Dana60/ 14 bolt swap help
 

I've got a '68 GMC 3/4 ton. It'g got a Dana60 w/ 4:56 gears. Need a different gear ratio & it (to me) sounds easier to just swap out rear ends rather than re-gear the Dana. Since it's a leafspring truck it should be fairly easy to find a 14 bolt rear. What are my options for a direct/semi-direct swap?

Re: Dana60/ 14 bolt swap help
 

I did the same thing. I took a 14 bolt from an 87 suburban with a 3.42 gear. Ensure you get the ubolts and perches as they are different from the dana 60. It bolted right up onto the leaf springs. The spring perches will need to be rolated. I ground the originals off and reloacted them. I am yet to hook up the emergency brake...

Re: Dana60/ 14 bolt swap help
 

Good to know. Thanks sapper4. The one i may buy is out of an '87 3/4 ton truck. 3:73 gears.

Re: Dana60/ 14 bolt swap help
 

you'll need to redo the shock mounts too. I used after market ones from Mountain Off Road

Re: Dana60/ 14 bolt swap help
 

I just picked up a used gear set of ebay cheap and swapped it out in a couple hours.put in new seals while I was at it.Not hard at all.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/dana-60-354-...b6c1d2&vxp=mtr

Re: Dana60/ 14 bolt swap help
 

Hmm, swap gears, or swap the entire rear axle assy? Swap gears to a 3.54 which includes gears, installation kit and a different carrier, put in a posi? maybe. Swap an entire axle assy, 14 bolt good diff, almost bullet proof strong. Lets see, pull old one out, pull driveshaft out, (gonna be a different length), New u-bolts along with the lower plate that fits the 14 bolt tube diameter, more often than not cut off the spring pads and shock mounts for relocation, cut the shock mounts off of the d60 for reuse. Mount the axle in, center it up drop it on the ground, set the pinion angle weld it up and finish bolting it up. Weld the shock mounts to match the original. Measure the driveshaft, going to need a longer one. Parking brake cables..........cut the rivets off the original frame bracket, move closer to the diff because the 14 bolt cables are shorter than the d60. Weld, fabricate something so they fit and will droop correctly when you lift the truck, measure for a new .....longer intermediate cable and order. Hit the auto parts store and find the correct hydraulic hose for the brakes because the 14 bolt uses 3/16 hard line instead of 1/4''......... bleed brakes.

Re: Dana60/ 14 bolt swap help
 

Do you guys know if a '91 3/4 ton rear would work as well?

Re: Dana60/ 14 bolt swap help
 

Yes,and all the same work as using a 73-87

Re: Dana60/ 14 bolt swap help
 

Thanks special-K.