Dana 60 Questions

[CowboyProtectionUnit]

I'm of the Study that "the only stupid question is the one not asked".... That Being Said... I am a TOTAL NEWB when it comes to the restoration and mod game..... I'm Committed to my idea cause I want to know my Truck in an out regardless of the cost cause the time and efforts are worth it to me....

That all Being said..... here's the Question........ Is there ANY difference in Dana 60's between the Big Three (Dodge, Ford, Chevy) I've bought a partial Dana 60 Minus the Lockouts, steering arms, and Tie Rod.... so what if any are the differnces in the Big three in those areas, (I also have a set of WARN lockouts from a Dana 50 that I was told work...)

[obijuan]

yes theres lots of differences between the big three.

chevy vs dodge. refers to kingpin ONLY. 77-91 gm and roughly 89?-93 dodge.

dodge has a narrower spring perch measurement, 1/4 inch on each side.
different length inner axle shaft. cant remember short or long side.
both 35 spline inners 30 spline outers, same locking hubs.
same ring and pinion. 29 spline yoke.
everything from the inner C out will interchange.
4.10-4.56 carrier break
somewhere mid production they both went to non neck down inner axles.
dodge uses 1/2x20 studs, where gm used 9/16x18. 8x6.5" bolt pattern
15 inch wheels fit with lots of backspacing (2.5") or grinder treatment.


ford vs chevy.
78-79 share the same 32" spring perch measurement as gm. all other leaf sprung ford 60s dont. 36" can be found kingpin and balljoint.
35 spline inners 30 spline outers all share the same lockouts.
ford has driver drop, gm passenger drop.
with the driver drop ford, kp knuckles have the tie rod higher up.
ford is high pinion, reverse cut gears, still 29 spline pinion.
ford has no carrier break, thick cut gears can be purchased.
ford used 1/2x20 studs with an 8x6.5" bolt pattern.
ford has dual piston calipers. cant fit 15s that i know of.


what 60 do you have will direct your build. the BOM number can be found on the front side of the long axle tube.

yes your dana 50 ttb locking hubs will work.

[obijuan]

oh, dodge and chevy steering arms are similar but the ream of the drag link end has one on top and the other coming from the bottom.

i suggest getting a beefy tie rod where you can change just the end out and not have to buy the whole thing. just replace the ends if needed.


35 spline outers can be swapped right in on all three, they fit inside the spindle just fine. ford outer stub axles are like 1/2 narrower than gm and dodge.


ah! and dodge offered the dana 61 in the cummins automatic trucks. it features the same parts as a 60 but has 3.55 gears. other gears can be swapped in with a ring gear spacer, however you feel about that is up to you.

[CowboyProtectionUnit]

Thanks So Much... Is the BOM on the top of the pumpkin on the long axle tube....

[obijuan]

nope, just right in front on the ling side axle tube. like numbers stamped in with a hammer you know.

[CowboyProtectionUnit]

not see'n any numbers on the axle tube... waiting for photos to upload to facebook so I Can upload them here

[CowboyProtectionUnit]

here's what I got

[jbclassix]

Is it just me or is the steering arm on the wrong side. The brackets look like GM. Take a wire wheel to the front of the long side axle tube.

[CowboyProtectionUnit]

Thats what I was thinking..... I dunna looks like a four bolt switch though....

[mknittle]

I remember many years ago cycle world got a pic reversed,The result was the instead of OSSA the ric said ASSO

[obijuan]

Looks like an early GM 60. Its a dually too.
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[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by obijuan

oh, dodge and chevy steering arms are similar but the ream of the drag link end has one on top and the other coming from the bottom.

i suggest getting a beefy tie rod where you can change just the end out and not have to buy the whole thing. just replace the ends if needed.


35 spline outers can be swapped right in on all three, they fit inside the spindle just fine. ford outer stub axles are like 1/2 narrower than gm and dodge.


ah! and dodge offered the dana 61 in the cummins automatic trucks. it features the same parts as a 60 but has 3.55 gears. other gears can be swapped in with a ring gear spacer, however you feel about that is up to you.

Good info but for the record the dana 61 also came with 3.08's. Just trying to help in case someone finds this thread while searching for info, like I did. Also google Dana 60 Pirate4x4 for the rundown on the dana 60's and 61's

[dieseldawg142]

a good read for whatever you want to know 'bout the 60 used in the big 3
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ont/index.html

[doubleclucker]

That axle is a 77'-91' GM dually with the steering arm intalled on the wrong side.
JFYI-Ford had a Dana 60 front before there 77'-79 "snowfighter" kinpin style. In the early 70's with low pinion standard rotation gears and everthing thing from pumpkin out was from a dana 44 of the same era.

[ryanroo]

steering arm is definately on the wrong side. kind of odd. everyting else looks gm d60f to me.

ford also had an open knuckle normal low pinion dana 60 front. it was in 76 only. the ones prior to 76 had the funny business.