Dana 70 early vs late pinion offset question

[5akman]

I need to put together a wide DRW Dana 70 axle for my 4.88 geared work truck. I just bought an early series (early 1970's) CNC Ford Dana 70 with 4.88's for cheap. I know the early units had a .5 pinion offset and the new ones such as a 70HD have the .625 offset. Can I swap the ring/pinion from the early unit into a newer D70 axle?

 

[nvrenuf]

The pinion offset is more about the series of D70 rather than a year thing (D70HD vs D70 "B series", etc). Check out this thread in the Chevy forum on Pirate4x4, TONS of D70 info - https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/chevy/522333-dana-70-thread.html