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FOUND!!!! THE $100 DANA 60

Why such hostility----i was only saying that there are people that have 60's and don't know what they are worth----i didn't mean for anyone to get their panties all up in a bunch.

on the dana 60 side---i have spent a little over $2k in my 60 including a $1k purchase price-----w/ 42's i am pretty sure i wont break the 60 i didn't break the 1/2 ton stuff w/ 35" boggers so i think im an ok driver.----can you honestly say you can put 42's, or even 38's on a 1/2 ton axle----im gonna have to say no. im not saying 1/2 ton is junk---ive seen that stuff take some CRAZY lines w/ pretty big tires but i wanted bigger tires and no worries. That is why I spent <font color="blue"> my </font color> hard earned $$ on a 60.my $.02
 
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Well replying to posts 'correctly' (believe it or not the majority of us do that...) lessens the confusion somewhat. If you can't be bothered maybe a short disclaimer that the following remarks are not aimed at anyone in particular would help.


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There is no "correct" way to reply with this board software when it comes to making a general reply to the POST. It HAS to be replied to somebody and if you're giving a generalized opinion then there isn't a way to do it and not have it reply to anyone in particular. Because of the limits of the software I'm going to use it the most convenient way. As I stated before, the comment made it clear that it wasn't pointed at anyone in particular. It was generalized and you just happened to be the last one to post.


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So I should go back to half ton junk, an NP208 with slip yoke and maybe the stock 305 the truck came with and just modify my driving habits?

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If thats what you want to do, go for it.

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Maybe I should put crappier brakes on too and just modify the way I use that pedal while I'm at it?


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By all means, to each his own.

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Can you honestly say you haven't added a stronger more durable part to your truck?


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Nope, first thing that went into my K5 was a $100 14 bolt. That was doable for me cause the rear axle is the most important and takes the most abuse. Now a $1k+ D60 is way out of my price range for what is gained. I just kept a soft/light foot and that is much easier to deal with than the hefty price of a 60.

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Can you honestly say you enjoy trail repairs?


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Actually I do. I find it quite satisfying knowing I can fix mostly anything on the trail, and when I'm able to do so for myself or others it gives me a good feeling of accomplishment. But thats just me.

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Do you honestly believe that any D44 or 10 bolt will survive with 38"+ tires and terrain to match?


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That I'd have to say NO. I realize there are some people who actually NEED the 60, my comment was for those who's posts I've seen about "needing" a 60 so badly and the worst they ever do is a dirt trail on some backroad. Money well spent &lt;--- hahaha From your descriptions it sounds like it WAS money well spent and I'm glad you have that peace of mind and actually do use your rig for what it was intended.

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Funny how I've never heard anyone say they regretted buying a D60 for their truck...yet I have heard people bitch about how stupid they were to sink mega $$ into a D44 or 10 bolt only to have it break anyways.


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The most I've done to my 44 was convert it to 8 lug so I didnt have to carry around a second spare. Crossover steering on it, but thats for a whole other purpose. Like I said, I've wheeled pretty hard on the rocks out here in Cali and have been fortunate enough to not need anything stronger as of yet. I keep the pedal light and especially so when I have the wheel turned.


My opinion on that "The answer isn't always bigger/stronger" is a true one for me. Bigger doesnt mean better, stronger doesn't mean better. Each of us have to ask ourselves if thats what we actually need, or would toning down on something else be a better solution.
 
Hey whats wrong with my 1/2 ton junk? Errr... I mean whats wrong with my 1/2 ton non-junk? Errr oh crap... I still have 1/2 ton junk no matter how ya say it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I just have a plan to stockpile ALL the 1/2 ton axles and diffs that everyone who buys D60s is unloading really cheap! When I have about 35 spare axles per side, a couple dozen housings, lotsa gear sets, and maybe a few extra lockers of varying descriptions, I am loading it all up in my new trailer and heading her to Rene's place to wheel with the boys! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Oh ya, and I cant forget the swampers... geez, I hope I have room to sleep in there. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Maybe someday I will graduate to the big stuff.
Mike
 
Although the inital purchase price hurt (I'll admit it.../forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) I felt it made more economic sense in the long run. I've spent the last 5 years being easy on the gas...watching what I'm doing when the wheels are turned and being as gentle as possible with my current D44.
Every second trip I'd hear my front U-joints creak groan and let me know they had had enough. Without some gentle driving I would have fragged something for sure. I have passed on some tougher parts of trails knowing things were shaky up front. I don't live in Southern Cali...where I live and wheel more often than not it's either wet, or cold or otherwise miserable. Trail repairs lose their appeal in less than ideal conditions.

At any rate if I want to wheel bigger and badder stuff I expect to have to upgrade my junk to bigger and badder stuff.

This shouldn't be a pissing match. Although there are plenty of trucks that don't warrant a D60 front for whatever reason...who am i to say that things might not change for the owners of those trucks later? They may just have decided to build the truck with the best they could afford the first time and then as their wheeling appetite grows the truck is already durable enough.

