Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**special-K** · 10-24-2009, 08:56 AM

i came across an older Dodge truck with the Dana60.I don`t know exactly when Dodge went to open knuckle,this was a 71-73 I`m thinking.My question is...does anyone know if there`s a feasible way to swap the ends and come up with a disc brake axle?At first,I had the thought to just get Dedenbear cs and go from there out.But,by the time I got knuckles and I imagine axles shafts I guess I`d have an expensive axle.Does anyone think it`s still work yanking?or parts?It could always be run as is with drums on a trail rig.I`d guess the Dodge brake parts could be tough to find.I know pre-71 4wd parts were hard go bet in the later`70s.

I just can`t imagine this isn`t work messing with.there was also an`87-ish W250 with a dana60 at this junkyard.i want to get prices before pulling,but I`m thinking to grab these.What was the trick to make these work on GMs?

ghettoluxury · 10-24-2009, 03:34 PM

Dodge spring pads are 1/2 inch wider than chevy, you have to jack the springs out but everything works. They are also narrower than a Chevy by 1 inch due to the fact that they use a Ford short shaft and a Chevy long shaft. On the disc brake axles the knuckles, spindles, and outer shafts are the same as Chevy. The hubs are different Dodge uses External Lockouts where as Chevy uses Internal Lockouts. Brakes from both are the same but when you go to replace them Chevy parts are cheaper.

As for changing over a drum 60 I have never done it and would not attempt it unless the axle only cost me about $100. Due to the fact that Dana 60 parts are Expensive and complete disc axles can still be had for $400-$800.

**special-K** · 10-24-2009, 08:35 PM

Good info,thanks.I think I can get that drum axle cheap.But,it`s not worth the trouble.At least,wouldn`t save any money.I just think it`ll be passed over and end up crushed.I`d rather run it under a trail rig.Drum brakes aren`t exactly awful.

pulltilbroke · 10-25-2009, 03:14 AM

Is the W250 a Cummins truck

Dodge liked to use the 61f for higher ratios also

ghettoluxury · 10-25-2009, 06:03 AM

A W250 could have a Cummins in it.

pulltilbroke · 10-25-2009, 04:34 PM

Yep from 89-93

I got a 90 W250 CTD

1969 GMC · 10-25-2009, 11:42 PM

Tim, as far as I know there isn't a disc brake swap kit for the Dodge closed knuckle D60. Even if there is...it's throwing bad money after good. Id just keep your eyes open for an open knuckle D60.

*2tons of fun* · 10-26-2009, 12:51 AM

DO NOT WASTE YOU TIME WITH THAT AXLE!!!!

hit up doug, he is not far from you, best prices, and will ship anything.

www.extremeaxlesales.com

**special-K** · 10-26-2009, 08:04 AM

No Cummins in the`87.Dodges trucks became Cummins trucks in`89.
I figured it wouldn`t make economic sense to adapt to discs,unless for some strange reason only the "C"s out needed replaced.I mean,guys take disc brake axles and end up replacing most that stuff.
I don`t know why I`d want to run from this old axle.I see it as a cheap Dana60 for a trail rig that can do about anything a $2,500 axle does.Beats a Dana44,right?I`ve done most of my hard wheelin`in trucks with drum brakes.Used to be all there was.I have some 1t GM axles stashed and know where I can get a couple CUCV front ends or $400-500@.I just think this axle should be saved.There`s always the early Dodge Truck restoration crowd needing rare front end parts.I can picture this front end in a made-up pre-71 K/30 for that matter.It would appear more original and be like running a vintage power plant in a nostalgic hot rod (in my mind).

