3.23 ratio rear axle?

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Guy's;

I was wondering if anyone out there is running a 3.23 rear axle with a flathead?

If so how is it? I have a 230 with a fluid drive 4 speed which I think will handle this rear axle ratio but it would be great to have some feedback from someone who has some actual experience with this set up.

Thanks, Jeff

[Phil Martin]

I had a 3:23 in a pickup with 218 it was fine. I have a 230 with fluid drive 4 speed I have wondered to about putting a 3:23 or something close in it. I wonder how slow it would be on takeoff.

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Phil;

That is exactly what I am wondering......I was thinking that it might make first a more regularly used gear.

Thanks, Jeff

[Jerry Roberts]

What diameter are your tires ? I run a 2.94 with 28 inch tires , it is fine . 218 engine .

[Phil Martin]

My tires are bigger than normal speedo is 4 mph slow. Still running hard at 65mph

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Jerry;

My tires are 28" as well so that is a good comparison. Did you do the swap after you had the truck a while? Is your engine in stock tune? I would like to hear some before and after details. As you may imagine I want to make as smart a decision as possible about the ratio selection.

My goal has been from the beginning to make this into a daily driver without changing too much from how it was as original. This rear axle swap and the front brakes will probably be the two most significant "modifications" I make.

Thanks for your input;

Jeff

[55 Fargo]

I do have a Mopar 8 1/4 inch 3.23 diff from an 80s Diplomat in the 1955 Fargo 1/2 ton 108 inch wheel base, and 251 with 4speed, dry clutch.

Runs and performs well, no issues in take off from 2nd gear at any time., revs are a lot lower at 55-60 mph, than any 4.11 would be.

I am currently running 27 inch tires. I live in flat country, so no big hills to deal with, performs very well with a 3.23 diff....

[Jerry Roberts]

Hi Jerry;

My tires are 28" as well so that is a good comparison. Did you do the swap after you had the truck a while? Is your engine in stock tune? I would like to hear some before and after details. As you may imagine I want to make as smart a decision as possible about the ratio selection.

My goal has been from the beginning to make this into a daily driver without changing too much from how it was as original. This rear axle swap and the front brakes will probably be the two most significant "modifications" I make.

Thanks for your input;

Jeff

Jeff , My engine is stock , rebuilt a few years ago , 218 . I have been driving it this way for several years too . OK , the before ; first gear was much too low and high wasn't high enough for the freeway . After : No problem starting off in first and great on the freeway , 70 mph all day . You live quite a distance away but if you ever get up this way we can take a ride . I had originally planed to put in a T5 transmission but that was ruled out because my emergency brake would be gone .

[Jeff Balazs]

Thanks very much for your reply. That sounds great. Can you tell me what your axle came out of ? Or if it is a Dana 35 or another model?

Jeff

[Jerry Roberts]

Thanks very much for your reply. That sounds great. Can you tell me what your axle came out of ? Or if it is a Dana 35 or another model?

Jeff

It is from a 1989 Dakota 4x4 , 9 x 2 1/2 " brake shoes , 3 " housing diameter (for shafts ) . My truck is a 1941 . I had a new drive shaft made too . Installed in 2001 .

[Jeff Balazs]

Jerry;

Thanks very much for the additional info. Hope to see your truck in person some day.

Jeff