I don't begrudge anyone whatever modification they make no matter how out of reach financially it may be for me. Doublers, Atlas's, Rockwells, ARB's, King Coils, 496" FI big blocks...all cool and all not my money or truck.

Rene
 
I'll admit I dont want to spent 1200 for a D60.. but If I wanna wheel like the guy's I've been with.. Donimator, leadfoot067.... and run 39.5 boggers.. I NEED a D60 to feel safe...

Good call Rene... You said it all for me!
 
i need a 60 in the front , ill keep my 12 bolt ff thanks ! andy and hi bass ackwards 4/3 ton with franken t-cases ,front fenders and soon to be bed . oh i love wheeling and modifig ,just not spending the $$$ umm yeah i just i had something to say ....shoulda kept that a secret ...
 
I NEED a D60, or a K30 for that matter, to feel safe and bulletproof while driving on the streets here in town. /forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif
 
Well,

I bought a K30 from Wes for $1500, it had D60/14 Bolt FF with Detroit and 4.56 gears. I pulled the axles and traded the rest of the truck to the guy who towed it back to me here in Missouri. This fella gave me a rust free Blazer tub, fenders, hood and power tailgate and spare hard top. So, I came out Okay in my opinion.

On Waxer's behalf - I once carried the 1/2 ton torch. I argued these points, but I found myself breaking more and more on each run. Plus, I didn't have much confidence in my drivetrain when on the trail. This lead to me steering away from things like the Waterfall at Disney and a few other "minor" (5 - 8 foot ledges straight up!) things. I spent the extra money and bought Detroit's front and rear, Warn Full Floater rear and Warn Alloy Shafts up front. I finally made the decision to upgrade when I realised I could sell all my 1/2 ton stuff and pay for 1 ton! I have never looked back. Now when I wheel, I can hammer the throttle when needed without the worry of not getting home.

Waxer, I am probably one of the easiest drivers on my rig out of our group of wheeling buddies. I Have broken numerous Dana 44 parts. One shaft broke when winching someone! So, you are correct in saying its about how WE use these parts and our driving styles - but I find myself getting more agressive in my driving style and going more places. With that, it takes heavy duty stuff! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Sooo.....I have the 14b FF out back and the 6 lug D44 up front still.....Does that make me, errr....5/8 ton?
As far as breaking stuff on D44's with larger tires....You don't need real biog tires to break them...Just a couple weeks ago, I stripped both spiders gear in my D44 of most of thier teeth. And I only run 33's. /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gifI think it's the BB's fault. /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif
 
What gears are you running? are you locked in the front? People who run 38"s and bigger, obviously want lower gears, and im not a Gear guru but im pretty sure that 4:88's or 5:13's for a D44 have some weak ass pinions. and i hear that D44's dont stand up well with full lockers.
 
So far, it has cost me $40 in seals, prolly another $100 for rotor/calipers and maybe $20 for paint to get my "bargain" D60 ready to install. I may not use this D60 as hard as some, but I feel it's one less D60 going to the crusher/smelter. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Makes me sick to think howmany good parts have been melted down over the years by scrapyards.
 
OK,

My .02 worth of information.

Running 1/2 ton sfuff in the front, and get this, running the original long side inner and outer shaft, have broken the short shaft good amount of time when I wheeled on the east coast.

Been in AZ now for over 2 years have wheeled the hardest trails I can fit my blazer on, including trails I cant fit my blazer on on 1/2 ton gear and have had no breakage on my 44. Including the original 1972 long side shaft with the extra small joint on it. Run a doubler and 4:11 in the rear along with a 500 rpm stall converter behind a 350 TPI motor. I will run the 44 stuff until I hit the east coast, and have to get back to putting my foot into the gas more.

I have been on some big dog trails and done some things you should have not been able to do with 1/2 ton gear.

I'm a 1/2 ton geek for now.
/forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
I got my front D60 for $550. All I did to it was replace a few seals, repack the bearings and kingpins, straighten the tierod, and add a Lock-Right, pinion yoke, and u-bolts. About $330 for the seals and Lock-Right, $80 for a 1410 pinion yoke, and $50 for a u-bolt and stud kit for the leaf springs to put it in working condition under my truck. So I have about $1000 sunk an excellent condition, 4.56 geared, locked D60. A good deal, I think.


