Dana 35 Truetrac Installation

[Noslo65]

I’m going over different options for my SE Dana 35 and I’m am leaning towards the Truetrac. My question is if I need to replace the ring and pinion at the same time if I’m going to keep the factory 4.10 gearing. The Jeep has just over 70,000 miles and there are no issues with the original equipment. Is it advisable to install a Truetrac with new carrier bearings, upgraded 1541H 27 spline axles (Dutchman), and new wheel bearings while reusing the ring gear and leaving the pinion untouched? I would obviously be checking the backlash before removing and probably check the axle end play as well and making sure that the new carrier functions the same and adjust shims if necessary. Does this sound ok? Any advice?

 

[Noslo65]

Or, if I wanted to install a Super 35 kit could I approach it the same way by reusing the ring and pinion? I don’t plan on running tires over 31” and will likely stay with 30’s. Thanks.

 

[Wildman]

If you are just replacing the carrier assembly you can reuse your stock gears if that is what you want to do. You should still check the contact pattern on the gears. Same applies if you do a Super35 kit.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Or, if I wanted to install a Super 35 kit could I approach it the same way by reusing the ring and pinion? I don’t plan on running tires over 31” and will likely stay with 30’s. Thanks.

The Truetrac is not available for the 30 spline shafted Super 35 kit, and for 31" tires you don't need a Super 35 kit. That kit is only recommended once you install a locker with 33" tires or 35" tires with or without a locker. A Truetrac is not a locker and generally speaking, stock Dana 35 axles are fine with it and up to 33" tires.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The Truetrac is not available for the 30 spline shafted Super 35 kit, and for 31" tires you don't need a Super 35 kit. That kit is only recommended once you install a locker with 33" tires or 35" tires with or without a locker. A Truetrac is not a locker and generally speaking, stock Dana 35 axles are fine with it and up to 33" tires.

P.S. All you have to do is bolt the ring gear onto the Truetrac, making sure the bolts have red Loctite placed on their threads. Shim the Truetrac left or right a tad so you have the same backspacing (slop) between the ring & pinion gear and you're done, no gear setup is needed. Any 4x4 shop knows how to do that.

 

[Noslo65]

P.S. All you have to do is bolt the ring gear onto the Truetrac, making sure the bolts have red Loctite placed on their threads. Shim the Truetrac left or right a tad so you have the same backspacing (slop) between the ring & pinion gear and you're done, no gear setup is needed. Any 4x4 shop knows how to do that.

Sounds good, thank you for the response.

 

[TeeJohn]

I swapped in a new TrueTrac to a Jeep Dana 35 many years ago. The TrueTrac I received had ring gear bolt holes too small for the ring gear bolts in my Jeep. Rather than deal with a bunch of BS, I reamed the holes in the TrueTrac to match those in my old carrier.
Aside from that the install went well and I was able to reuse the original carrier bearing shims.

 

[Noslo65]

I swapped in a new TrueTrac to a Jeep Dana 35 many years ago. The TrueTrac I received had ring gear bolt holes too small for the ring gear bolts in my Jeep. Rather than deal with a bunch of BS, I reamed the holes in the TrueTrac to match those in my old carrier.
Aside from that the install went well and I was able to reuse the original carrier bearing shims.

Ok, I’ll plan on drilling them out if needed.