teamsmith Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 The factory specs I found say that the standard SWB has 1400 payload capacity and the MT package gives it 2200 pound capacity. I'm planning to put MT springs from GS on my truck but will still have the D35. anyone have thoughts on how much the D35 can handle? I'm not planning to build a house on the back, just trying to understand how much dirt I can haul. The SWB will hold a cubic yard of top soil which weighs 1700-2000 pounds, depending on dampness. I'll probably do it anyway but was curious how much I had to worry about stress to the D35. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I'll probably do it anyway but was curious how much I had to worry about stress to the D35. You need to worry a lot. There's a reason why the factory put a Dana 44 under the metric ton models. Don't exceed the 1400 pounds established by the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 The factory specs I found say that the standard SWB has 1400 payload capacity and the MT package gives it 2200 pound capacity. I'm planning to put MT springs from GS on my truck but will still have the D35. anyone have thoughts on how much the D35 can handle? I'm not planning to build a house on the back, just trying to understand how much dirt I can haul. The SWB will hold a cubic yard of top soil which weighs 1700-2000 pounds, depending on dampness. I'll probably do it anyway but was curious how much I had to worry about stress to the D35. About half of that 1,400 #'s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamsmith Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 After further reading, I see that the GAWR of the Dana 35 is 2,770 lbs and D44 is 3,500 lbs. The difference being 730, or about the difference between 2200 and 1400. That is disappointing; I had hoped that at least some of the difference was in the springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine1Texas Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I have the metric ton package on my truck with the bigger Dana 44. I am sure it will handle the weight of 1 ton on a 35 however you have to think about barring's and stuff inside it. I have put 6400 lbs in my 1966 International Harvester all the time however about every 2 years I have to rebuild the rear end because the friction smash's up the balls in the barring's. If this is not going to be a every day thing maybe rent a trailer. Would hate for you to mess up the rear end . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 It's because the D35 has really small tubes. They will bend with too much weight on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 The factory specs I found say that the standard SWB has 1400 payload capacity and the MT package gives it 2200 pound capacity. I'm planning to put MT springs from GS on my truck but will still have the D35. anyone have thoughts on how much the D35 can handle? I'm not planning to build a house on the back, just trying to understand how much dirt I can haul. The SWB will hold a cubic yard of top soil which weighs 1700-2000 pounds, depending on dampness. I'll probably do it anyway but was curious how much I had to worry about stress to the D35. You wrote it correctly when you said "MT package". It is a whole package, not just a set of springs and a Dana 44. It is a long wheelbase only package that requires a number of factory HD components/coolers. Not to mention the bigger brakes of the Dana 44 and the automatic transmission. IF you had a factory trailer hitch on the back, the suggestion of a trailer to haul dirt is an excellent one. Given what you have, why not just make two trips instead of one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamsmith Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 Thank you for all the helpful comments. After reading the GAWR of the axle, I knew that the payload rating of the truck was the max the axle could handle. I should have googled before posting up. I had thought that perhaps part of what gave it the payload rating was the heavier springs to keep the load from bottoming out but, again, I understand now that the axle can't handle any more than the 1400 pounds factory rating. I needed motivation to hunt after an 8.8 swap. Interestingly, the 8.8 has a higher load rating than the D44 (3800 vs. 3500) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula69 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Not trying to hijack, but the question begs: What about MT springs (the Hells Creek 1700 LB ones) and the Cryco 8.25? Threads have pointed out the 8.25 is a beefier housing and the tubes are stronger...but stronger then the D44? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamsmith Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 The only reference I can find is within the specs of a newer Dodge Ram which lists the GAWR of the 8.25 at 3600 pounds, 100 more than the stated rating of the D44. However, a newer Ram 8.25 may not be the same as a late 90's 8.25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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