Will
 
i can agree on that, i was hard on my rear 10 bolt, but i busted it up with 33's and a heavy foot, so i installed a 12 bolt, still stayin half ton, fer me upgradeing to 1 ton or even 3\4 ton would be stupid and not worth it, i wheel hard, and ive done stupid things to my truck off-road. but it would be fun to have that 14ff locker rear, and dana 60 front so i could be really hard on it, but then id probly end up toasting somthing else, and then have to upgrade that, and that and that. but from what everone says, bad and good. im gunna say it is undaubtibly personal prefrance. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif /forums/images/graemlins/truck.gif
 
I have a 14FF and D60 both with lockers and 4.56 gears and the only thing I have broken is my spirit after getting it stuck in a huge mud hole! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Probably could have gotten out if i was runnin a gasser but I like the durability of my 6.2 Diesel. Only thing I dislike about diesels is the RPM range is much lower so I eaither crawl thru mud or get stuck. But my climbing power is unreal. I can easily climb a 60 degree grade dirt hill in 4 low without breaking tires loose and she is only purring as we climb. Thats my .02 and I WANT change. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
you can have the pump 'worked' to allow 4000rpm the bottom end should easily handle that
 
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I have a nice soft foot

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stay 1/2 ton then. not sure i see the point of 'soft footing'
so if you slip into a hard spot you rely on others to pull you out without even trying the loud pedal???

I loved the faces of the '1/2 tonners' when doing driveline torturous stunts with reckless abondonment while looking for the limits of the 60.

pretty hard to field repair broken ring gears or carriers.
the math on cost of a front 60 VERY quickly makes it one of the best cost/value additions to a big tired 4x4.
how many broken stranded in the bush without parts experiences = $1000
for the cost of 'upgrading' a 1/2 ton you can have a 60.

I have yet to see a single post stating 'why did I waste my money on going 1ton?'
most seem to be in the vein of 'WOW I cannot believe I spent money on the 1/2 ton crap after trying a 60!'

cannot wait to see each of the 1/2 ton proponents cross over, the 'I have seen the light' posts are the best
 
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stay 1/2 ton then. not sure i see the point of 'soft footing'
so if you slip into a hard spot you rely on others to pull you out without even trying the loud pedal???


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Well there's people who use raw power and rpms to get where they have to go, then there's others who use finesse and idle rpms to accomplish the same thing.

I've never been stuck where more rpms would have helped in that situation. I strictly rock crawl and its low and slow for me. Works great and always has worked great. I've seen people who just mash the pedal through the same stuff that I idle right through and they are usually the guys who break parts weekly and HAVE to upgrade to larger parts cause they have no pedal control.

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for the cost of 'upgrading' a 1/2 ton you can have a 60

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I have upgraded nothing on my 44 other than making it 8lug to match my 14 rear and crossover steering. But each were for different purposes other than "making stronger". Like I said, finesse and good wheel placement I will take any day of the weak over just mashing the pedal and hoping it gets me through. It seems to help lessen the amount of broke parts, a 60 is ideal for that. The wheeling out in Cali is generally dry and full of rock terrain. RPM's and rocks don't mix too well.

Now am I saying that if I came across a good deal for a 60 that I wouldn't get it? Hell no. I just feel that $1k+ for one is out of hand, especially so for people who just got them "because" thats what the majority of people seem to be doing, and to top it off don't even take their rigs wheeling. Thats what my first reply on this thread was about, me just wondering how many have done this.

I've personally seen 2 people who have found them in yards and got them for less than $100. I've seen people I didn't even know already ripping them out of the boneyards I've been to. I would have been the one ripping it out but they were there first.
 
Here we go again. the big dana 60 pissing contest. everyone get there fethers ruffled and defend whats in your rig. come on now- i don't hear any Rockwell people chiming in! Mogs??? Myself, i'm going to swap in IFS from a 1/2 ton burb and crank up the torsion bars! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Well, in my opinion, Waxer is very right. I am defending the 1/2 ton crowd cause I have the junk under mine, I cant afford to pick up a 60, I have only broken one front shaft, that was right after I put the trutrac in the front and hadnt figured its habits yet. Since then, I havent had a problem. Not saying I wont, or not saying that I have been able to get on things as hard as I could with bigger stuff, but I havent had any problems. And I am also not saying that if I had a chance I wouldnt buy one and upgrade mine cause I prolly would. BUT thats only if I start looking for tougher trails or locations to wheel on. My location doesnt have anything that I cant travel through or over right now so why spend the $$. The thing that I am seeing lately is that 'scooping a D60' is very much the thing to do. Almost everyone is doing it or wants to do it asap. Thats what has driven the price of these things beyond all logical reason. Gawd, guys are paying twice as much for the diff as they would pay for a complete truck that has one. Its ridiculous. Flip thru the paper. Find some farmer selling his work truck that has a blown engine in it. It has D60s that he doesnt know what they are, doenst care, he just wants to sell his truck. It has a flat bed on it, maybe duallies on a D70. You buy the thing for 2000.00, part it out, body parts, interior parts, the rear, the deck, even the frame. Bingo you have made back your 2000.00 and maybe more. Free D60. Dont give these junkyards the money. They are soaking people so bad, but guys keep paying them. And the point is, how many of the guys that have to have one cause its the thing to do actually wheel where they are needed? All they are doing is driving the prices up for no reason. There is no right answer. It all depends on what kind of wheeling you do. Tell me that you havent seen a poser in the mall that has never seen dirt, with a D60 just because. We all have. These are the guys that are boning the rest of us with the prices. They will pay anything. Then chrome it. Oh well, thats my thoughts... nothing personal.

Mike
 
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