Dana 60 In 84' Blazer

[K5Pappi]

My dinky 305 blew a few weeks ago and I have a SBC 400 w/ EFI that I had built up a few months ago for just the occasion. I've been working on other projects, but now it's full K5 chassis rebuild time.

My K5

My question is, I intend on putting a 6" lift and I would like to put a Dana 60 w/ lockers on the rear and rebuild the stock 10 bolt front w/ lockers as well. The trans and gearbox have all been rebuilt recently as well. I found a doner Dana 60 out of a 70 C20. Is this a good choice for a doner or should I be looking for a specific year? I intend on the Dana 60 to do a complete teardown and rebuild.

 

[nvrenuf]

In my opinion, the D60 is not a good choice. As far as big rear axles go it has a "small" ring & pinion and typically the axle shafts are smaller in both semi and full floater models plus Dana axles can be more expensive to build. If it's mostly a street truck, the tires aren't very big and you're breaking half ton axles the D60 will do fine but if you're hard on the truck and/or have big tires then you'll probably want something bigger.

GM 14 bolt full floater axles are an extremely popular choice to use in the rear and very strong. These axles are super plentiful which makes the initial buy cheaper, they're not necessarily cheap to build but lockers can be cheaper than a Dana and gear set up is a little easier. 14 bolt FF axles are the usual rear end found in 3/4 and 1 ton GM's so they're easy to find and a 3/4 ton version is a direct bolt in for a Blazer.

D60 ring gear dia = 9.75", axle diameter= ~1.31"
14 bolt full floater ring gear dia = 10.5", axle diameter = 1.5"

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Ill add to that, late model aam 10.5 axles found in 2000 and up gm trucks use the 14 bolt center section but are factory disc brakes with hat style ebrakes and match the front axle width.
Old style 14 bolt lockers drop in.

You will have to move spring perches and shock mounts tho.

 

[sweetk30]

And early vintage 60's can be course spline axles also .

Go 14ff rear .

 

[Big10]

i went with a D70 rear and Dana 60 front, but i found a matching set. If i were building from scratch i would have chosen the 14FF

 

[Fastereddie]

I will second and third the aam 10.5 late model 14bff. Only way to go imo if your gonna swap.

 

[K85 Octane]

3/4 ton 14b will bolt up, be careful of driveshaft length. My truck came with one already but if I began building another truck (and now having welding/ fab experience) I would go with the newer axle with e-brake and discs. The only thing I could think being a “con” is it feels like the newer axle pumpkins are HUGE. Dunno, like bigger than a 14b, heavier, plow digging huge. May just be mistaken, dunno.

 

[K5Pappi]

Thank you for the input. I actually contacted the guy selling the Dana and told him I was going to go in a different direction. I did some research on a Chevy 14 bolt and I'm gonna head down that route. Any suggestions on the front axle?

 

[Desert_K5]

Thank you for the input. I actually contacted the guy selling the Dana and told him I was going to go in a different direction. I did some research on a Chevy 14 bolt and I'm gonna head down that route. Any suggestions on the front axle?

Dana 60 king pin. It's the perfect match to the 14 bolt.

 

[K5Pappi]

So I've been looking at costs and a 14FF is the way to go. I can buy a scrap squarebody K20 and pull front and rear axles and do a direct swap. Parts seem to be cheaper as well.

 

[K85 Octane]

That would be a good swap for 90% of rigs. Ain’t nothing wrong with it until you add a front locker and no throttle control or larger tires.

 

[K5Pappi]

That would be a good swap for 90% of rigs. Ain’t nothing wrong with it until you add a front locker and no throttle control or larger tires.

Why can't I add a locker to the front? And why can't I go bigger tires if I change the gears?

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

A d44 or 10 bolt, 8 lug front, will survive 37's depending on usage. I never ran a locked front but did tear up a couple front axles on 37's on oregon/washington trails. The small axle shafts will snap if you get bound up, plus ball joints and occasionally a gear set.
If you aren't running a big engine and are smart on the throttle they can survive decent.

 

[K5Pappi]

A d44 or 10 bolt, 8 lug front, will survive 37's depending on usage. I never ran a locked front but did tear up a couple front axles on 37's on oregon/washington trails. The small axle shafts will snap if you get bound up, plus ball joints and occasionally a gear set.
If you aren't running a big engine and are smart on the throttle they can survive decent.

I am in the WA area as well. No crazy trails or rock climbing for me. I'll be going up some dirt/mud/snow covered roads but nothing's insane. I'll also be hauling things like a toy hauler & camper up into the woods.

I had K5s all my adult life. I had an 82' 86' 90' & now an 84'(really regret selling that 90' ‍) there was some really heavy snow one year and my 86' got stuck in a ditch and I had to call I buddy to wench me out. I had 35 BFG A/Ts w/ the stock 10B and my buddy had a Dana 60 rear and Dana 44 front both w/ Detroit Lockers and drove down into and out of that ditch like nothing. He had the same tires as I did.