4:10 geared Dana 60 swap to 3:54 Dana 60 - panhard bar question

[55-72 GM trucks]

So we all know you can get a 3:54 geared Dana 60 from a 68-72 factory big block equipped 3/4 ton truck and swap it into a 63-66 3/4 ton as long as the spring type matches, but I need to hear from some people who have actually done this - what did you have to do to make the panhard bar mount up? I assume you have to remove the frame bracket from the 68-72 truck and use its bar but I wonder if the geometry still matches without modifying the bar?
The 66 existing bracket takes a smaller bolt through the center than a 68-72 so if you buy an new adjustable one to overcome whatever geometry you can't match with a stock bar, there's still the issue of the bolt sizes on the stock bracket not matching the other end so you would have to replace the frame mounted bracket either way.

Talk to me Goose - if you have done it and know share your wisdom please

[55-72 GM trucks]

OMG....am I the first one among you to swap to a 3:54 geared rear end?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 55-72 GM trucks

So we all know you can get a 3:54 geared Dana 60 from a 68-72 factory big block equipped 3/4 ton truck and swap it into a 63-66 3/4 ton as long as the spring type matches, but I need to hear from some people who have actually done this - what did you have to do to make the panhard bar mount up? I assume you have to remove the frame bracket from the 68-72 truck and use its bar but I wonder if the geometry still matches without modifying the bar?
The 66 existing bracket takes a smaller bolt through the center than a 68-72 so if you buy an new adjustable one to overcome whatever geometry you can't match with a stock bar, there's still the issue of the bolt sizes on the stock bracket not matching the other end so you would have to replace the frame mounted bracket either way.

Talk to me Goose - if you have done it and know share your wisdom please

Originally Posted by 55-72 GM trucks

OMG....am I the first one among you to swap to a 3:54 geared rear end?

No.
But you are probably the first to ask that question in a while.... Since the quantity of people that have done the swap is low, I'd guess it will take time to get an answer from the member that's 'been there/done that' for your specific question.

From a guy that's swapped various rear ends into different trucks (including a Dana 3.54 swap for a 12bolt truck housing) as well as swapped a later frame/rear-end under my current '64, I'd say you want the frame side mount that matches the housing to make the swap easiest.

And, the 3.54 geared Dana 60's were also available for the 1/2 ton 6-lug trucks.