Compatible Front End D60 Swap

[Rat72]

I'm making some changes to my new 72 SWB K10 and looking to swap out my 8 lug Dana 44 for a Dana 60. I'd like to find a reverse rotation, kingpin equiped, passenger drop unti with the same wheel to wheel length as the current hp D44.

Also looking for a custom fit bed mat for a short bed. It seems someone should make one but all I can find is universal fit.

FYI, picture of the beast attached. I've since removed the 3" body lift with no adverse ramifications.


Thanks,
Whit

[trkklr77]

either you are wet dreaming or you have some serious cash to spend on an axle.


you will never find a reverse rotation ei high pinoin axle that is a stock passanger side drop, they flat out never made them, not dodge ford or chevy. you will have to buy some ones "custom" hack axle of a ford center on chevy tubes or fork over the green for a new one from currie, rockcrusher, or ?????? how did you wind up with a hp d44 in the first place??

also, you will not find one with the same wms as a d44, a chevy d60 is 2-3" narrower stock[69"] a dodge is 67" and ford is ???"

you do have alot of options though, just put a ford axle in and swap to a ford divoced tcase, you can swap in a late model ifs 241 tcase for the ford axle[depending on your tranny]

check out this guy though, killer prices and will ship every where, WWW.extremeaxlesales.com

[Rat72]

Yep, wet dream. I wanted to rule out the inexpensive solution before moving to reality. I'm running Rochcrushers on my Jeep and choke everytime I think of the cost.

I picked up the D44 with the vehicle. The last owner tossed in a 454, Corporate 14 and D44 front. There was a lot of hacking that I'm currently fixing but I bought the vehicle for the straight rustless body.

You did give me a thought, since I'm not sure where the D44 came from, I guess I should just measure the WMS and maybe I'll get lucky with a D60 that matches. I can live with standard rotation and welding on brackets is not an issue, particularly with leaf springs. However, I'm thinking that a 3 or 4 link front end with coil-overs would be sweet.

Thanks,
Whit

[Americanrider]

WMS is not that big of a deal, it can be fixed with a different set of wheels with the proper backspacing. The leaf spring brackets should already match. I rolled a 1985 Chevy Dually D60 under the front of my K20 67 last year when I was doing a swap just to fit check. The stock dually wheels stuck out about 2.5 inches beyond the front fenders but that was the only hang up, and that could have been fixed with fender flares.

[vtblazer]

If your still interested in the reverse rotation, the 78/79 ford D60 high pinion will bolt in but of course it's a drivers side drop.

Throw in a 203/205 and be done with it...

Nice truck, welcome to the board, enjoy the ride.

[Yukon Jack]

Just wanted to welcome you to the board - sharp looking truck!

[Rat72]

Thanks for the welcome. I considered the option of swapping to driver side drop but was a little concerned about room. The big block headers barely fit and things are pretty tight. It's probably cheaper to swap in new tubing. Then I could get the pinion angle I want too.

Whit