Dana Inc. announced the production launch of its new SPL 350 Lite driveshaft optimized for on-highway and heavy-haul vehicles with engine downspeeding configurations. Now available at select original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), the SPL 350 Lite driveshaft is up to 35 lbs. lighter than existing products. It offers improved performance, enhanced vehicle dynamics and easier maintenance while delivering the durability and reliability required to support torque-management needs resulting from fast axle ratios that enable engine downspeeding, the company explained.

Designed with 11 fewer components, this driveshaft offers extended component life, as well as improved performance and vehicle dynamics with reduced noise, vibration, and harshness levels. It shares service components with the existing SPL 350 driveshaft, simplifying maintenance and inventory for truck owners and service facilities, Dana explained.

Dana offers the SPL 350 Lite driveshaft with a choice of service-free or standard re-lube designs to accommodate fleet preference.

Four years ago, Dana offered an integrated driveline solution for engine downspeeding when it introduced the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle and SPL Series driveshafts. The SPL 350 Lite driveshaft positions Dana for powertrains that enable engine downspeeding by supporting axle ratios lower than 2.26:1, which is the fastest ratio on the market today for 6×4 tandem axle configurations, the company reported.

Additionally, Dana also announced a new 2.47:1 axle ratio for the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle designed to support engine downspeeding for linehaul trucks. This new ratio is ideally suited for direct-drive versions of the SmartAdvantage Powertrain, a joint collaboration between Eaton and Cummins. Dana recommends the configuration for regional-haul applications that travel a composite of interstate highways, secondary roads, and urban operations.