Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**LockDoc** · 05-15-2021, 01:48 PM

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Well, I finally finished up the Eaton HO52 / Dana 60 rear end swap. The Dana was a coil spring rear end so that made the swap pretty easy. I had a few delays but it worked out good. I didn't have to cut my drive shaft. There are two different length rear shaft sections. The Eaton was 35 inches long and I had 4 or 5 different shafts I had saved and one of them had a rear section that was 33 inches long, it fit perfect. The front section of the original shaft used the small "U" joint at the carrier bearing and the front of the 33 inch rear shaft used the large "U" joint. All I had to do was purchase a Precision Brand #348 Combination "U" joint, and everything fit right together. It made a world of difference in the driveability of the truck. Now I can hear the radio over the engine.....

Part number list is in post below

All of the pictures are of the Eaton rear end as I was taking it out.

LockDoc

factorystock · 05-15-2021, 02:06 PM

Thanks for the post! We need to see more of these simple swaps that involve little or very little modifying. Or we could wait and wait and wait till the aftermarket decides to manufacture a HO 52 3.54 ring and pinion set for '48 thur '72 Chevy C 20's. Those 16.5's with correct era caps look great!

**too much stuff** · 05-15-2021, 03:11 PM

That should be a great upgrade for drivability.

**LockDoc** · 05-15-2021, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factorystock

Thanks for the post! We need to see more of these simple swaps that involve little or very little modifying. Or we could wait and wait and wait till the aftermarket decides to manufacture a HO 52 3.54 ring and pinion set for '48 thur '72 Chevy C 20's. Those 16.5's with correct era caps look great!

Thanks. I don't look for anyone to make a gear set for the Eaton any time soon. Someone would have to make brake drums also....

I need to get some stock type lug nuts before I can put the rear caps on. The ones I have on there are too long.

Quote:

Originally Posted by too much stuff

That should be a great upgrade for drivability.

Thanks Eric. I drove it to town and back this morning and it ran really good.

LockDoc

**67 twins** · 05-19-2021, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Thanks. I don't look for anyone to make a gear set for the Eaton any time soon. Someone would have to make brake drums also..

LockDoc

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Centric 123.66024 is the correct drum for the Eaton HO52. Multiple vendors list them as in stock.

**LockDoc** · 05-19-2021, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67 twins

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Centric 123.66024 is the correct drum for the Eaton HO52. Multiple vendors list them as in stock.

I honestly can't tell you. It has been posted on here that some people had trouble finding them. That's what I was going by.

LockDoc

**chevmn** · 05-19-2021, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67 twins

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Centric 123.66024 is the correct drum for the Eaton HO52. Multiple vendors list them as in stock.

If we assume that only the Eaton HO52, and Dana 60 was on those trucks (C20), that is likely true. Centric and Rock auto list two drums 123.68001 appears to be for the Dana 60 (12 inch dia), and 123.66024 shows 11.2 diameter. If in doubt check diameter of your drums. I made the mistake of ordering a set of shoes from Rock Auto for "coil spring" rear axle, and appears I have a set of Delco shoes for the H052, and cannot use them. Probably also why the brake hose going to the rear axle also would not fit, but I "engineered" an adaptor fitting and am using it anyhow. Hope this helps, but I would go by drum diameter and cross reference the part as necessary. It would seem just going by coil or leaf springs is not a good indicator as they apparently built coil and leaf spring axles in both Eaton H052 and Dana 60, and they are significantly different. I am learning as I go but it is expensive. Need a set of AC Delco shoes for the H052??

**special-K** · 05-16-2021, 08:21 AM

You're a half a turn ahead now. Let it roll!

I wish someone would make ring and gear sets for HO52s while there are still so many out there. It's such a great rear. Brakes are no problem as long as there are 14-bolts all over the place. A simple swap. Someone (Patrick's) made gear sets for the HO32/33s way back in the '80s to help the '50s 1/2 tons run hiway speeds. As it is our choice is rear end swapping. That's why I keep a collection of rears.

**Dave** · 05-16-2021, 08:19 PM

Great job Leon! Was the HO52 a 4.57 open rear

**LockDoc** · 05-16-2021, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

You're a half a turn ahead now. Let it roll!

I wish someone would make ring and gear sets for HO52s while there are still so many out there. It's such a great rear. Brakes are no problem as long as there are 14-bolts all over the place. A simple swap. Someone (Patrick's) made gear sets for the HO32/33s way back in the '80s to help the '50s 1/2 tons run hiway speeds. As it is our choice is rear end swapping. That's why I keep a collection of rears.

Believe me Tim, It's rollin'. I've been lookin' forward to driving it for quite a while...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Great job Leon! Was the HO52 a 4.57 open rear

Not sure at this time Dave. I couldn't find any numbers on it and I haven't removed the cover yet.

LockDoc

**LockDoc** · 05-17-2021, 04:57 PM

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Here are the different part numbers for the Dana 60 coil spring rear end.

