Finally Found a 5:38 Dana 27 Gear Set

[Oldpappy]

I have been looking for a 5:38 gear set for a Dana 27 for quite some time. These are rare because by the time Kaiser started using the Dana 27 5:38 was no longer standard gearing, and only available in civilian Jeeps as an option. The last government contract for military Jeeps was the 1963 Marine contract for M38-A1 Jeeps. These had Dana 27 axles, and were often equipped with Powr-Loc limited slip. I obtained a military surplus Powr-Loc from that contract several years ago and wanted to install it in a Dana 27 axle once I found a 5:38 gear set, which has been a long search.

I contacted every military surplus dealer I could find in the US, and a couple in Canada with no success. Finally found this rare gear set listed on Herm's site. I called him a little more than a week ago to make sure he had this is stock, he answered the phone on 2nd ring and verified he had them. Filled out an order form, got the quote on the gear set and installation kit, paid him by bank wire transfer, and got the parts delivered by Fedex around lunch time today. The ring and pinion are indeed military surplus, still coated with Cosmoline, so top quality gears, and the install kit is also high quality. I have heard a lot of complaints about Herm in recent years, but I got fast friendly service, and top quality, hard to find parts, for a reasonable price. I am a satisfied customer.

The Dana 27 will be set up with the Powr-Loc and used to replace the Dana 25 with Lockrite currently under my 48 CJ2A trail Jeep. The Jeep came to me with automatic lockers front and rear, and I hated them.

I now have an OX selectable in the rear axle, and that with the Powr-Loc in front will suit me better than current setup.

I know folks either hate the Powr-Loc, or love them. I have one in the rear of my CJ5 and really like it. I have been on a lot of trails in Colorado in a Jeep with Powr-Loc differentials both ends and it performed very well for the kind of trails I go on. I don't plan on doing any hard core rock crawling.

 

[53A1]

D27 seems like a PITA. I'm glad I found a D30 to replace mine.

 

[duffer]

I probably would not have put that effort into a D27 either but congrats. I do like Powr-Locs. Ran one in the rear of my B for 4 decades, with two short hiatus' when I tried both versions of the Detroit and hated them equally.

 

[Oldpappy]

This Jeep was my first experience with automatic lockers, a Grizzly in the rear, and the Lockrite in the front, I hated the way it drove on road with the Grizzly in the rear, so switched that to a OX, and I am not in love with the Lockrite on trail, but there is not much available for a D25 or D27 other than the Powr-Loc or a Lockrite.

I agree the D30 is a much better choice, it is much stronger, and selectable lockers such as the OX are available. I have made a deal on a D30 NT, and may use that in the next build, but I have had this D27 Powr-Loc for a while and want to use it. It will be an upgrade from the D25 with Lockrite in my opinion. Like I said I don't plan on doing any hard core rock crawling, and doubt I will ever break an axle, but if I do I have plenty of spares.

I am planning to pick up the D30 on the way out there, and if the D27 / Powr-Loc doesn't suit me I'll have that option.