Dana 60 HP front axles

[tempefd]

I currently have several bump side F250 4x4's that I have been collecting for several years. I have been restoring them a little at a time and drive them often. Over the years I have collected 5 Dana 60 HP front ends out of 78 and 79,s. I have torn down and rebuilt almost all of them. I was planning on putting them into some of my trucks for better braking and just a more heavy duty front end in general. I understand that it is a little bit of work to swap them into the 67-72.s that I have due to driveline angles and crossmember issues. Here is my question.... A guy contacted me today and wants to trade me 2 Dana 60 low pinions out of 76 crewcabs straight across for 2 of my hp,s. Is this a good trade and would I be better off to do a swap with a 60LP instead? Can you find parts for them still since they are one year only? I dropped a 76 44LP with the big hubs into my 72 last year in a couple of hours no problem. That is what got me thinking in this direction. Thanks for the help.

[speed bump]

A low pinion front for a high pinion front? Hell that guy is getting an amazing deal, HPs are designed for front axle applications and stronger overall in that application.

If I remember correctly the HP 60 should bolt in pretty easily. I know the 44 of that vintage will bolt in and it wouldn't surprise me if the 60 bolts in as well.

[Doug Comer]

That guy would be getting a great deal. From what I hear the low pinion Dana 60 are hard to find parts for. Other than shortening the driveline the HP Dana 60 is an easy swap. Just my .
Doug

[mljjones67]

Dana 60 hp's here in Utah go for big bucks. $1200 to $1500 not rebuilt.

[averagef250]

The ONLY advantage the 76-77 low pinion 60 has over the 76-77 44 front is it has kingpin knuckles. The 76-77 dana 60 is a dana 44 with 60 gears and knuckles, most of the parts are the same as a 76-77 44 front.

My advice is to do the work to fit the HP 60's in your trucks.

[Wes]

I wouldn't do the trade myself, I would be installing those D60' hp's in my trucks. I fact if you decide to sell any of those D60 hp's send me a PM maybe we can make a deal.

[tempefd]

Thanks for the advice, sounds like keeping the 60HP's would be the better choice. I thought they were all built the same through all the years, but it sounds like the 78-79 are the way to go if you want a stout front end that you can still find parts for. I have not seen a 60LP from the 76 and 77's myself in person to do a comparison. I guess I will keep them for now and maybe drop one in to see how it goes. Thanks again for al the advice and if I sell any of them I will PM the responders first.

[mlheppl]

I wouldn't do the trade myself, I would be installing those D60' hp's in my trucks. I fact if you decide to sell any of those D60 hp's send me a PM maybe we can make a deal.

I agree, and I'd also be interested in one of those D60's if you decide to sell.

[Redcap]

I would tell that guy to go pound sand.

[4x4freakfe427]

The HP's in ether 44 or 60's are the way to go. I started with a hp 44 until I found a hp60 for $1600. You get better ground clearance bigger and better brakes that are disk, and a lot easier to find parts for. I know on some of those lp60's are drum brakes but I have seen a few with disk brakes to. But I would stay away from the lp60's or at least don't pay to much for one if you try to get one they are not worth a lot of money.