Dana 60 Front Axles

[KRob]

Alright guys, so this is the end state....one day i will put a cummins into the truck and i will need a heavier front axle. What is the best way to do this.

I understand if i can use the axle from the dodge downer with some modification. However educate me on the Ford Dana 60. High pin vs low pin which years i should be looking for, what a good price...i know they are spendy. anyway educate me and direct me towards good reading.

Thanks
Rob

[mikejc]

you can also find a 76-77 ford 60 front and upgrade to bigger axles shafts and 30 spline outer shafts. These you can find for 250 or less, but by the time you upgrade all the parts you can have what a hi pinion costs if you buy all new parts. less if you can find used stuff. but that way you'd have a built axle for what a hi pinion that needs some work would cost. I got my low pinion 77 60front for $150. FWIW, just another option

[KRob]

Ok, great thanks...thats what i kinda figured...i guess i will keep my eyes open.

Now the end goal for this truck is to put a 5.9 Cummins in it. Now i will probably buy a whole downer truck including a dana 60 front. How difficult might it be to take a dodge 60 front end and put it underneath the ford what issues am i going to run into. Spring perches...ect, if you have exact information that would help.

Thanks
Rob

[KRob]

How strong are the low pinion D60s. Would they hold a 6BT weight and 250hp 500tq? I am not going to be lifting the truck it will stay at stock height and it will be used as a farm truck so nothing to crazy but good hard work.

[CrypticRacer13]

How strong are the low pinion D60s. Would they hold a 6BT weight and 250hp 500tq? I am not going to be lifting the truck it will stay at stock height and it will be used as a farm truck so nothing to crazy but good hard work.

You'll be plenty strong under the front end with an stock 78-79hp 60 no problem

[averagef250]

Use a Ford front axle that fits under the truck. There are numerous benefits to a high pinion Ford front end and you will find yourself in a tight spot trying to stuff a 5.9 into a small engine bay pickup with drivetrain offset to the passenger side piled on top of switching to a passenger side front diff. Your down pipe is on the passenger side. The frame is 34" wide, the engine is 24" wide and offset 1.5" to the passenger side. Do you really want a front axle pinion, driveshaft and transfer case all in the way of your exhaust?

Dodge used the 60 through 1993. That thing under the 94 and newer dodges that somewhat resembles a front axle (you might even think it vaguely resembles a 60) is not. What that is the result of dodge accountants cutting every tenth of a penny of decency out of the rest of the truck so Dodge could make a profit on the pickups while putting a Cummins engine in them.

[KRob]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Dustin thank's for the specific information. I was trying not to go with a passenger side drop because i knew that would be more difficult however i have a good line on a 1st gen donor and was starting to contemplate it....i think not now. My thought now was to go with a second gen but i assume you are talking about the cad system which brings out a whole new ball of wax.

Besides the obvious of up to 79, what other year tucks are out there that would be driver drops that wouldn't be too painful to transfer in. I am keeping my eyes upon for a dent dana 60 but i am not seeing any.

Once again thanks everyone.

[averagef250]

76-77.5 crewcab F-250 4x4's have a low pinion 60 which is lighter in several aspects than the later axles.

The 78-79 axles aren't that hard to find and $1200 or so isn't a ton of money either.

There's the whole mated vs divorced t-case question to deal with. In a nutshell, mated will cost more and net a better finished result. Divorced won't work very well, but if you're only going to use the truck for a few thousand miles a year it won't really matter to you. I bring up mated/divorced because a low pinion front axle and a mated transfer case doesn't really work out for a front driveline. If you plan to use a mated transfer case (even with no lift) you'll want to use a high pinion front axle.


Also, there are lots of people with heavy engines in these and other old trucks NOT running a 60 front, just leaving the old 44 in place. A 44 will handle the weight of a 5.9 fine for most people.

[KRob]

Dustin thanks,

I will most definently copy your comments into my build book....i'm in Germany right now and wont be able to do this for a little while.

The truck will get used for an every day ranch truck....so not necessarily a lot of miles but lots of use. I am pretty easy on equipment so do you think a 44 would hold up.

I am glad you brought up the divorced verse mated...that was going to be my next question along with trannies... I was thinking 2wheel drive nv4500 to a divorced transfer case however i am in the planning stages so please educate me. I'd even think zf5 but all i know is the name no strengths and weakness.

Also i know a little however my knowledge to strength and weakness and technical terms is very limited......think real dumb farm kid who can take stuff of and replace it but that's about it.

Thanks i really appreciate all the information and help.

Rob

[averagef250]

I replied to your PM, Thanks.