Dana 60 Front axle in 67-72 trucks
 

Has anyone taken a 4x4 Dana 60 front axle out of a newer (73-87) 1 ton and put it in our trucks? I want to do this but I need to know if there are any differences with spring width, mounting pads on the axle housing, and issues with steering arms and such. How about, what do I need to know?

Duffy

It's a bolt in. Need to replace brake hoses. Front dana 60 first available in 1977 I believe.

Cool, thanks for the input.

Duffy

They fit really well. Here is a picture of my Dana 60 on a 72 frame.

http://www.bramwell.info/RollingChassis/RF8.JPG

That's a sight to behold!

Besides being a bolt in you will gain an inch more height from swapping in a 60, if you have at least a 4" lift try and find a Dodge steering arm and retaper it from the opposite end for the big chevy draglink ends, works alot better than using a steering arm block. For the brake lines I used the line brackets from a mid 80s truck,blazer, these conect the brake lines about 2" away from the frame, even though this does not drop the line any just bringing the line out closer to the caliper gives you more slack.

Duffy, One other thing to consider is that the factory 1-ton trucks came with hydro-boost brake systems instead of vacuum boost units. I found out why when I put my Dana 60 in my truck...the brakes SUCKED BAD!!! After swapping to the hydro-boost unit the brakes are better than ever. I purchased a junkyard unit for a core and put in rebuilt everything but could have just used a new MC and would have been OK. BTW, purchase '79 or older parts if you go the rebuilt route or else you'll have to swap your steering gearbox and PS pump to the O-ring type ports. (I learned that one the hard way). And there is a difference in the 3/4-ton and 1-ton hydro boost units so beware. Some of the guys I wheel with still have the old vacuum systems but their trucks are scary to stop! Just thought I'd let you know my experience with this conversion. Good Luck!

Thanks for the info Trukman. Someone tell me more about hydroboost braking systems. Also, how much work is it to go from a dually style front axle to single wheel?

Duffy

I just got a Dana 60 for my blazer. it is on the list to put in soon.

One thing I'm going to do is change the steering geometry to cross over type to eliminate the factory steering arm and draglink. This offers better steering control offroad. I will probably raise my tie rod to go over the leaf springs at the same time.

Re: Dana 60 Front axle in 67-72 trucks
 

I am also going to tackle this project whenever the 4'' lift gets here. Glad I read the post to learn about the hydraboost tip. Guess ill have to rip that off the donor truck too. Any issues hooking up the emergency brake cables when swapping in the 14 bolt in the rear?

Re: Dana 60 Front axle in 67-72 trucks
 

Instead of going hydro, I had the parts store order a booster from a 3/4 ton '72. It's a little different shape but bolts in the same and provides way better boost than the 1/2 ton one. That and going to rear disc on my blazer made the brakes feel like a sportscar. They work almost TOO well.

Re: Dana 60 Front axle in 67-72 trucks
 

Bram, wheres the picture of your truck with a d 60 in it.I cant see it theres a red "x" there.

Re: Dana 60 Front axle in 67-72 trucks
 

I have nothing,not even a red x. Where did it go? I don't see an edit message either.

Re: Dana 60 Front axle in 67-72 trucks
 

I can see the red X --mark the spot

Re: Dana 60 Front axle in 67-72 trucks
 

diddo:waah:

Re: Dana 60 Front axle in 67-72 trucks
 

Like the previous posters said, the Dana 60F is a direct bolt in.

I took a Dana 60 from a 1984 1 ton and put it in my 72. As far as the brakes go, I did have to get new brake lines. That's the only change I did to the brakes and they work great.

I also installed crossover steering on the Dana 60. It was easy to install as well; however, you have to change the steering sector to a two-wheel drive so the pitman arm can turn side to side, instead of front to back.

Chevy front axles are basically interchangeable up to 1987 (1991 on K30s). Rear axles are different though.