion?

[BigPapa]

Well, the time has come to replace the R&P in my '98.5 RWD LSD 3.54. I'm @ 350HP, don't tow heavy(much...), no racing or pulling.

There are several options available from several manufacturers and I thought I'd ask the opinion of the CompD knowledge base. As usual, the truck budget is slim, so I don't won't to spend more than necessary.

Here are my options:

• Yukon - $380 (Optional Life Time Warranty for $45)
• OE Dana - $425
• Dana Spicer - $230
• Dana SVL - $150

The fellow at Randy's said the difference between them is basically the finish, which will relate to gear noise and durability, but that they're all the same "strength". I'm really not concerned with gear noise.

 

[bracker8040]

It’s hard to beat OE.

 

[BluegrassDiesel]

Dana Spicer gets my vote

 

[mhuggler]

I've been sticking to OE for years now. They always seem to shim up easier.

 

[Commonrailracer]

Well, the time has come to replace the R&P in my '98.5 RWD LSD 3.54. I'm @ 350HP, don't tow heavy(much...), no racing or pulling.

There are several options available from several manufacturers and I thought I'd ask the opinion of the CompD knowledge base. As usual, the truck budget is slim, so I don't won't to spend more than necessary.

Here are my options:

• Yukon - $380 (Optional Life Time Warranty for $45)
• OE Dana - $425
• Dana Spicer - $230
• Dana SVL - $150

I always use Dana or gears. They have the best hardening and will be the strongest... last the longest. But Yukon’s will do the same job.

The fellow at Randy's said the difference between them is basically the finish, which will relate to gear noise and durability, but that they're all the same "strength". I'm really not concerned with gear noise.

I always use Dana or gears. They have the best hardening and will be the strongest... last the longest. But Yukon’s will do the same job.

 

[Commonrailracer]

Properly installed neither one is going to make noise.

 

[BigPapa]

Well, I went with the Spicer SVL gears, Dana clutches for the Power Lock, and Timpken bearings. Setup went well and patterns look great. The inner pinion bearing was severely pitted and the fiber plates were shot. The rest of the bearings showed wear but weren’t pitted like that pinion bearing.

 

[Red Sleeper]

What is your choice of gear oil?

 

[BigPapa]

I was running Schaefer Supreme 75W90.

This time I went with AMALIE Elixir Full Synthetic 75W90 and two bottles of Motorcraft XL-3.

I would have stayed with the Schaefer but I can't get it quickly locally.

 

[CorneliusRox]

X2 on paying for noise quality. They're likely all the same profile, same material, same heat treatment.
Usually OEM's will pay for a post heat treat grind where they reference off of the teeth instead of post grind referencing off of the bore, or not doing a post grind at all.