How hard is it to swap a rear axel

[ddg551]

I am going to put a dana 60 in my 86 k5 with a 6 inch lift. How hard would this be to do. How long would it take and what other parts should i get to really make it top of the line ****. moneys not an options. also where to get the parts.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Make sure you get new U-bolts. Rear gearing matches the front?

I'm not sure, but you may need a conversion u-joint, anyone???

 

[HOPPER]

Why would you want to put a 60 in the rear when 14's are a dime a dozen?
I dont know about a 60 but im pretty sure a 3/4 14 bolt will bolt right in.
Just a thought.

 

[ddg551]

I want a 1 ton. I want to put a lot of beating on it and i dont want to worry.

 

[Wrench]

I want a 1 ton. I want to put a lot of beating on it and i dont want to worry.

The same 14 bolt FF axles were used under the 3/4 and one tons in the rear, and the 14 bolt is FAR stronger than a dana 60.

When we talk about 3/4 ton axles vs. 1 ton axles, we're almost universally referring to the FRONT axle, which in a 3/4 ton was either a D44 or a 10bolt corporate, as opposed to the 1 tons, which always had D60's

 

[reddog64]

i believe the rear 60 has better gear selection available...
The 14 bolt only goes into the mid 5.xx

 

[Wrench]

True dat . . .

It's been my opinion that if you need more reduction than 5.13 gears provide, you're better off to rig a doubler of some sort or change the gearing in your t-case, because lowering your gear ratio reduces pinion gear diameter and creates much more stress on your gears and bearings. Of course, the nose bearing on the 14 bolt's pinion vastly improves this situation

 

[noface]

Why the F*** would you want a 60 in the rear when you can bolt in a 14 bolt and have a better axle?

The 14 loses an inch or two in clearance, but the strength factor over the 60 far outweighs any disadvantage of ground clearance. At least thats my $.02

If your stuck on a "Dana" axle, you would better off finding a D70 that were in some of these GM trucks.

The 14's a lot easier to work on too. Parts are cheap, and as pointed out earlier, they're a dime a dozen.

 

[ryoken]

How big a tire are you running?

14b ff is a far better choice, unless you happen to have a 60 laying around, maybe...

3/4 ton bolts right in, 1 ton needs the perchs moved... You can usually find a set of 3/4's ( 14b ff, and 8 lug 10b) for 4, $500...

And ummmm, it's axle....

 

[sandawgk5]

If money is no option build a 70. The strength is comparable to a 14FF and it has 35 spline shafts and it has the gear selection of any Dana axle (6.17 I believe).

Dana 60 rears almost always have 16 spline in the rear axle some dodge 60s had an odd 23 spline or something like that.

I vote for 14FF or Dana 70 if you want / need the extra gear selection.

Dik

 

[sandawgk5]

You could always call Dyna Crap and have them build you a pro-rock 60FF with uber big 40 spline shafts. You said money is no option and that axle will run you about $8000.

Dik

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Even if money is not an object, it's still smarter to bolt in a 14bff.. Chevy did us a huige favor making these axles stout, plentiful, and bolt in goodness, why not take advantage of that?