10-24-2009, 08:56 AM	#1
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? i came across an older Dodge truck with the Dana60.I don`t know exactly when Dodge went to open knuckle,this was a 71-73 I`m thinking.My question is...does anyone know if there`s a feasible way to swap the ends and come up with a disc brake axle?At first,I had the thought to just get Dedenbear cs and go from there out.But,by the time I got knuckles and I imagine axles shafts I guess I`d have an expensive axle.Does anyone think it`s still work yanking?or parts?It could always be run as is with drums on a trail rig.I`d guess the Dodge brake parts could be tough to find.I know pre-71 4wd parts were hard go bet in the later`70s. I just can`t imagine this isn`t work messing with.there was also an`87-ish W250 with a dana60 at this junkyard.i want to get prices before pulling,but I`m thinking to grab these.What was the trick to make these work on GMs? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-24-2009, 03:34 PM	#2
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? Dodge spring pads are 1/2 inch wider than chevy, you have to jack the springs out but everything works. They are also narrower than a Chevy by 1 inch due to the fact that they use a Ford short shaft and a Chevy long shaft. On the disc brake axles the knuckles, spindles, and outer shafts are the same as Chevy. The hubs are different Dodge uses External Lockouts where as Chevy uses Internal Lockouts. Brakes from both are the same but when you go to replace them Chevy parts are cheaper. As for changing over a drum 60 I have never done it and would not attempt it unless the axle only cost me about $100. Due to the fact that Dana 60 parts are Expensive and complete disc axles can still be had for $400-$800. __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71

10-24-2009, 08:35 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Re: Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? Good info,thanks.I think I can get that drum axle cheap.But,it`s not worth the trouble.At least,wouldn`t save any money.I just think it`ll be passed over and end up crushed.I`d rather run it under a trail rig.Drum brakes aren`t exactly awful. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-25-2009, 03:14 AM	#4
pulltilbroke Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eagle Ne Posts: 356	Re: Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? Is the W250 a Cummins truck Dodge liked to use the 61f for higher ratios also __________________ 60 4x4,235,SM420,Rockwell T221,D44/HO33 sold 4/12 67 C-20,292,SM420,HO72 90 Dodge W250 Cummins,NV4500HD,205,D60/D80 93 Dodge W350 Dually Cummins, Getrag, 205,D60/D70

10-25-2009, 06:03 AM	#5
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? A W250 could have a Cummins in it. __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71

10-25-2009, 04:34 PM	#6
pulltilbroke Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eagle Ne Posts: 356	Re: Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? Yep from 89-93 I got a 90 W250 CTD __________________ 60 4x4,235,SM420,Rockwell T221,D44/HO33 sold 4/12 67 C-20,292,SM420,HO72 90 Dodge W250 Cummins,NV4500HD,205,D60/D80 93 Dodge W350 Dually Cummins, Getrag, 205,D60/D70

10-25-2009, 11:42 PM	#7
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	Re: Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? Tim, as far as I know there isn't a disc brake swap kit for the Dodge closed knuckle D60. Even if there is...it's throwing bad money after good. Id just keep your eyes open for an open knuckle D60. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

10-26-2009, 12:51 AM	#8
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? DO NOT WASTE YOU TIME WITH THAT AXLE!!!! hit up doug, he is not far from you, best prices, and will ship anything. www.extremeaxlesales.com

10-26-2009, 08:04 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Re: Dodge Closed Knuckle Dana60 Qs? No Cummins in the`87.Dodges trucks became Cummins trucks in`89. I figured it wouldn`t make economic sense to adapt to discs,unless for some strange reason only the "C"s out needed replaced.I mean,guys take disc brake axles and end up replacing most that stuff. I don`t know why I`d want to run from this old axle.I see it as a cheap Dana60 for a trail rig that can do about anything a $2,500 axle does.Beats a Dana44,right?I`ve done most of my hard wheelin`in trucks with drum brakes.Used to be all there was.I have some 1t GM axles stashed and know where I can get a couple CUCV front ends or $400-500@.I just think this axle should be saved.There`s always the early Dodge Truck restoration crowd needing rare front end parts.I can picture this front end in a made-up pre-71 K/30 for that matter.It would appear more original and be like running a vintage power plant in a nostalgic hot rod (in my mind). __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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