I've been on the lookout for an 8 lug diff for my '66 burb for a while now and came across a Dana 60 out of a '70 Chevy van. I was looking for a 14bolt ff but this seems like it would work out good. What do you guys think? Thanks.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Dana 60 3/4 ton van
- Thread starter k14
- Start date
It will work good if your not going crazy on tire size. I can't tell you if the spring spacing would be the same so check that before you buy it.
The Van spacing is wider than your truck, can't remember exactly how much more but enough to where you can place the new perch on the right spot and not worry about the other one.
As far as strength I know they can take quite a bit, if you got the full float D60 it's pretty close in strength to a 14bff an lighter and slimmer.
I wouldn't put 44" tires on it but anything smaller would be fine.
The Dana 60 FF is actually not as strong as the 14FF but stronger than a 14SF. It has a 9.5" ring gear compared to the 10.5" on the 14FF. The 14SF is also a 9.5" ring gear but the SF axleshafts become the weaker link.
As I said pretty close, better than a 14SF not as good as a 14FF.
And a D60 ring gear is 9 3/4" not 9.5".
By the way the 14bff is stronger not only because of the bigger ring gear size but the 3 pinion bearings that eliminate deflection.
That is also why the 9" is so strong, the bearing at the end or the pinion, the 14bff also has one in between for the strongest design possible in the same size.
Thanks for the replys. I talked to a local drivetrain guy today and he said he has a few 14bolt ffers in his yard and thinks more than one should have 4.11s to match my front diff. When I asked like 6 months ago he didn't have any. He said depending on condition, it sould be $200 or less which is what the guy wanted for the 60. I'll go back after new years and get one if it measure out okay.
The 14 bolt seems kinda overkill for my application, which is why I liked the idea of the smaller 60, but everyone seems to say the the 14 bolt ff is my best choice.
The 14 bolt seems kinda overkill for my application, which is why I liked the idea of the smaller 60, but everyone seems to say the the 14 bolt ff is my best choice.
What are you running for tires? What kind of driving? The 14FF is overkill if your only running 35" or smaller tires and actually can be worse due to lost ground clearance.
I personally like the D60 rears, but I wouldn't pay more than $100 for either a D60 or 14FF. I paid $50 for the D60 out of a 3/4 ton '69 GMC pickup with 4.56 gears. The local pull-a-part sells them for $100 complete.
Another nice thing is the D60 power lock limited slip is fairly common in 1960-72 GMC 3/4 ton pick ups. 4.10 gears are common in 1960-66 GMC's as well.
I personally like the D60 rears, but I wouldn't pay more than $100 for either a D60 or 14FF. I paid $50 for the D60 out of a 3/4 ton '69 GMC pickup with 4.56 gears. The local pull-a-part sells them for $100 complete.
Another nice thing is the D60 power lock limited slip is fairly common in 1960-72 GMC 3/4 ton pick ups. 4.10 gears are common in 1960-66 GMC's as well.
$200 for a D60 rear that will need perches redone? maybe not your best choice, at that price a 14bff that is a bolt in would be better.Thanks for the replys. I talked to a local drivetrain guy today and he said he has a few 14bolt ffers in his yard and thinks more than one should have 4.11s to match my front diff. When I asked like 6 months ago he didn't have any. He said depending on condition, it sould be $200 or less which is what the guy wanted for the 60. I'll go back after new years and get one if it measure out okay.
The 14 bolt seems kinda overkill for my application, which is why I liked the idea of the smaller 60, but everyone seems to say the the 14 bolt ff is my best choice.
If the D60 was a bolt in, like from a 3/4 ton truck like the one I have, it's nice because it's slimmer and lighter, so if you don;t want overkill it's good but in your case I say the 14bff is a better choice.
The 14FF would have to be out of a 1 ton to be a bolt in, but it will still need shock tabs relocated. The only true bolt in's will be from a 1960-72 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 with a Dana 60 rear. The 4x4's have 40" spring perches (1960-66) and the 2wd's have 42.5" perches (1963-66 only). The 67-72 body style the Chevy's started offering leaf springs as an option in 2wd trucks as well as the D60.
That is the D60 that I have, it came out of a 71 2wd 3/4 ton chevy pickup.
Mine had paint pen markings saying it was out of a '68 GMC and had the correct spring spacing for my '78... only problem was I did a shackle flip and ended up cutting and rotating the perches 5 deg anyway. But I took it to a friend's shop with a plasma cutter to knock them off along with relocating the shock tabs for the newer body style. Cost me $150 in labor (~3 hours).
