3/4 dana 60 convert for a 1/2 ton 5 lug ?

[jessemasterblaster]

3/4 dana 60 convert for a 1/2 ton 5 lug ? Has anyone done this? I have a 3/4 dana 60 with 3.54 gears I would like to use in 1/2 5 lug.

[68GMCCustom]

I've been considering doing the same thing...but finding the right Dana 60 on the other hand, lets just say none have popped up yet.

[ERASER5]

It is done all the time. You will need a longer drive shaft. If you can get the 1/2 ton drive shaft, you can just pull the 3/4 T shaft off of the slip spline and slip the 1/2 T on. Yep. It can be that simple. Check out Longhorn Man's suburban threads. He did just this, 3/4 D60 to 1/2 GM12 bolt. Unhook the brakes, unhook the shocks, unbolt the diff. Swap and re-install.

I swapped from a 12 bolt to a D60 6 lug. Just the opposite of what you are doing, swap wise.

[Jacfourteen]

The 3/4 version is a full floater with the hub protruding out from the center of the wheel. The hub is too big to fit through a 5 lug wheel. there is no way to convert to the semi floater 1/2 ton version except to swap rears. like stated above 1/2 ton D60's are hard to come by and most are 6 lug if I remember correctly. You also need to remember that there is leaf and coil configurations. Some also say that the 12 bolt rear is stronger, and it is definitely easier to find. Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.

[68GMCCustom]

specs wise the Dana 60 is stronger....and the car 12 bolt is also stronger then the truck 12 bolt. The truck 12 bolt has a smaller pinion shaft then the car 12 bolt.

[Ackattack]

Hey Jesse, I'm in poulsbo too!

I'm working on converting my 69 to 5 lug, but I got a complete 1/2ton suspension to do mine.

[Longhorn Man]

the 3/4 ton danas are strong in the diff, but have junk axle shafts that shatter. So as a whole unit, they are not strong at all.

[Jacfourteen]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the 3/4 ton danas are strong in the diff, but have junk axle shafts that shatter. So as a whole unit, they are not strong at all.

So what if you changed to aftermarket axles? Would this help the overall strength of the unit?

[68GMCCustom]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the 3/4 ton danas are strong in the diff, but have junk axle shafts that shatter. So as a whole unit, they are not strong at all.

this may be true...but considering many would replace the axles as part of the swap/upgrade (at least I would be) makes it less of an issue.

[Willys47]

My friend just cut the axle tubes from a full floater a dana 60 off welded on some new bearing retainers from moser as well as some of there 35 spline axles with 5 lug and a truetrac diff ,then installed it in his 67 camaro it is big and there will be no way that he will break it. The axles look so big that I am going to copy what he did and in stall one in my 68 half ton

[Longhorn Man]

it's the spline count that is actually the issue... 28 if memory serves. The axle is what shatters. As stated, the D60 is a stout diff, just GM picked the worst ones for the job.

[Mayo]

I thought this guy wanted to put a D60 in a 1/2 ton, not a 5 lug rear on a 3/4 ton truck.

[Sublvr72]

didn't do it on the Dana, but I swapped my Corporate 3/4 ton rear for a 1/2 ton 5 lug on my old 72 burb

[Jacfourteen]

Originally Posted by Mayo

I thought this guy wanted to put a D60 in a 1/2 ton, not a 5 lug rear on a 3/4 ton truck.

Okay, I didn't catch that. I thought he was going the other way. Yeah if he wants to do that it's not that hard. Just have to swap drivelines like stated above. Not sure why you'd want to though, I want to get rid of the D60 in mine and swap to 5 or 6 lug to get rid of the big hub sticking out.

[jessemasterblaster]

I wanted to take my dana 60 weld coil spring brackets some how get rid of the floater axles and end up with regular 5 lug set up. I was under the impression that a dana 60 was way stonger than the 12 bolt. Hey ACKATTACK let me know if you have any parts for sale or trade.

[Longhorn Man]

He wants to take an 8 lug dana60, and convert that rear axle assembly to a 5 lug rear.

[Willys47]

new axles from Moser are a fair price.Give them a call and let them know what you want to do, they would be able to help out. I would ask my friend but is in training with the reserves and I can't get a hold of him at this time to ask what type of bearing retainers he used on the axle tubes.

[ERASER5]

The hubs would have to be cut off, new flanges installed, custom axles, source a brake system, and a big steaming pile of work. If you really just want strength, get an aftermarket 9 inch. You can get it exactly like you want it.