dana 60 14b FF swap questions

[al's71gmc]

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I haven't found it. My 71 gmc 3/4t 4x4 truck has a dana 60 open rear diff. I've found a corporate posi rear end out of a 72 chevy 3/4 2wd leaf sprung truck. Can I use my same driveline or would it be different. I assume the spring perches and shock mounts would be the same, but let me know if not. Is the corp rearend the one that is so hard to find brake parts for? Any other problems or modifications I would have to make? Thanks for your help.

[4x4Poet]

If the "corporate rear end" is an Eaton, it can only be open diff or detroit locker diff. No posi.

Frankly, I'm confused. Why would you swap out a D60 for any axle? Is your D60 toast?

The D60 is of a reasonable weight, lockers and limited slips abound, and one can upgrade it to super strong, 35-spline axles as long as a matching diff is also installed. Stronger axles exist, but the cost to refurbish a D60 is cheaper than an Eaton or 14bFF. So, unless you absolutely need a stronger axle, why change? Changing just to get a locker is not a good reason, IMO, because one can throw a locker or limited slip in a D60.

[al's71gmc]

I'm probably the one that is confused. I thought the 14b ff, corporate, eaton were different names for the same axle. As for why I'm considering the swap..I want a limited slip or posi for offroading, mainly climbing. I don't know how to install them. My understanding is that you have to set the backlash, and shim them properly and not doing it right will toast them. Is that right, or are they easy to put in and set up. This axle that someone offered me says posi on the option sticker. It's an 8 lugger. I haven't seen it yet. Does "posi" mean it's a dana? I thought the dana were called "no slip". I'm just looking for an in expensive way to increase traction.

[special-K]

Corporate,Eaton,and HO52 are all one thing and are mostly what Chevy used back then.It has a perfectly round diff cover.I had no problem getting every part for the brakes including drums and all the bearings and seal from NAPA.Traction aids are what you won`t find.No aftermarket,Detroit provided lockers for the factory "posi" that was called the NoSpin.
What`s refered to as the 14-bolt came next and is still used today and you can get any traction aid made for them.
DANA60s were in most GMCs back then and my GMC`s "posi" is called a PowerLoc.
I think the VIN-spec sheet (options list) calls these posi-tractions.
You`re right,it is a work of precision setting-up a differential and swapping a rear is more doable for a guy like me or you.You need a press,also.
Not sure about the driveshaft ends or lengths between all three.

[shelby987]

if you just want a locker there are two things you can do from my understanding, you can put a locker for a 14b ff (10.5") into your eaton, but you will need to swap and cut down the axle shafts from a 14b to fit into the locker.
You can also try to do what I am doing, hunt down what is called a 3rd member that already has a locker in it(hard to find, but not impossible....and likely cheaper than detroiting the eaton, unless you scavange for parts). From my understanding, this is very simlar to a ford 9"...the locker and ring and pinion all come out as one, no shimming required.....drop the driveshaft, pull the section, bolt in new, replace driveshaft, (I am sure I am over simplifying it all).

[cdyblu]

After my daughter gernaded my dana 60 doing burnouts with my truck I replaced it with a 14 bolt. I had to relocate the spring perches and fab new shock mounts. I haven't had any problems getting any brake parts for it.

[4x4Poet]

OK. You have an 8-lug D60 FF rear axle for which the many traction aid differentials are available. "Posi" is the same thing as limited slip (LS). Most LS differentials have clutch packs under tension. The Power Lok mentioned above is a great, strong, clutch-pack limited slip diff available for your D60. AFAIK, no better D60-sized limited slip exists unless you want to go with a TruTrac which is inferior as a traction aid but smoother on snow/ice roads (not better off road).

If you want an LS (not a locker), I'd recommend adding a limited slip to your D60 instead of dealing with a another whole axle. The labor to install one should be <$200. You might spend more, but you'll retain a superior axle. Eatons don't come with limited slips; 14bFFs are heavy and ruin rear suspension handling (noticeably) and they don't accept Power Loks; while D60s have the best combination of strength, reasonable weight, and parts/traction aid availability. Many 67-72 truck owners seek original D60 axles for their advantages. An original D60 is a selling point.

Here's a Power Lok seller: http://www.precisiongear.com/powerlok.htm
'Nuther: http://www.reiderracing.com/pgpowerlok.htm
Randy's Ring & Pinion is another source as are the ubiquitous "Drivetrain" sites. To save some dough, compare a new Power Lok cost with a used Power Lok that you can rebuild or have rebuilt (just clutch pack replacement).

Just my opinions that are not meant to overide your intentions.

[extd56]

I have a Dana 60 that has a locking rear end that I am selling. Is this a Detroit locker or a gear power lock or something else? Thanks

[Rokcrln]

Well the ring gear is a "dana" and 3.73 (41tooth ring/11 tooth pinion) and the ring gear is a 1980. The locker looks to be a clutch type locker but what brand I do not know. Are their any markings on the loker when turned?

Kevin

[1969 GMC]

That is a Power-lock.

If you really want a locker, I would recommend the Eaton. Detroit Lockers for the Dana 60 are a full case replacement and will require the gears to be re-done. With the Eaton (and 14 bolt) they are lunchbox lockers, and you do not need any fancy tools besides a piece of all thread, some washers, and nuts to hold the locker halves together while you install.

[bagged92]

I have a 72 with the "no spin" axle option. I will not be able to use this since it is a floater and I am converting to half ton, so if it is worth anything to you I would probably sell it. I haven't even been under the truck yet to see exactly which one it is. I don't think I can have five lug axles made for it with c clips so I am going to sell it anyway.

[al's71gmc]

Thanks to all for the info. Just when I think I have a little knowledge, I find out I'm mistaken.
My son's 2wd has a factory posi/ls d60. When we breed it to his 1/2t 4x4 I'll take his 8 lugger if the ratio matches mine. I thought I had found an 8 lug d44 for his front, but it fell thru. So I think we'll just keep his 6 lug setup. I also found a 6lug 12bolt posi that can be had very cheap. So he might get that.

The other one I refered to may well be a d60 also. The owner doesn't seem to know, so until I can get down to see it I don't know. It's out of a 2wd chevy. Did chevy's run dana's too?
Al

[special-K]

Yes,I believe mostly,and I say "mostly",with leaf springs.That`s what my`71 CustomCamper/20 had.

[1969 GMC]

not to mention just about every BB 3/4 ton I've seen.

[al's71gmc]

It's leaf sprung according to the owner. So it might be an easy swap...