spring purchase conversion for 2wd to 4x4

[Rod]

Was wondering what others have done for converting a 2wd into a 4wd. I'm think about a dually front end on a 1 ton dually.

My question is would a dana 60 front axle be better off using the springs and frame purchases off an original 80's dana 60 front?

Or should one use spring purchases and springs from a 69-72 4x4 on the same dana 60 front 4x4 axle.

Basically should I grab the springs and all from a dana 60 front and mount it to a 72 or should a grab just the axle and use frame purchases and springs from a earlier 69- 72 era to mount a dana 60.

[JIMs70GMC]

Rod, I thought about this and in comparision it looks like taking the front mounts from a 69-72 would be easy and keeps the rad core support mount as part of the front spring mount. at the rear of the front springs getting the bracket from the same donor would make sense. The frames at the core support(3/4 ton 4wd - 1 ton 2wd) don't appear to be any taller.

[Rod]

I wonder if you could use the front spring frame mounts from the 72 era with the rear mounts from the 80's era.

I haven't pulled a 60 yet so its kinda new thinking for me.

I figure the 60 springs are longer...but haven't even looked that up yet...probably wider too.

Anyone else play with this scenario yet.

Looks like Yukon's truck bud stuck with a 69 GMC 3/4 ton front axle and springs with a spacer for the bud wheels.

But if you could find a 60 why not... eh.

Could a 60 set of springs fit in the 72 frame .... would lenght be a problem or place to mount the spring purchases be a problem?

Are the mounts on the axle itselfs wider than the dana 44 mounts?

Gotta surf for answers too I guess
hmmm
Still thinking.

[kwmech]

It is easier to use the springs from the 67-72 along with the front hangars. The rear of the spring where the shackle is you can use the later frame parts. The only real issue is the rear of the frame where there is a dimple for the parking brake. I have heated that part of the frame with a rose bud and flattened it out. Then drilled a hole for the shackle

[JIMs70GMC]

the springs from a 73 and up truck are 3" longer than a 69-72 so the front mount would have to go forward 1.5" to center the axle in the wheelwell. You would need to use 69-72 front springs just get the 3 leaf variety, both my 3/4 tons had the RPO for HD front springs. You can mount the 60 to pre 73 springs, just make sure you get the plates.
Forgot about the ebrake cable/frame junction, it is in the way. Also for the rear, the front hanger for the rear springs has the end of the spring along the side of the frame, on the 4wds the end of the spring is about 3" below the frame. i think the rear as is would sit real low compared to the front.

[Rod]

Good tips. Thanks. Will take all I can, before I go searching.
The search should be intersewting once I dig out from all the snow around here..stuck here for a few days it looks like...were snowed in for New Years Eve for sure.