I am going to install a Dana 60 front and a GM 14 bolt rear in my 87 K-5. It will have an 8" suspension lift and I will be running 37"s or larger. I am looking at many different axles on craigslist and varies sites. I want to know what is the best route when buying thee axles. Should I buy a cheap one and build it myself or is it cheaper in the long run to purchase one already built with lockers and all. To give you an example I can buy both the axles for $500 used stock or $3000 built
CK5
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Dana 60 &14bff build or buy?
- Thread starter rjkharry
- Start date
If you can get a set of 1 ton axles for $500 then you'd be crazy to pass them up...
With that said, I'll be honest with you and say that it's doubtful that the front is a kingpin Dana 60, but heck I know that in the Charlotte area there seems to be more military surplus (4.56 axles with a detroit in the rear - and potentially a limited slip in the front depending on what vehicle it came out of)
With that said, I'll be honest with you and say that it's doubtful that the front is a kingpin Dana 60, but heck I know that in the Charlotte area there seems to be more military surplus (4.56 axles with a detroit in the rear - and potentially a limited slip in the front depending on what vehicle it came out of)
I think it really depends on your want list, and your ability to do the work.
A 60 can be a money pit. I got my $500 D60 deal, and now have 2600 in it, because of a bad kingpin stud threads which required machine and custom work, but also the addition of SRW hub assemblies, a locker, new seals, bearings, and ujoints, front 3/8plate cover, crossover steering etc.
A 60 can be a money pit. I got my $500 D60 deal, and now have 2600 in it, because of a bad kingpin stud threads which required machine and custom work, but also the addition of SRW hub assemblies, a locker, new seals, bearings, and ujoints, front 3/8plate cover, crossover steering etc.
stumpbuster
1/2 ton status
to the op,^^ thats jus a chitty situation tho, i got my 60 stock with 4.56 for $400, didnt touch the damn thing and been wheel it.
so who knows what you will find.
if you runnin 37's, you gunna want 4,56
saw a set of tons out of a k30 over in jersey on craigerz a few days ago, hit it up.
there are many over here.. for $1100 with 4.56's and xover and detroit.. saw one...
1-tonmudder
1/2 ton status
You better check cause Im willin to bet the 60 will turn out to a HD44 w drive flanges.Lots of folks think they are a 60.
There are a lot of variables of what constitutes a "built" D60.
It's easy to figure out the cost of building them yourself. $500 for the axles then add the parts. If you are doing it yourself than no labor cost and just your time (how important is your time?).
For the built axles, I would want some sort of confirmation what was built about them.
It's easy to figure out the cost of building them yourself. $500 for the axles then add the parts. If you are doing it yourself than no labor cost and just your time (how important is your time?).
For the built axles, I would want some sort of confirmation what was built about them.
k5 + 37" tires + beginner offroad rig = stock 1tons and get them from a m-series truck for the detroit locker in the rear for the win. bolt the front in and swap the spring perches and shock mounts in the rear and bolt in .
then go have fun.
then go have fun.
It was a "chitty" situation for sure. I thought I had a good one. 4.56's under a Wrecker...swap the hubs for SRW and replace the kingpins, and go with it, but Nooooo.
I had to get the one that not only a bad kingpin, but the hole it bolts into was messed up bad enough the kingpin fell out. So while it was stripped to the point of making that repair, I felt a rebuild was in order now rather than later. Hence the 2600$ (including outside labor)
k5 + 37" tires + beginner offroad rig = stock 1tons and get them from a m-series truck for the detroit locker in the rear for the win. bolt the front in and swap the spring perches and shock mounts in the rear and bolt in .
then go have fun.
x 2....
more info for ya to think about.
my friend had shortbed 4" lift kit 3" body lift. he ran 38x12.50x15 swamper tsl. had stock 350tbi with swaped in th350 and 10 bolts front/rear with 3.08 gears and gov-loc ( gov-boom ) in the rear.
he used up 5-6 motors in 1 years time and for the years he had that truck and beat the hell out of it. he never broke a rear and or axle. even the front held up just fine.
that thing was a tank. but the frame rusted out real bad and 1 day in the yard the frame droped in the middle. had to scrap it and she died then.
so your idea of 1 tons is good now. gives you lots of security and safty but 37" tires dont even bother buildin them yet. most i would do is new axle / wheel joints in the front spicers non greasable. then service the wheel bearings clean/grease/new seal. then toss in 2 new bushings/springs for the king pins and bolt on a simple cros over steering kit and go.
my friend had shortbed 4" lift kit 3" body lift. he ran 38x12.50x15 swamper tsl. had stock 350tbi with swaped in th350 and 10 bolts front/rear with 3.08 gears and gov-loc ( gov-boom ) in the rear.
he used up 5-6 motors in 1 years time and for the years he had that truck and beat the hell out of it. he never broke a rear and or axle. even the front held up just fine.
that thing was a tank. but the frame rusted out real bad and 1 day in the yard the frame droped in the middle. had to scrap it and she died then.
so your idea of 1 tons is good now. gives you lots of security and safty but 37" tires dont even bother buildin them yet. most i would do is new axle / wheel joints in the front spicers non greasable. then service the wheel bearings clean/grease/new seal. then toss in 2 new bushings/springs for the king pins and bolt on a simple cros over steering kit and go.
COCHEV
1/2 ton status
I'd really like to know where all these $400-500 dana 60s are. 
Up here they are still $900-1200 on CL.
Up here they are still $900-1200 on CL.
gotblazers
1/2 ton status
i opted for a non built clean stock set of one tons so i could learn how everything works. The reason this was so important to me is because with this understanding i will be able to diagnose what broke with ease on the trails and taking things apart and doing trail repairs will just be a matter of getting it done instead of trying to figure out how this gotdangpieceof****motherfockinhellmongrolsteeldevil comes apart and what i need to fix it 
swedester
1/2 ton status
I'd really like to know where all these $400-500 dana 60s are.
Up here they are still $900-1200 on CL.
I think they are in sweden
got my set of tons for 650$ 4.10s gov-lock rear,srw.
