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Stop the confuison Dana 60 for K5

brans87

brans87

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I know probably been asked so maybe we need a sticky for what works with K5's etc here.

But I wanna know what years/models I can get a Dana 60 from to fit a 87 K5. I know Most 87 and back Chevy Dana 60's will work but are there others you can find maybe cheaper from Ford or Dodge. Also what to look for when your checking one out to purchase?

Sure this will help me along with others here. Sorry to beat a dead hosre
 
This is all very common knowledge available by searching and has been covered many times.

Any Chevy/GMC front 60.

Dodge square body passenger side drop axles also work. The spring pad with is something like 1/2in different but can be adapted by modifying bushings.

Fords are and have always been the wrong side axle drop.
 
If you use a gm front, it will bolt in. No suprises. Dodges are a bit off like Stormis said - spring pads are off, but you can usually work those out. Fords are a no-go unless you're going to swap to driver side. D60's are expensive, esp around here. I looked for months and didn't find one, unless it was on someone elses project. Had to buy one from Kansas.

Sometimes you can get someone parting out a cucv and may get a better deal on one, and a lot of times they'll have lockers and 4.56 already.

I do see guys up in the New England area posting up some crazy good prices on them occasionally...
 
Also dually Dana 60 use a different hub.

When looking at a dodge 60 make sure its not a Dana 61. It is cast into the webbing under the diff
 
1977 up to 1991 Chevy/GMC trucks in the K30/3500 (77-86 years) and V30/3500 (87-91 years) is what you need to look for.
 
Everything's already been pretty much covered but just wanted to add that 78-79 Ford D60's have the same spring width as the GM's and will swap right in except for being driver's side drop but you can always pick up a newer style t-case with the driver's side drop on the cheap to make it work if you find one. All of the 80's+ Ford D60's after that have the wrong spring width and won't work unless you're planning on linking the front...

Dodge and GM D60's are crazy expensive where I'm at too and usually run $1100-1400+ for well used ones that need to be thoroughly gone through and re-geared (most that pop up have 3.54-4.10). From what I've seen on Pirate and Car-Part you should have a lot better luck finding one on the east coast without braking the bank...
 
The 61 the whole center section is cast different to allow to put stupid high gears in them. The deepest you can gear a 61 is 4.10. Using normal things. I put a 4.56 gearset in one using a 2 different carrier bearings and a custom spacer.
 
61 was built and put in the front end of dodges and the rear of fords. It was built to accommodate a 3.07 and a 3.00 gear set
 
I know i could find probably 10 different post etc but would it not make more since to do sticky for common ?'s on board?
For example which 14 bolt for my truck in rear, or head light relay up grade. I would think mods would help like on some other forums and group them together and make sticky for easier use. I am not knocking owner of CK5 for any things as to keep a site up like this is a full time job and he probably already has that and a family.

Might have got chewed but dang go the easiest answer on this subject fast with all good deatils and hoping it will help other guys/gals out. Thank you guys!
 
I know this thread is over a year old, but I thought it'd be better than starting a new thread with a similar question.

I found a Craigslist posting they're selling three Dana 60 rear axles:

two Dana 60 rear axles with 410 gears and limited slips out of 1980 f350 pick ups complete

one Dana 60 with 410 gears out of a 1971 Chevy K 20 with welded spider gears complete

Any of these work on an '84 square body? Pros/cons vs 14 bolt?

They also have this:

an Eaton eight lug rear axle that comes stock in a 1971 Chevy K 20 with 410 gears

Never heard of that one?

Wonder what they did with all the front axles...
 
All depends on planned use. For the bang for the buck the 14 bolt is hard to beat. None of those bolt in but they are all easy to use. The Eaton is my personal favorite from that list. Any of those just need a conversion joint or driveshaft mods and ruffstuff simple swap kit to get it under the k5.
 
Think the 60 might have a bit more clearance under the diff than a 14. Rear 60's are pretty strong though. Uncle's got one sitting around - don't remember if they're full floaters or not. Will say that 14b's are cheap as hell. Got mine - later model w/ factory disks (aam 10.5) for 250 at a wrecker downtown, and it was in pretty decent shape...
 
If I can get that 14 bolt from the junkyard it should only cost me ~$100. Just got to have the right tools and a helper. Thought I'd had that today, but ended up not having enough right tools.
 
Most rear D60's have the smaller 1.31" axles and would need the spindle bored out before it will accept a 1.5" shaft.

Imo, a rear D60 is not worth the effort to make it fit for these trucks.
 
that other single rear is a eaton rear . early before the 14ff . NOT a dana 60 . notice the pop out 3rd member.
 
Strength-wise a 14B rear is a clear winner over D60. 14B is more comparable to D70. A D60 rear is about the size of the 14B s/f. The Eaton is a cool old axle and comparable to a 14B, but with parts availability and the cheapness of 14B FF, it would only make sense if it happens to have the right gears/locker.
 
Dana 70HD for the win!!!....Just costs more than 14Bolt and harder to set the gears.....Okay a close 2nd place. :D
 
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