Differential Setup Specifications

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Setup Specs for Popular Differentials

Recommended starting specs for pinion depth, bearing preload, backlash and torque. Use them as your baseline, then confirm every setup with a contact pattern.

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Dual Bolt Pattern Ring Gear Torque

For ring and pinions with dual ring gear bolt patterns, use the following recommended torque. Where the chart lists two values (for example, 55 or 75), torque to your bolt size.

3/8" Bolts

55 ft-lbs

7/16" Bolts

75 ft-lbs

1/2" Bolts

135 ft-lbs

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GMChryslerAMCDanaFordToyotaSuzukiNissan

On mobile, swipe the charts sideways to see every column.

Setting pinion depth: To set pinion depth, start with the same shim stack that was under the original pinion.

GM

Model Starting Pinion Depth (in) Pinion Bearing Preload (in‑lbs) Backlash 5‑Cut Backlash 2‑Cut Ring Gear Bolt (ft‑lbs) Bearing Cap (ft‑lbs)
55P/55T 0.026 14-18 .006-.010 – 55 60
7.5"-7.6" 0.035 12-15 .006-.010 – 65 60
8.2" 0.030 12-15 .006-.010 – 55 60
8.25" IFS 0.037 14-19 .006-.010 – 65 55
8.5"-8.6" 0.037 14-19 .006-.010 .004-.007 65 60
9.25" 0.032 15-22 .006-.010 – 65 55
9.5" 0.030 15-22 .006-.010 – 75 80
10.5" 0.017 20-35 .006-.010 – 120 135
11.5" 0.055 20-30 .006-.010 – 175 200
12P 0.030 14-19 .006-.010 – 55 60
M190
Colorado		 – 14-26 .006-.010 – 65 55
M220
Colorado		 – 14-26 .006-.010 – 65 55

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Chrysler

Model Starting Pinion Depth (in) Pinion Bearing Preload (in‑lbs) Backlash 5‑Cut Backlash 2‑Cut Ring Gear Bolt (ft‑lbs) Bearing Cap (ft‑lbs)
8.25" 0.030 12-15 .006-.010 – 55 60
9.25" 0.032 14-19 .006-.010 .004-.007 65 75
9.25" ZF 0.065 17-22 .006-.010 .004-.007 165 100
9.25" AAM Front 0.035 15-25 .006-.010 .004-.007 100 60
11.5" 0.055 20-30 .006-.010 – 175 200

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AMC

Model Starting Pinion Depth (in) Pinion Bearing Preload (in‑lbs) Backlash 5‑Cut Backlash 2‑Cut Ring Gear Bolt (ft‑lbs) Bearing Cap (ft‑lbs)
20 0.095 14-19 .006-.010 – 65 65

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Dana

Model Starting Pinion Depth (in) Pinion Bearing Preload (in‑lbs) Backlash 5‑Cut Backlash 2‑Cut Ring Gear Bolt (ft‑lbs) Bearing Cap (ft‑lbs)
D30 0.065 12-15 .006-.010 – 55 or 75 60
D30JK 0.065 12-15 .006-.010 – 55 or 75 60
D30JL (M186) 0.050 15-20 .006-.010 – 70 70
D35 0.045 12-15 .006-.010 – 55 55
D35JL (M200)
Dana Spicer master install kit		 0.045 12-19 .006-.010 – 135 50
D35JL (M200)
Revolution master install kit		 0.045 22-35 .006-.010 – 135 50
D44 0.042 14-19 .006-.010 – 55 or 75 60
D44HD 0.042 22-35 .006-.010 – 125 80
D44JK 0.042 22-35 .006-.010 – 75 or 135 80
D44JL (M210) 0.045 14-26 .006-.010 .004-.007 135 70
D44JL (M220)
Dana Spicer master install kit		 0.045 12-19 .006-.010 .004-.007 135 70
D44JL (M220)
Revolution master install kit		 0.045 22-35 .006-.010 .004-.007 135 70
D60 0.052 17-30 .006-.010 – 110 80
D70 0.061 22-35 .006-.010 – 110 80
D80 0.060 25-40 .004-.010 – 175 90

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Ford

Model Starting Pinion Depth (in) Pinion Bearing Preload (in‑lbs) Backlash 5‑Cut Backlash 2‑Cut Ring Gear Bolt (ft‑lbs) Bearing Cap (ft‑lbs)
8.8" 0.026 14-19 .006-.010 – 60 60
9" 0.022 13-15 .006-.010 – 60 60
9.75" 0.027 15-19 .006-.010 – 75 70
10.25" / 10.5" 0.025 20-35 .006-.010 – 95 80
M300 0.050 20-30 .006-.010 – 111 175
M315 0.050 18-38 .007-.010 – 111 175
Dana Super 60 0.050 18-38 .007-.010 – 111 175

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Toyota

Model Starting Pinion Depth (in) Pinion Bearing Preload (in‑lbs) Backlash 5‑Cut Backlash 2‑Cut Ring Gear Bolt (ft‑lbs) Bearing Cap (ft‑lbs)
7.5" F/R 0.095 12-15 .006-.010 – 70 70
8" F/R 0.074 12-15 .006-.010 – 70 70
8" IFS 0.070 9-14 .006-.010 – 70 70
8.2" 0.068 14-17 .006-.010 – 65 70
8.4" 0.085 14-17 .006-.010 – 70 70
8.75" 0.076 15-20 .006-.010 – 70 70
9" Reverse 0.080 20-30 .006-.010 – 100 N/A
9.5" TLC 0.020 8-11 .006-.010 – 100 75
9.5" 0.048 9-15 .006-.010 – 100 75
10.5" 0.048 16-28 .006-.010 – 145 150

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Suzuki

Model Starting Pinion Depth (in) Pinion Bearing Preload (in‑lbs) Backlash 5‑Cut Backlash 2‑Cut Ring Gear Bolt (ft‑lbs) Bearing Cap (ft‑lbs)
Samurai 0.055 12-15 .006-.010 – 70 70

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Nissan

Model Starting Pinion Depth (in) Pinion Bearing Preload (in‑lbs) Backlash 5‑Cut Backlash 2‑Cut Ring Gear Bolt (ft‑lbs) Bearing Cap (ft‑lbs)
H233B 0.098 15-23 .006-.010 – 100 70
M205 0.060 15-20 .006-.010 – 100 40
M226 0.042 15-25 .006-.010 – 100 70

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Setup matters. These are recommended starting points. Correct setup and contact pattern are crucial to long-lasting ring and pinion performance.

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