Dana 60 and 14 FF Gear swap

[lowrollin70gmc]

Here's the deal gents:

Current axles: D44F closed knuck drums limited slip, D60R drums limited slip.

I am looking at a M1008 K30 pickup and thinking it would be a great candidate to take axles from and put under my 68 K20 Suburban. Anyways, I would probably snag the Dana 60 front and 14 bolt FF for the rear, and the NP 208 to replace my divorced spicer 23 t case (i've heard you can divorce a 208)

Stock M1008 has 4.56s with Detroit locker rear, open front.
My understanding is that for both the D60 and 14 I would need a new carrier to switch to 3.73s (4.56/4.10 split), which is what I currently have and want to keep, due to it being a diesel and watching highway rpm (want to be able to do 70mph at 2000).

Here's my question:

In order to switch the gears, could I get new lockers/limited slips for the axles instead of new carriers, or is that a separate piece from the carrier? If so, my plan is to sell the 4.56s and DL and put some kind of locker front and rear with 3.73s.

Second question:

I'm guessing the answer here, but I would not be able to take the 3.73 out of my current rear dana 60 and put in a dana 60 front, correct? I'm guessing the gear patterns are different.

Thanks for the help, I've never had to swap carriers with a gear change before.

[b454rat]

Yes you need to change both carriers going to that gear. The 14 bolt is easy to get, just find a 4.10-down carrier.

The front 60 is the same as rear 60s, so yes you can take the rear 3.73s and put them up front. BUT you will have to change the side gears. Rears use 30 spline and fronts use 35.

[LONGHAIR]

Unless you are talking about a "high pinion" Dana 60 housing, the gears will indeed swap from on the the other, carrier too. You might have trouble finding someone to do the switch for you though. Used gears are far more temperamental to install. You really should take both axles, with the gears still installed, to a professional. Many pros will not even do it, but maybe because it's a front, they might?

I am not a big fan of any kind of locker in the front in any but the most extreme off-road truck. They are "difficult" to deal with. You can get by with a clutch-type posi unit, they are far more forgiving in the front. They steer much better and still provide great traction in the front.

[shortbed70]

Just get bigger tires! 38.5 would be good.

[Tiger Hays]

Its a shame to take those apart! I am sure if you post locally that you would trade for a higher gear 60 and 14 someone would in a heart beat! But here is a different ? If you have a 44 already and your not going up on tire size why are you wanting the much stronger 60?

[lowrollin70gmc]

If I went for it, I would swap everything myself, as I need to learn some time, might as well be now.

I have a 1200 lb motor and tranny hanging over my front axle and this will be a winter daily driver when I'm out of the corps, so I would like some strength up front. No matter what I'm pulling the closed knuckle drum brake 44 for at least a disc open knuckle 44, and I like 35s for the fact that I don't want to over work my brakes with a larger tire.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by lowrollin70gmc

If I went for it, I would swap everything myself, as I need to learn some time, might as well be now.

It is not a simple un-bolt/re-bolt thing. There is a lot more to it than that....

[lowrollin70gmc]

I know it would take a little bit to set up the pinion preload, wear pattern, and everything. I figure get the proper measuring instruments (dial indicator and stand, torque wrench, and micrometer to start with) and take my time I could get it done. If a professional can do it, there's no reason I can't by reading a service manual and not rushing. For what i would pay someone else, I could buy a set of quality tools and quality parts to do the job.

And if my Chevelle doesn't sell soon, I'll have to pass on the M1008 anyways. It's just much easier to find the axles under a truck than pay the same price for axles unattached. If I could find a D60/3.73 for the front I'm all over it.

Oh, and thanks for the help and information, it's the reason this board is so useful. Everyone here is willing to shoot straight and make sure I know what I'm getting into, which has saved my butt in the past.

[Tiger Hays]

Chevelle for sale??? shoot pics and info rndjessup@aol.com

[lowrollin70gmc]

PM sent

[Tiger Hays]

Nice car,but looking for 2 door

[LONGHAIR]

Dana 60s take more effort than the average rear end. A case spreader is required to get the proper bearing preload, so that's another tool you have to acquire, along with the press, etc.
Although I am not saying that it can't be done, most guys will give up and settle for "close enough"....and it is not. The biggest concern is that this is not the rear end to "learn" on...and attempting to do it with used gears is even worse.

[Tiger Hays]

I also meant to add,I would stick with a 60 rear also,I like it because it has more clearance and rear disc brakes are easy to put on it.