Ford dana 60 in a K5? (cringing thinking about it)

[snypr]

Hey guys, looking for your input. I have never done anything like this but Ive got an almost bone stock (aside of an old rc 4" lift & aftermarket cruise control setup) 76' K5. being in commifornia, there is enough smog crap on this motor to stretch to new your and back.... anywho, I have been thinking about doing a full drivetrain upgrade and my plans (which arent set in stone) are:
engine: late model LT4 with complete drivetrain (something out of an escalade). i believe this would have the tcase on the drivers side. also thinking about switching out the 8l trans for a 10L (seems the 10 series are more rebust)..my dana 44/NP205 now, is on the passengers side. Should I look for a ford (drivers drop) dana 60, or is rotating the 10l & np205 over to the pass side possible w/adapters etc? Trying to think everything through to get the best chance of success. I did search for this but did see an answer, if I missed it accept my apologies. Thank you all for your comments and input.

 

[Bent77]

There’s actually a lot of swapped K trucks out there, all the way from just a t case, to a full drivetrain from the newer gmt400 or 800s trucks

LS swap and trans with the t case would be easy, driver drop 241, or the ford t case

Watch the driveshaft to oil filter clearance in the suspension up travel

 

[snypr]

Thank you Bent...
is there no way to use my 205, I prefer gear over chain (learned that one the hardway)

 

[Bent77]

Your passenger drop? Yes, cut the axle apart and swap the long and short sides

A properly maintained 241/208 has the same power handling capability of a 205, with a much better reduction ratio

 

[jake 03]

I have nothing to offer except I wouldn't try to swap a 10L80 in place of a 8L90.
The 10L does have tighter gear spacing and is generally smoother in operation but I don't think it is actually stronger or more durable than the 8L. The 8L is excellent once you put in the blue label fluid and tune it.
Ford super duty axles would be what I would do if I was doing that swap. You could use a more modern transfer case and gain much better brakes too.

 

[muddybuddy]

There’s actually a lot of swapped K trucks out there, all the way from just a t case, to a full drivetrain from the newer gmt400 or 800s trucks

LS swap and trans with the t case would be easy, driver drop 241, or the ford t case

Watch the driveshaft to oil filter clearance in the suspension up travel

Would think an electronic ‘90/91 241 pass drop would work as well? Can that be mated to a 10L or 8L trans? Or are there physical dimension issues on pass side of trans that prevent that?

 

[Bent77]

Would think an electronic ‘90/91 241 pass drop would work as well? Can that be mated to a 10L or 8L trans? Or are there physical dimension issues on pass side of trans that prevent that?

If you use the pass drop, you don’t need the ford axle (unless you’re a cutter, like me)

241 cases with a magnum hit the shaft on the crossmember a lot it seems. If the 241 would bolt up to the 8 or 10L, I’d be really checking that before full send since that length is added like a magnum

Are the 8 and 10L all 32 spline output?

 

[Big Ray]

I believe a 79 Ford axle will bolt in
As for the rest, I have no idea. I do know there is s Ford version 205, don't know the spline count or drop side.

 

[BoondocK5]

There’s actually a lot of swapped K trucks out there, all the way from just a t case, to a full drivetrain from the newer gmt400 or 800s trucks

LS swap and trans with the t case would be easy, driver drop 241, or the ford t case

Watch the driveshaft to oil filter clearance in the suspension up travel

I think it was BB 12, I was riding with Keith Blazer in his truck.
The driveshaft clipped the oil filter, left us stranded on the trail. Made a big mess for us to cleanup.

 

[BoondocK5]

Your passenger drop? Yes, cut the axle apart and swap the long and short sides

A properly maintained 241/208 has the same power handling capability of a 205, with a much better reduction ratio

Cutting an axle apart, that sounds like a shit ton of work.

 

[Bent77]

I think it was BB 12, I was riding with Keith Blazer in his truck.
The driveshaft clipped the oil filter, left us stranded on the trail. Made a big mess for us to cleanup.

Twice if I recall

 

[Bent77]

Cutting an axle apart, that sounds like a shit ton of work.

Let’s talk about long term solution

You have a truck with a low pinion d60 and a severe driveshaft angle. For a little time and effort, you can eliminate the actual problem that causes the need for a $1200 front driveshaft and get the driveshaft above the suspension. That’s like fixing the problem instead of the symptom

10/10 would do again

 

[joshuak]

Let’s talk about long term solution

You have a truck with a low pinion d60 and a severe driveshaft angle. For a little time and effort, you can eliminate the actual problem that causes the need for a $1200 front driveshaft and get the driveshaft above the suspension. That’s like fixing the problem instead of the symptom

10/10 would do again

 

[snypr]

Thank you guys, I appreciate and value your expertise as mine is minimal at best.