Dana 60

[HMC6083]

Hi. I have a '83 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4. It has a broken (several times) 10 bolt front. I bought a Dodge Dana 60 (front). How hard is it to put it in my GMC? I know the spring spacing is different & the shock mounting is different. What else do i need to know?

 

[RootBreaker]

that sums it up...
you just need to move the perches to bolt it in... correct the shock locations.. hookup a driveshaft and steering and go....

 

[YZEATER]

you can also get offset spring bushings to make up the 1/2" ?? difference in width. other then that and shock mounts, bolt it in.

 

[odin]

I've done it before...all ya need is a ratchet strap.
Remove the ten bolt and ratchet the leaf springs together about an inch. Then bolt in the dodge 60.

 

[RootBreaker]

I've done it before...all ya need is a ratchet strap.
Remove the ten bolt and ratchet the leaf springs together about an inch. Then bolt in the dodge 60.

that wont put oddball stress on the frame???

 

[Silver84k5]

I've done it before...all ya need is a ratchet strap.
Remove the ten bolt and ratchet the leaf springs together about an inch. Then bolt in the dodge 60.

the spring perches are wider on the dodge, why would you ratchet the springs together?

 

[Silver84k5]

that wont put oddball stress on the frame???

yes it does, I used a highlift to spread my springs, to get my dodge 60 in there. When you look at my truck from the front, it kind of looks like the frame horns are /\ slightly. Might just be my eyes playing tricks, i dunno.

It didnt seem to flex for ****, i was running 4inch springs at the time, and the front wouldnt travel much.

When i went to 52" fronts, i made some spacers, and shaved the bushings, the front, then made some shackles, and spacers for the rear, to move the springs a 1/4" out on each side.


IIRC you have to get a different steering arm... I also got a chevy d60 yoke, the dodge one i had looked funky to me. Its been about 7 years since i did it, so who knows if im right lol.

 

[Living Large]

The Dodge d60 goes in without much problems. Spread the springs, get rid of the funky dodge brake lines, fab a swaybar mount(if you want to run it)some shock mounts, and figure out the steering arm. I took the Dodge steering arm because it has a bend upward(like a raised arm), and welded the drag link arm hole closed. Then machined a reverse taper for the GM drag link end into the top of the arm. It worked great. The set up has no bump steer. I am running a 4 in TC easy ride spring with a Cummins 6bt. and it tracks better then the old stock axle.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The best/easiest way to get a Dodge 60 under the front of a Chevy is to use an offset bushing (one side of the spring bushing is wider than the other to move the spring into place). Any of the vendors on this side should be able to get them for you.

I really wouldn't just force the springs to fit. That puts lots of stress on the bushing, springs, frame, etc. even when the truck is just sitting there.

 

[Captainfab]

If I'm not mistaken, don't the Dodge D60's have a narrower track width than the GM D60's? Something like 1.5-2"