1966 GMC K25 Disk Brakes

[1971 GMC SHORTY]

Are Dana 60 a over kill do I need To Change Leafs
Going to Run 31-33" 12.50/16.5 Tires 351E 4!Speed What Gear Ratio is Best

[jeffahart]

Your call sign threw me, 1971 shorty, but your working on a 66... Cool! Should bolt right in. What's in it now? Standard 44? I just did my 1970, which is first year open knuckle and last year drum. An Aardvark axle, I tried to sell it and ended up scraping it. Only thing I had to change on swap was: brake lines, U-bolts, Steering damper, took check valve out of front reservoir. You should be able to bolt right on to your springs. Just note your angles and check again after bolt in. Just so you can make sure pinion angle is good to go after bolt in.

Gear! With those tires and engine(can't see post now that I'm typing this and thought I saw 35,) I would stick with 4.10s

Not overkill. In fact, unless you are trying to keep the truck original go with the Dana 60. Only trouble is locating one that's not UGLY <= capital UGLY. I had trouble locating a decent axle and did not want to pay to much for overpriced junk. So I gave up the hunt and bought a CUCV take out dana60 corp14 combo from Boyce.

I'm very happy, glad I did it!

[argonaut]

Here's the thing. Most 1/2 and 3/4 ton front axles are similar. The 3/4 ton merely uses 8 lug hubs and rotors to match the upgraded rear axles for more load capacity in the rear. 1 ton front axles have bigger axle shafts and brakes mainly because of the greater towing capacity of 1 tons. Lastly, people use the 1 ton gear on 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks when they run large diameter tires because they increase torque on the drive axles and the brakes that is similar to towing heavier loads.

Therefore if your 3/4 ton is only running 32" tires and not hauling a huge trailer the truth is that Dana 60 front will be of little value other than bragging rights.

[jeffahart]

I put 1 tons in. Only place I've really spoke of it is on this site. Not sure anyone else gives a crap. I did it for me. Based on cost to obtain and refurbish a later model 44, I opted for the front 60 and the corp 14 basically came along for the ride. But now I'm happy with the decision as it's a platform I can be happy with.

I did the upgrade, and I've not bragged about it. Not sure it's something worth bragging about. Just a decision in many other that are made for various reasons. I did post what I did on this 4x4 site for purpose of interest to others.

Many things I could brag about, that's not one of em.

But that reminds me. You will also need new lug nuts.

j

[argonaut]

The bragging rights comment was meant as a joke. I would put a dana 60 in my pickup as well, if I could get one as cheap as a dana 44. But I don't really need it for my application.

[1971 GMC SHORTY]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Your call sign threw me, 1971 shorty, but your working on a 66... Cool! Should bolt right in. What's in it now? Standard 44? I just did my 1970, which is first year open knuckle and last year drum. An Aardvark axle, I tried to sell it and ended up scraping it. Only thing I had to change on swap was: brake lines, U-bolts, Steering damper, took check valve out of front reservoir. You should be able to bolt right on to your springs. Just note your angles and check again after bolt in. Just so you can make sure pinion angle is good to go after bolt in.

Gear! With those tires and engine(can't see post now that I'm typing this and thought I saw 35,) I would stick with 4.10s

Not overkill. In fact, unless you are trying to keep the truck original go with the Dana 60. Only trouble is locating one that's not UGLY <= capital UGLY. I had trouble locating a decent axle and did not want to pay to much for overpriced junk. So I gave up the hunt and bought a CUCV take out dana60 corp14 combo from Boyce.

I'm very happy, glad I did it!

I use To Have 71 GMC Short Bed
The 66 is a Utility Bed Truch So I think The weight Bight need A Dana 60