GM Dana 60-2? Is that even a thing?

[yossarian19]

An older gent locally sold me a Dana 60-2, representing it as from an early 60's GM product. It's six lug, semi float, ~61" wide across the drums, 12" dia. drums, and has a Dana power-lok in it. 3.54 gear ratio. Set up for leaves ~42" center to center. Has a "US PA 1968" stamp on the pumpkin but can't find a BOM tag on it.
For all the world, I can not come up with a likely vehicle this came out of. Parts catalogs don't list a 60-2 for any GM product, ever. The full size Jeeps went six lug in 1974. Ford was all 5x5.5" as far as I know. Mopar would be a maybe but again, six lug. So this leaves GM trucks with leaf springs, sounds like 1968... But the 60-2 cast into the pumpkin seemingly contradicts that.

Anyone able to shed some light on this for me?

[special-K]

Yep, straight out of a GMC 1500. I've wanted one frever. Never heard them referred to as Dana 60-2

[Mike C]

I'd love to have that for my big block short step. Like Tim says, they were in 68 big block 1/2 ton GMC trucks. Maybe Chevrolets as well when equipped with the 4 speed. I have heard them referred to as a 60-2 is how they were referred to. I don't have a FF 60 at the house right now but think that was unique to the semi-floater housing.

[geezer#99]

My old 67 gmc with the mighty 250 six banger had one. 3.54 geared too!
No indication it had been swapped in. Appeared original.
Maybe it's a 'canuck' thing.

[kwmech]

Early chevy/gmc rear axle semi float. I've seen quite a few around. I saw that on craigslist a few weeks back. thought about picking it up, but he wanted too much for it at the time. Just another D60 to me

[special-K]

Somebody sounds jaded. Just another Dana60? Not hardly in 1/2t semi-float form. These don't show up all that often and they are way more rear for a 1/2t than a 12-bolt. The 3.54s they came with are an ideal ratio for power and hiway speed for today. A ratio never offered in corporate rears of the time. That ratio cruises well w/o O/D yet has plenty of pull with it. I built a pro-street '70 Stepside and had Mark Williams build a Dana60 for it. Talk about not cheap.

[kwmech]

Jaded? No, if I want a semi float dana 60 I'll just build one. I've been building axles for over 30 years. Finding an axle that is just about 50 years old that needs a complete go through and possible straightening, its... meh. AND if I remember correctly, in the craigslist ad he wanted 600.00.

[special-K]

Well yeah, that guy bumped his head. Now I realize you were talking about "that" axle, so I retract my jaded comment. I'd be excited to find a coil version for what a used axle is worth. The one I had built was narrowed, 4-link, 5-lug, disc brake everything no bang bang dragstrip duty. Those coil Dana60-2s are a rare find for sure and what I'd like to have to compliment the M22 in the middle. This one won't be pro-street, more like true performance of the era.

[yossarian19]

I gave the guy $400 for it. I figure, even if I need to fix / replace a few things, I've got a Dana 60 with a power lok that will bolt in, for $400. The '44 I was going to build was going to take a lot more money / work.

[special-K]

Yeah, people sell commonly found posi rears for $300 all day long. I'd pay what you did for a real McCoy GM factory badass rear...for a 1/2t

[65GMChevy]

Anyone with the Dana 60 marked 60-2 tried to swap out the brakes? I am missing missing brake parts and was thinking about going with disc but really have no clue what axles are on mine. The attachment bolt pattern on the axles look like a big ford but with a 6 lug. I purchased the dana from a 69 GMC 3/4 leaf spring truck. Any ideas would be really appreciated!

Thanks

John

[68bowtie]

If it’s for a factory trailing arm setup pm me.