dana 60 REAR axle

[chris989]

Hello all,

Can anyone confirm what year GM stopped using the dana 60 and switched to the semi float? Was it only in 3500 or did 2500s have the 60 also?


I am hunting for a Chevy dana 60 for the rear of my suburban. I am not interested in the 14 FF. (to big)

Thanks in advance.

[jjmorrse]

Probably not very helpful, but it is all I have. Once had a 84 van with the 9.5 sf axle in rear. My dually 86, is Dana 70 out back. Military trucks sometimes had unusual running gear, but I don't know much about what came when.

[chris989]

Originally Posted by jjmorrse

Probably not very helpful, but it is all I have. Once had a 84 van with the 9.5 sf axle in rear. My dually 86, is Dana 70 out back. Military trucks sometimes had unusual running gear, but I don't know much about what came when.

I think i need to go back to early 70s??? I have a ford dana 60 but the drums and studs are different. I might use it if I can't find a chevy.

My driveline shop recommends keeping and rebuilding the Semifloat. It will only be for mild wheeling and towing. Any feedback on just keeping the OEM?

[bmchevy1979]

I've seen them in 73-75 k20 suburbans but that Iis the only ones I've seen yet to see one in a truck and what's wrong with your current semi floater if you were able to brake it bad enough you need to replace it the full floater wouldn't be a bad idea lots of aftermarket support and easier to find. But that just my opinion. I plan on a shaved 14bolt ff in my k5 even though I'm only going to run 35s I am going to be putting down some good torque with my new motor and I have a heavy foot

[andrewmp6]

Yeah last gm rear dana 60 i seen was in the early 70s,What size tires you want to run or have now?

[Chevy_mud_truck]

I don't think that I have ever seen one with a dana 60

[chris989]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Yeah last gm rear dana 60 i seen was in the early 70s,What size tires you want to run or have now?

i will run 35-36 tires, no larger because i want decent towing manners. i was only going ff because i carry 925# in tongue weight and had the ford 60 laying around.

my shop says the sf is more than adequate, i just hate pumping $ into the sf axle. more mental on my part.

[andrewmp6]

I would sell the ford 60 and use the money to fix the axle you have now or go full float 14 bolt.

[Chevy_mud_truck]

If you want to stick with dana you might be easier to find a dana 70

[mrolds88]

I know GM used the 60's to 72. Can't verify any further. 73 they started with the 14 bolts. I prefer the FF rears as the axle bearings ride on the housing not the axle.

[KrazyRay]

72 was the last year of the dana 60 in Chevy trucks as they went to the 14 bolt. I would go with a ff if you are towing or hauling.

[chris989]

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

72 was the last year of the dana 60 in Chevy trucks as they went to the 14 bolt. I would go with a ff if you are towing or hauling.

Wow, i thought it was later that 72 but that explains why there are none around. If i could find a newer disk brake 14ff i would go there but for now i have the 60 with 411s already.

I am going to mock it up over the next week,,
So my list is this, add to it if you have input;

the easy;;
cut and weld perches.
cut and weld shock mount.

the unknown
drill the drums for the larger wheel stud (ford=1/2 chevy =9/16). or use ford lug nuts for a while..

E brake cable mod???