Dana 60 axle build

[DesertFox00]

Okay so I have a 1987 K5 that I'm working on, I want to do a 1 ton axle swap to handle big tires and torque. I found a Dana 60 housing for about $350 I wanna put all new Yukon shafts, Reid knuckles, yoke, rack pinion, arb air locker, and everything. Would I be better served buying the housing and starting from scratch or a used axle with everything and replacing it all? Around here used D60 are going for about $1000-1600.

The rear axle will be a 10.5" 14bff, 12 valve Cummins, NV4500, and NP205.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Depends on what you need in the end. If you're going all out and going to replace everything anyway (i.e. aftermarket shafts, knuckles, etc.) then starting with a bare housing makes sense.

If you're looking to get into a Dana 60 without spending a bunch of $$, it definitely makes more sense to buy a complete axle.

Also keep in mind that there are some parts (like calipers brackets) that you can't buy new.

 

[nvrenuf]

I think your answer really depends on the total budget.

 

[DesertFox00]

Thanks for the input 1977k5. I found some brackets, thanks for the heads up I didn't know that.

It would probably make sense to buy the housing and go from there. I'm going with Yukon Chromoly inner and outer shafts 35 spline, so I'd be replacing parts anyway.

There's a lot of work to do to get her on the road so I don't need the axles immediately working. I've gotta do a complete rewire, do some sheet metal work on the floor pan and box the frame to support the Cummins.

As for budget, I don't really have a set one, I'm just gonna buy what I need as I go. The biggest single cost is going to be the Air Locker setup.