Dana 60 rear

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I want to put a Dana 60 in the rear of my truck to change the rear end ratio from 4.11's to 3.54, and take a bit of weight out of my rear end. At the same time I plan to add the disk brake kit so I take about 100 pounds off the back side in total.

All I do is drive around, and dirt road my C20 with AT's. I got the C20 for the brakes, and not any real toughness factor. So going down in rear axle's strength is not an issue for me.

Which truck would you get a rear Dana 60 from? I know the Ford's rear hub is bigger then GM's, but what about Dodge's Dana 60. I would like H2 rims on my C20 eventually, but cutting opening up the center hole is not much of an issue for me.

Also if I buy a lets say a Ford or Dodge Dana 60, can I convert it to Chevy status?

Before the Dana 60 hits my truck it will get the rear disk kit so any mods will be done then.

[andrewmp6]

Which rear end do you have now?If its a 12 bolt i would swap it but if its a 14 bolt id keep it over a dana 60.Could a ford and dodge dana 60 work maybe if its the right width but you'd probably have to cut off the spring perches and shot mounts and move them to work with your truck.On the axles you could have them redrilled to the chevy lug pattern but custom made axles would be stronger but cost more.

[ERASER5]

He has a C20 so HO52 I would guess. Look around a bit and you might find a D60 8 lug from a 69 to 72 burb or truck and it will mostly bolt in. You will need a different length drive shaft to. Depending on what you have and what you find, you may or may not have to change spring perches.

I found a 6 lug D60 from a '69 4X4 which just bolted in my '70 GMC. Bought a drive shaft from a C20 w/D60 and slid that in. Just rust and sweat. The 8 lug should be easier to find.

( I seem to always assume 67-72, if yours is a later model, then ignor my blather)

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Can a Ford D60 be converted? I see tons of them in the pick a part, but I don't really want to different rims front to back. I want to rotate my tires.

[andrewmp6]

It could but your looking at having custom axles made a new driveshaft plus welding spring perches and shock mounts to work with your truck.The big question is what is the width of the ford dana 60 vs the width of your rear end.

[Stocker]

Maybe I'm missing something here.... As long as it's a 1998 or older Ford, the lug bolt pattern is the same (8 x 6.5).

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Maybe I'm missing something here.... As long as it's a 1998 or older Ford, the lug bolt pattern is the same (8 x 6.5).

The center bore is different.

I found this out when I had a chance to get good Ford rims, and tires for trade.

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

The center bore is different.

I found this out when I had a chance to get good Ford rims, and tires for trade.

The center register IS different. Chevy wheels are the smallest. Any other 8x6.5" wheels, having a larger center register, should fit just fine and since they are lug-centric, will work without problem.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by Redcap

The center register IS different. Chevy wheels are the smallest. Any other 8x6.5" wheels, having a larger center register, should fit just fine and since they are lug-centric, will work without problem.

That's what I thought.... thanks for verifying.

[jbclassix]

Why not do a Semi float 14 bolt out of an 80s chevy? You may have better luck finding a 3/4 ton burb with 3.42 gears rather than a dana 60 with 3.54. You will have to be carefull with Fords. They used a Dana 61 (different from Dodge Dana 61) in vans that uses 60 ring and pinions and 61 odd-ball carriers. Do you have leaf spring rear suspension or trailing arm rear suspension? That is another thing to consider. Chevy and GMC used the Dana 60 rear for both types of suspension. I have an original leaf spring 60 in my 69. Also, keep a tape measure with you when you go to the junk yards. that has been my best friend for many years.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I just found out about the 9.5 having 8 lugs. As I always thought it was a light duty 3/4 6 lug rear.

So I will be on the look out for one now.

My C20 is a 74 so it has the leafs.