Stock Dana 60 rear axle to Dually

[1972hiboy]

I think the whole reasoning for going dually in the back was that the OP lives pretty far off the beaten path and is concerned about being self sufficient out on his own if the truck were to have a malfunction. Having the rear be dually meant two spare tires, I believe the spare factor was the rationale behind this. I could be wrong but I think i heard him refer to that in another thread.

[Manny]

I think the whole reasoning for going dually in the back was that the OP lives pretty far off the beaten path and is concerned about being self sufficient out on his own if the truck were to have a malfunction. Having the rear be dually meant two spare tires, I believe the spare factor was the rationale behind this. I could be wrong but I think i heard him refer to that in another thread.

that's the one. He wants dual everything and a solid reliable truck. Don't think he is looking to load it heavier than a 250 highboy would have been otherwise..

[briansbronco]

I think the whole reasoning for going dually in the back was that the OP lives pretty far off the beaten path and is concerned about being self sufficient out on his own if the truck were to have a malfunction. Having the rear be dually meant two spare tires, I believe the spare factor was the rationale behind this. I could be wrong but I think i heard him refer to that in another thread.

Exactly. I already own a Dually 350 in 2wd. Basically the entire reasoning for installing the duals is redundant systems. I live in the mountains of Montana. It's not a place that suffers breakdowns and fools very well. If I breakdown and can't fix it myself it is likely I will be on foot for miles, possibly tens of miles to get either cell reception or see another person. Most can't fathom I but I had a serious brain fart a couple years back and got out into the back country on swell travelled dirt road and ran my truck out of diesel. Dodge decided that day was the day for the fuel gauge to act up. My spare can was empty in the back. I walked 14 miles and got a ride, finally from the postal letter carrier to a fuel stop and cell service area ten more miles away. Now imagine if you will that same story but the temperature outside is -20 or more......

I have a couple of serious tow vehicles. I don't have a need to load this truck down for towing. Plus when is the last time you saw a Dually 4x4 bump side? Exactly....

I'm a retired ASE master tech, with a diesel specialty. I'm not crazy or a kid. I am not 100 percent committed to adding duals on this truck as much as I really want to do it. I have not driven a Dually very much in the snow and ice as mine is 2wd and won't make it up my driveway without chains on. My buddy that lent me the dual lock ring wheel to test has a full set of duals that I can get cheap with 235-85-16's on it. I have this picture in my head of dual rears, stock front wheels and a leveled lift. Custom flatbed with all of my guiding equipment loaded for bear and elk. For me that is where it all begins, that picture in your head.

[Manny]

Gonna throw an idea at you and see if it sticks. Only since it's what I am doing and got the research sorted. The 80-96 f350 cab chassis trucks (not pickups) had a narrow frame like the highboys did. They also carried the Visteon Sterling 10.25 axle. 10.25inch ring gear versus 9.75 dana 60 big ol bearings everywhere and the best the rear brake drums slide off you don't have to disassemble the hub. They were all pretty much dually cab chassis trucks with 12-3.5" rear brakes. Very well built parts and a lot of them made. I have a 92 f350 4x4 cab chassis rolling chassis that is parts bin. The ZF5 for the highboy my 4x4 parts for my 94' dually are all coming from there. The Thing is the rear axle wouldn't fit the dually. But measuring it showed its a bolt in for the highboy. Perches all of it even looks like shock mounts will work. It also is 1" wider track width than the highboy 60 so it will fix that funky track width on the highboy I don't like. Its the rear axle I have chosen and will run single rear wheel. But as you are back and forth dually or not either way it will add some beef to the back and you probably can track one down.... Just my thoughts. 1980-96 Ford F350 cab chassis Sterling 10.25

[briansbronco]

We'll see how it goes. I have a 14 bolt and a Dana 60 in the back and if I do any swapping around on this truck it will likely be for that setup and just change the transfer case for a divorced 205. I doubt that will happen but you never know what the future holds. For now I think I'll just keep the Dana and play with the dual wheels at some point, maybe. It looks pretty good with the stock 16 pizza cutters on there. I took it for a little test drive today and it cut right through a foot of snow and ice to the top of the mountain on my property. Gotta put the new hubs in. The old ford hubs are shot and won't unlock without pliers.... Good thing a new set of premium Mile marker hubs came with the truck!

[Manny]

Well if you have a 14 bolt already..... That's hard to argue with! Sounds like a good plan. Just going on what i'm going to do because i have the 10.25 so i respect the i got it so its the best to use!!!

[Ranchero50]

I went 10.25 on my F-350 vs. the Dana 70 for several reasons. #1, I wanted easy parts availability and I wanted something less than 4.10 gears along with getting away from the limp wristed U joints.

I honestly don't see any benefit to running duals on a Dana 60.

[Manny]

I went 10.25 on my F-350 vs. the Dana 70 for several reasons. #1, I wanted easy parts availability and I wanted something less than 4.10 gears along with getting away from the limp wristed U joints.

I honestly don't see any benefit to running duals on a Dana 60.

For him i think it's just doing it he is still on the fence about it. With mine going to be 4.10's but i have the 5 speed to offset it thankfully otherwise would be with you on 3.50's or so.

[briansbronco]

I love 4.10's... All my trucks have at least 4.10. My 1970 has 4.56 and it will climb a tree.... This 69 will eventually get a Diesel engine, as all my trucks do and a 5 speed. Making the 4.10's even more attractive. If this truck doesn't go Dually it will certainly get larger tires than the 235-85-16's on it. Ground clearance is the name of the game here. In heavy snow that is the only thing that saves our butt. Taller tires but not wider.

[Manny]

I love 4.10's... All my trucks have at least 4.10. My 1970 has 4.56 and it will climb a tree.... This 69 will eventually get a Diesel engine, as all my trucks do and a 5 speed. Making the 4.10's even more attractive. If this truck doesn't go Dually it will certainly get larger tires than the 235-85-16's on it. Ground clearance is the name of the game here. In heavy snow that is the only thing that saves our butt. Taller tires but not wider.

You and my brother would get along perfect. He is Mr. 255/85R16

[1972hiboy]

you need some 9.00 x r16 Grip Spurs!!

[briansbronco]

I wish I knew where to get them here in Montana. I am from Tennessee originally and we could get them at the CO-OP there but here no one has ever heard of them.

[1972hiboy]

A couple years ago I had found out about those tires. Had to have a set. thought they were really neat. Of course in Cali you think we have a CO-op??? heck no. I called roughly 15 CO-OPs across the country. They had all informed me that tire was discontinued but some other locations may still have some left over stock. Finally found one CO-OP in Colorado that had one last set. He said c'mon down and we'll put them on your truck. He was beyond shocked when I asked him to ship them to Cali! So I do have a set. only used them for a couple weeks at a time , maybe three times. Been keeping them in inside storage when they weren't on the truck so if your driving through Cali and and have to have a set of grip spurs lemme know. otherwise I think the buckshots are the only thing being made that are comparable.

[briansbronco]

I'm shipping a truck to Cali this week... They aren't coop specific but if you google 900-16 agriculture tires, you'll find dozens of places that sell them. My only issue with them is that the ones we could get were bias ply rode like the were square for about 5 miles or so until the tire warmed up. Then it was just like an octagon....until finally round after 20 miles. In the cold and snow it would take longer I bet. No doubt they are digging SOB's. I've never had a set on the snow and ice but the last ones I found for sale were stud able. I would really love a set for the new 69. To me it's a great looking tire and in all the years I have seen them on farm trucks I'm not sure I have ever seen one worn out.They usually dry rot well before wearing out the tread.