Brake Shoes = Bosch BS419R

Hardware Kit = Raybestos H7128

Wheel Cylinders =
CENTRIC 13462015
Rear Right; Rear Leaf springs

CENTRIC 13462016
Rear Left; Rear Leaf springs

Yes, I know they say for Leaf Springs but they fit the coil rear end and were exactly the same as the ones I took off....

-------------------------------------
I ordered these wheel cylinders on the first try and they were the wrong ones.

CENTRIC 13466009
CENTRIC 13466010

LockDoc

**KevinK7** · 05-18-2021, 07:45 AM

...Thanks again for including the part numbers here.
('interesting' that the wheel cylinders that didn't fit, are listed for coil spring)

Did you by any chance replace the wheel seals? (I ordered Timken 455860 from RockAuto, hoping they are the right ones.)

Thanks again,

Kevin

**Dieselwrencher** · 05-18-2021, 09:40 AM

Nice swap. The D60 coil rear ends are probably a little more rare aren't they? Most were in leaf spring trucks from what I've seen because they were camper special big block trucks. I've seen pics of coil spring 6 lug D60s in these but never found one in the wild yet.

**KevinK7** · 05-18-2021, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice swap. The D60 coil rear ends are probably a little more rare aren't they? Most were in leaf spring trucks from what I've seen because they were camper special big block trucks. I've seen pics of coil spring 6 lug D60s in these but never found one in the wild yet.

I'm relatively new on these trucks and learning as I go along, and it seems odd, the Dana60 rear doesn't show on the SPID?
My truck came from the factory as Cab & Chassis, with Utility body installed (most likely from day one) with it's original 396, NP435 4-speed and a Dana60 Coil spring rear. Along with Special paint, I guess I was lucky to find it : )
https://imageevent.com/hvclassics/au...=1&n=1&l=0&z=9

**chevmn** · 05-18-2021, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinK7

I'm relatively new on these trucks and learning as I go along, and it seems odd, the Dana60 rear doesn't show on the SPID?
My truck came from the factory as Cab & Chassis, with Utility body installed (most likely from day one) with it's original 396, NP435 4-speed and a Dana60 Coil spring rear. Along with Special paint, I guess I was lucky to find it : )
https://imageevent.com/hvclassics/au...=1&n=1&l=0&z=9

The Dana 60 was not necessarily an optional rear axle. On my truck it did have a powerloc (G87 option code) so that option shows on the spid, but otherwise the Dana 60 was a standard axle for the truck in my case ('72 C20 402/400), thus standard axle was Dana 60 with coils. If it would have been a GMC I believe same would apply, but standard would have been leaf spring rear with the Dana. Someone else might be able to comment on the small block trucks, but this was research I did with regard to my truck, and aside from the G87 option, Dana 60 was standard for it, thus does not appear on the spid.

**KevinK7** · 05-19-2021, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevmn

The Dana 60 was not necessarily an optional rear axle. On my truck it did have a powerloc (G87 option code) so that option shows on the spid, but otherwise the Dana 60 was a standard axle for the truck in my case ('72 C20 402/400), thus standard axle was Dana 60 with coils. If it would have been a GMC I believe same would apply, but standard would have been leaf spring rear with the Dana. Someone else might be able to comment on the small block trucks, but this was research I did with regard to my truck, and aside from the G87 option, Dana 60 was standard for it, thus does not appear on the spid.

Good info, ...my truck (68 C20) is an original BB (396) so Dana60 rear, and that matches what you note. Thanks

**Dieselwrencher** · 05-18-2021, 12:17 PM

From the research I did a while ago, big block trucks got the D60. I'm guessing that was because the Eaton's did not have a 3.54 gear ratio available.

**LockDoc** · 05-18-2021, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinK7

...Thanks again for including the part numbers here.
('interesting' that the wheel cylinders that didn't fit, are listed for coil spring)

Did you by any chance replace the wheel seals? (I ordered Timken 455860 from RockAuto, hoping they are the right ones.)

Thanks again,

Kevin

No, I didn't replace the seals. There was no sign of leakage so I just left well enough alone. I got all of the parts from Rock Auto.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice swap. The D60 coil rear ends are probably a little more rare aren't they? Most were in leaf spring trucks from what I've seen because they were camper special big block trucks. I've seen pics of coil spring 6 lug D60s in these but never found one in the wild yet.

Yes, the Dana 60 coil spring rears are hard to find.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

From the research I did a while ago, big block trucks got the D60. I'm guessing that was because the Eaton's did not have a 3.54 gear ratio available.

I'm not sure what the reasoning was but I'm glad I found one....

LockDoc

**jocko** · 05-22-2021, 07:35 PM

short shoe forward

**chevmn** · 05-22-2021, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

short shoe forward

agree, but what in my case where both are same length?

**LockDoc** · 05-22-2021, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevmn

agree, but what in my case where both are same length?

It looks like one shoe has the lining closer to the top and one shoe has the lining closer to the bottom on each side.....

LockDoc

**chevmn** · 05-22-2021, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

It looks like one shoe has the lining closer to the top and one shoe has the lining closer to the bottom on each side.....

LockDoc

That is correct. Any idea which I should place to rear? As I said, this is my first experience seeing both same length.

