Dodge D60 Swap

[scottystills]

So turns out my neighbour down the street who I hadn't known much at all builds custom trucks out of his unreal garage. He stopped by tonight while I was working on the truck asking if I needed any parts because he had a bunch around that he wanted to clear out.

As it turns out, he's got a set of mid 90s Dodge Dana 60's that'll fit my Blazer! Also it's already got 4.10's in it, which I'm currently running so that works out nicely. So, couple of questions:

1. What mods are necessary?
2. Is there anything I need to know that I obviously don't already. lol
3. What's a fair price for these things?



'88 Blazer K5
6.2L Diesel
Banks Sidewinder
4" Rough Country Lift
33x12.5x15 Dick Cepek's

 

[cybrfire]

What's the spring perch spacing? Beware the Dana 61

 

[imiceman44]

Well I will jump in first to warn you:
Every one is going to tell you, Dodge D60 is no good.
Well it's not as good as the chevy but it's way better than any D44.
As long as you don't pay too much for it.
I don't know prices up in your neck of the woods so no help there.

So turns out my neighbour down the street who I hadn't known much at all builds custom trucks out of his unreal garage. He stopped by tonight while I was working on the truck asking if I needed any parts because he had a bunch around that he wanted to clear out.

As it turns out, he's got a set of mid 90s Dodge Dana 60's that'll fit my Blazer! Also it's already got 4.10's in it, which I'm currently running so that works out nicely. So, couple of questions:

1. What mods are necessary?
2. Is there anything I need to know that I obviously don't already. lol
3. What's a fair price for these things?



'88 Blazer K5
6.2L Diesel
Banks Sidewinder
4" Rough Country Lift
33x12.5x15 Dick Cepek's

 

[scottystills]

What's the spring perch spacing? Beware the Dana 61

Not sure, haven't seen them yet, thought I'd ask for some info before I go over to check them out this week. He did say that the spring mounts are in a slightly different position than they are on the damn 10 bolts I've got right now, but nothing too major I can worry about that as it comes. The strut mounts I'd be concerned about.

 

[jaguarMKIX]

What's the spring perch spacing? Beware the Dana 61

Dodge ('94-'02) Dana 60's have coil spring perches. Also have ball joints, unit bearings, driver's side differential, 30 spline inner axles ('00-'02 have 32), 33 spline outer shafts, as well as CAD.

1993 and earlier Dodge Dana 60's have a leaf spring perch width of 32.5"

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Dodge ('94-'02) Dana 60's have coil springs perches. Also have ball joints, unit bearings, driver's side differential, 30 spline inner axles ('00-'02 have 32), 33 spline outer shafts, as well as CAD.

Basically this, they essentially have the same size shafts as the 10 bolt they would be replacing. Plus the CAD, unit bearing hub, coil mounts instead of leaf spring pads, etc. and it would be driver's side drop.

Now, if it's an early 90's kingpin D60 then it's worthwhile for sure. It would be passenger side drop and basically have the same parts as the GM D60. The spring perch is more narrow by 1" which isn't impossible to get around.

 

[scottystills]

Ok, so assuming it's an early 90s D60, an I can get for a good price, is it worth the trouble?

And again, what's a good price?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

If it's a kingpin D60 and in decent shape, could be worth $1K

 

[scottystills]

If it's a kingpin D60 and in decent shape, could be worth $1K

Ya fair enough. Both or just the one? He's got both, and I'm happy to replace these crappy 10 bolts lol

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I don't think the 90's Dodges used D60 rear ends at all but I could be wrong. Regardless, full floating D60 rear ends use the same size shafts as your 10 bolt and aren't very desirable.

$1K for the front, $100 or so for the rear.

 

[scottystills]

I don't think the 90's Dodges used D60 rear ends at all but I could be wrong. Regardless, full floating D60 rear ends use the same size shafts as your 10 bolt and aren't very desirable.

$1K for the front, $100 or so for the rear.

$100 for the rear and probably not worth the effort to swap huh? k I'll take a look and find out the year/application.

 

[imiceman44]

$100 for the rear and probably not worth the effort to swap huh? k I'll take a look and find out the year/application.

Again the same BS about the rear FFD60 it is worth the effort, it's tons stronger than the 10 bolt you have and it's worth $100-200.
Yeah it's not worth as much as a front D60 but it is a good replacement for your 10 bolt.
Now if you could find a 14bFF same ratio you are better off because they are worth the same $100-200. but stronger.
They also are bigger so a D60 gives you more clearance.
For a K5 with under 40" tires I would use a D60 rear.

 

[sixb]

Also the eaely Dodge kingpin axles are a 67.0 wms to wms which would be a good thing in my book

 

[Russell]

Definitely run a 14BFF -- Bolt in swap (other than a conversion u-joint to connect your 1/2 ton driveshaft to the 3/4 ton differential, don't go 1 ton as the spring perch spacing is different), tough as they get!

A pass side drop kingpin D60 is worth around 1200 bucks up here in Alberta, more for something with lockers or better than 4.10 gearing. Swapping it in isn't terribly hard, and is a pretty major step up from a 10 bolt. Make sure you take into account that you'll need to run 16" rims and tires unless you want to do a bunch of grinding and are able to find some 8 lug 15" wheels (rare btw!) to use your current set of tires, and that you will loose a bunch of ground clearance due to the sheer size of the center sections of the diffs.

You'll also need to install a drop pitman arm or drag link to be able to use the stock push / pull steering setup. I would not recommend using a lift block on the steering arm, I forever had problems with mine coming loose with any kind of real offroading. Your stock brake master cylinder should work with the D60, but the pedal feel won't be quite the same. The D60 calipers must have a larger displacement than 10 bolt or D44 calipers, as my pedal is much further down now than it was with the old 3/4 ton axle up front.

Your front driveshaft will be a bolt on, and also keep in mind that you need to get the spring plates with the D60, your 10 bolt stuff won't fit the new axle. This also means new u-bolts, and studs for the pass side spring plate. Your original shocks will bolt right on, btw

All that said, I had a guy offer me a proper SRW Chevy D60 not too long ago for 800 bucks. I think it had 4.56 gears, but it would be worth the extra gearing if you ever plan on going bigger. If the axle from down the road isn't something that'll work for you, and you want to do the D60 swap, I'll try and get some more information about it for you.

 

[wasted wages]

I have a early 90's Dodge D60 in my rig,,,you may have to run external lockouts,,,,Mine has external drive flanges on it ...

like this....

I ran Selctro hubs for a while when I drove on the street....they were OK....I never broke one...

I pulled this off of Pirate....


http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/60_front/


everything you wanted to know about D60's....

 

[scottystills]

Wow that is a serious amount of information; probably more than I wanted to know! I'll get through it though, thanks for the great info guys very much appreciated!