Dorman 697-349 Differential Ring and Pinion - Front

Dorman 697-349 Front Differential Ring and Pinion

Dorman 697-349 is a standard replacement differential ring and pinion for specific Ford front axle applications. It directly replaces the original equipment gear set on Dana 50 front axles with a 4.30 ratio and reverse rotation, helping restore proper driveline gearing in Ford Excursion, F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-250, F-250 HD, and F-350 models.

Key Features

• Direct replacement differential ring and pinion for select Ford front axles
• 4.30 gear ratio for the specified applications
• Standard replacement grade for OE-style service work
• Package contents: ring gear and pinion gear
• Fits Dana 50 axle applications with reverse rotation
• Part number 697-349 for catalog and fitment lookup

Detailed Description

This Dorman differential ring and pinion is built for front axle service on Ford trucks and SUVs that use the Dana 50 axle with a 4.30 axle ratio and reverse rotation. It is a direct OE replacement for the specified vehicle years and models, making it a practical choice for restoring final drive performance after gear wear, noise, or damage. Part number 697-349 is listed for 1980-1999 Ford F-250 front applications, 1980-1986 Ford F-350 front applications, 1997 Ford F-250 HD front applications, 1999-2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty front applications, 1999-2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty front applications, and 2000-2005 Ford Excursion front applications.

This part cross-references ZG D50R-430R for the same application.

What It Helps Address

• Gear noise from worn or damaged differential gears
• Incorrect final drive ratio after axle service
• Loss of proper front axle engagement performance
• Driveline vibration related to gear wear or mismatch
• Restoration of OE-style gearing in Dana 50 front axle setups

Installation Notes and Tips

Installation requires differential setup procedures, including gear pattern verification, backlash adjustment, and bearing preload checks. This kit does not include an installation kit, so related setup components must be sourced separately if needed. Confirm Dana 50 axle configuration, 4.30 ratio, reverse rotation, and front position before installation on Ford Excursion, F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-250, F-250 HD, or F-350 applications.

Quality Assurance

Dorman lists this as a standard replacement part engineered to directly replace the original equipment on the specified vehicles. Fitment is confirmed for the listed Ford applications, including 1980-2005 model years covered by the vehicle-specific fitment data for part number 697-349.