**LockDoc** · 05-22-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevmn

That is correct. Any idea which I should place to rear? As I said, this is my first experience seeing both same length.

The shoe with the lining farthest from the top would go on the front.

LockDoc

**DA71Grande** · 05-23-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevmn

That is correct. Any idea which I should place to rear? As I said, this is my first experience seeing both same length.

This may help…

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=Brake+shoe

RichardJ · 05-23-2021, 04:56 AM

I bought the same NAPA shoes a couple of years ago and found the same problem. At the time, i checked the other retail part stores and found the same shoes. They all had part numbers that were a variation of Napa's 419 part number.

This thread from last year talks about the same shoes.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ighlight=shoes

The shoes seem to work OK when driving. Having disc brakes on the front may be a factor on that.
I did find that when parked, nose up on a hill the e-brake had to be applied extra hard to keep it from rolling back. You don't always have curb to turn the wheel against.
I think it sucks that they can't give you the correct lining length for the rear shoe.

05-15-2021, 01:48 PM	#1
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,799	Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 - Well, I finally finished up the Eaton HO52 / Dana 60 rear end swap. The Dana was a coil spring rear end so that made the swap pretty easy. I had a few delays but it worked out good. I didn't have to cut my drive shaft. There are two different length rear shaft sections. The Eaton was 35 inches long and I had 4 or 5 different shafts I had saved and one of them had a rear section that was 33 inches long, it fit perfect. The front section of the original shaft used the small "U" joint at the carrier bearing and the front of the 33 inch rear shaft used the large "U" joint. All I had to do was purchase a Precision Brand #348 Combination "U" joint, and everything fit right together. It made a world of difference in the driveability of the truck. Now I can hear the radio over the engine..... Part number list is in post below All of the pictures are of the Eaton rear end as I was taking it out. LockDoc Attached Images __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - Last edited by LockDoc; 05-17-2021 at 05:09 PM.

05-15-2021, 02:06 PM	#2
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,396	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 Thanks for the post! We need to see more of these simple swaps that involve little or very little modifying. Or we could wait and wait and wait till the aftermarket decides to manufacture a HO 52 3.54 ring and pinion set for '48 thur '72 Chevy C 20's. Those 16.5's with correct era caps look great!

05-16-2021, 08:21 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 You're a half a turn ahead now. Let it roll! I wish someone would make ring and gear sets for HO52s while there are still so many out there. It's such a great rear. Brakes are no problem as long as there are 14-bolts all over the place. A simple swap. Someone (Patrick's) made gear sets for the HO32/33s way back in the '80s to help the '50s 1/2 tons run hiway speeds. As it is our choice is rear end swapping. That's why I keep a collection of rears. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-16-2021, 08:19 PM	#9
Dave DND Trucks Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 2,397	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 Great job Leon! Was the HO52 a 4.57 open rear

05-17-2021, 04:57 PM	#11
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,799	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 - Here are the different part numbers for the Dana 60 coil spring rear end. Brake Shoes = Bosch BS419R Hardware Kit = Raybestos H7128 Wheel Cylinders = CENTRIC 13462015 Rear Right; Rear Leaf springs CENTRIC 13462016 Rear Left; Rear Leaf springs Yes, I know they say for Leaf Springs but they fit the coil rear end and were exactly the same as the ones I took off.... ------------------------------------- I ordered these wheel cylinders on the first try and they were the wrong ones. CENTRIC 13466009 CENTRIC 13466010 LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

05-15-2021, 03:11 PM	#3
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,790	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 That should be a great upgrade for drivability. __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

05-18-2021, 07:45 AM	#12
KevinK7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Hudson Valley, New York Posts: 650	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 ...Thanks again for including the part numbers here. ('interesting' that the wheel cylinders that didn't fit, are listed for coil spring) Did you by any chance replace the wheel seals? (I ordered Timken 455860 from RockAuto, hoping they are the right ones.) Thanks again, Kevin __________________ '68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th

05-18-2021, 09:40 AM	#13
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 Nice swap. The D60 coil rear ends are probably a little more rare aren't they? Most were in leaf spring trucks from what I've seen because they were camper special big block trucks. I've seen pics of coil spring 6 lug D60s in these but never found one in the wild yet. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

05-18-2021, 12:17 PM	#17
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 From the research I did a while ago, big block trucks got the D60. I'm guessing that was because the Eaton's did not have a 3.54 gear ratio available. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

05-22-2021, 07:35 PM	#19
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 short shoe forward

05-23-2021, 04:56 AM	#25
RichardJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,468	Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20 I bought the same NAPA shoes a couple of years ago and found the same problem. At the time, i checked the other retail part stores and found the same shoes. They all had part numbers that were a variation of Napa's 419 part number. This thread from last year talks about the same shoes. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ighlight=shoes The shoes seem to work OK when driving. Having disc brakes on the front may be a factor on that. I did find that when parked, nose up on a hill the e-brake had to be applied extra hard to keep it from rolling back. You don't always have curb to turn the wheel against. I think it sucks that they can't give you the correct lining length for the rear shoe. __________________ '67 GMC 2500, 292, 4spd, AC



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