narrowing a dana 60

[spacedebris]

Ok, this is more of an hypothetical question.

I had a Dana 60 under my 60 Panel right now. It came out of a 95 dodge. I dont have any measurements handy but with it under the truck the wheels rub the fender. Just enough to leave scuffs on the tires. Now normally I would simply get wheels that have more (or is it less?) backspace to move them in a little. However these wheels are already as backspaced as they can get. Any more and the wheel will stick out past the tire

Also the wheels that I want to use, wont even mount on the Dana 60 while under the truck due to the fenders. I would need to narrow the Dana 60 about 3 to 4 inches would be my guess. 1 to 2 inches on each side

My question is, Would this be feasible? I know that a rear end can be narrowed. Done all the time. But I've never done one. Is it a lot of work that I would be better off going out and trying to find one already done? Or is this something that is relatively easy? What about cost wise. Would I be better off saving my money for something else or is this a cost effective option? Thanks in advance.

[Captainfab]

I assume this is a full floating 8 lug Dana 60? If so, the full floaters can be narrowed, but they are a little more difficult than the semi-floaters. Ittakes some good fabrication experience, and the proper jigs and alignment tools to narrow a differential housing. There's more to it than just cutting and welding. For what the expense will be in narrowing the housing, plus buying new axles, I would recommend finding a narrower differential. The differentials in the late 80's and up trucks are too wide to be used in the early trucks.

[BigDan3131]

I was watching some show a while back and they took the 8 lug full floater and changed it to the normal semi floater style. You have to look at the cost of narrowing yours, buying an all new bolt in rearend or switching to a truck 12 bolt and putting new internals in it.

[spacedebris]

thanks, thats the info I was looking for. I was under the impression that it was simply cut and weld. I guess, when ready I'll just measure for the width that I'll need and see if I can find one that is the proper width to begin with.

[66Submarine]

I guess it's a 3/4-1 ton? I think cab and chassis dually rear ends are about the right width, might look at those. A C&C 14 bolt is 63.5" WMS-WMS, I think the factory Eaton SRW is 65". SRW 14 bolt is 67.5", if that works. (My stepside isn't wide enough, but a fleetside should be.)

[66Submarine]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/

Here's some 14 bolt info

[chopped65]

I have a Dana 60 that I narrowed to fit 18.5" MT. I narrowed around 9" total, don't remember exactly how much. A shop in Las Vegas did the work and did a great job. New axles from Moser are just under $400 plus the labor to have the axle narrowed.

[spacedebris]

Originally Posted by 66Submarine

I guess it's a 3/4-1 ton? I think cab and chassis dually rear ends are about the right width, might look at those. A C&C 14 bolt is 63.5" WMS-WMS, I think the factory Eaton SRW is 65". SRW 14 bolt is 67.5", if that works. (My stepside isn't wide enough, but a fleetside should be.)

Yeah, it's a 1 ton 60 Panel. I'm gonna have to do some measuring. I cant work on it now so I'm making my list of things that need doing and trying to budget it all out. The rear that was under my panel was bent and cut. Looked like someone took the jaws of life to it. My mechanic said it was beyond trying to repair so he suggested just using the D60 out of the Dodge 2500 we were taking the cummins out of. I dont know much about rear ends but I thought if it was good enough for a more modern HD truck like the 2500 it should work fine with my Panel. We put it under the panel and it fit but the tires just rub the lip of the fender using the wheels off the dodge. And they have the lugs all the way out at the front of the wheel. The wheels that I want to use would stick out about 1.5-2 inches so I would either have to find another set of wheels or get a narrower rear. The 14 sounds like it is likely a good option. Thanks.

Originally Posted by 66Submarine

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/

Here's some 14 bolt info

Excellent info, thanks. I learned a lot reading that.

Originally Posted by chopped65

I have a Dana 60 that I narrowed to fit 18.5" MT. I narrowed around 9" total, don't remember exactly how much. A shop in Las Vegas did the work and did a great job. New axles from Moser are just under $400 plus the labor to have the axle narrowed.

Do you mind my asking what the shop charged you for narrowing the D60?