Dana 60 swap

tmcalavy · Post by **tmcalavy** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:23 pm

Okay, basic question is...can I put a Dana 60 rear end from a 78 F250 in place of my Dana 60 in my 69 F250. I found a complete 78 Ford F250 Dana 60, minus the spring perches, with 3.54 gears...hoping to accomplish a gear ratio change with this swap. I know the axle spline counts are different...16 in my truck and 30 or 32 in the 78...so a ring and pinion swap is not do-able. Have also read that there may be a difference in axle length...that sometime after 72 or 73 Ford went with wider frame spacing and also wider differentials? Any input is welcome and appreciated.

forrestbump · Post by **forrestbump** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:10 pm

Bump frames are 34" in width versus Dent (2WD) at 38" and as far as I know, Dent rear axle housings are wider than Bump versions.

I tried using a '78 F150 9" rear housing in a '67 F100 that I owned many moons ago but it was too wide. Granted, this was on a Ford 9" and I've not looked into an F250 Dana 60 swap, but I'll assume it'll have the same issues.

...my

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:50 pm

The spring perches would be much different, but that sounds like a non-issue since they've been removed and new ones will be needed.

The width will be a few inches wider, but it will fit fine under the older truck. The later dana 60 axle will have 30 spline axles.

tmcalavy · Post by **tmcalavy** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:19 am

I think I'm gonna pass on this deal. I only have four inches clearance from tire sidewall to fenderwell as it is...another four inches would cut that to two inches. Guess I'll keep look for an older Dana 60 donor with 3.54 gears...good things come to those who wait. Thanks for the input.

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:22 am

I don't understand. The 67-72 sheetmetal isn't narrower than 78-79 sheetmetal. If the axle fit under a 79 it'll fit under a bump. If your tires hit with the later, standard width axle then you have the wrong offset wheels.

Post by **Ranchero50** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:53 pm

Might be a candidate for a Sterling swap...

tmcalavy · Post by **tmcalavy** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:23 pm

averagef250 wrote:I don't understand. The 67-72 sheetmetal isn't narrower than 78-79 sheetmetal. If the axle fit under a 79 it'll fit under a bump. If your tires hit with the later, standard width axle then you have the wrong offset wheels.

I've got stock 69 F250 rims and am running 265X75X16 tires. Maybe I'm misunderstanding...is there a width difference from brake drum to brake drum between a 69 Dana 60 and a 79 Dana 60. I know the spline count is different, but what about total width? If there is a 4-inch difference in the frame width between the years, wouldn't the differential width and axle length be different? Not arguing with anyone, just trying to sort this out cause I'm on a limited truck budget and can't afford any spending mistakes right now.

And what is a Sterling upgrade?

Post by **Ranchero50** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:29 pm

40 3/8" vs. 43 3/4" spring pad width is the difference on the two Sterlings I have. The narrow one was a chassis cab dual rear and the wide one was a F250 single wheel pickup.

Jamie

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:53 pm

The brake drums have nothing to do with anything besides stopping the truck.

The wms-wms is all that matters. The later axles are a couple inches wider. They fit inside the body fine regardless.

tmcalavy · Post by **tmcalavy** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:48 am

Thanks for the input guys...forgive my stupidity, never messed with a differential before except to top off the lube so I'm a total newb at the lingo, etc. Guess I'll measure the width of my diff, from backing plate to backing plate, and then make a little road trip to check out the 78 Dana 60...I need to get out the house anyway. If it looks sound, I may pop for it...the guy's only asking $100 for it. Just hope it isn't totally in pieces as I have no desire to learn how to re-assemble a diff from scratch. I'll keep you posted. If I get it, I'll be back on this forum asking the best way to swap diff's.

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:30 pm

Again, backing plates nor brakes have zero influence whatsoever on the width of the axle.

The WHEEL MOUNT SURFACE TO WHEEL MOUNT SURFACE is all that matters.

tmcalavy · Post by **tmcalavy** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:53 pm

Okay, thanks...I was wondering what WMS was in your previous post. I'll measure both differentials from WMS to WMS. If there's more than a 4 inch difference I think I'll have trouble with tire space in the fenderwell...my tires fill out the well pretty much as is. Don't know the history of this truck, so I may check the diff tag tomorrow to make sure it's a stock 69.

tmcalavy · Post by **tmcalavy** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:41 am

Well, I passed on the 78 Dana 60...it had been taken apart and reassembled and I didn't like that prospect. Still looking for a donor 3.54 ring-n-pinion out of a 16-spline Dana 60...it'll happen someday. Thanks for your help.

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:11 am

Any dana 60 gears will fit your axle, you don't need gears from a 16 spline one to fit it. You can use a newer carrier too, just need the 2 16 spline side gears swapped in.

tmcalavy · Post by **tmcalavy** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:45 am

Thanks for your help...I learn something every time I come on this forum. So, if I understand you correctly I could use the carrier and ring-n-pinion in the 78 Dana 60 as long as I swap in the 16 spline side gears from my 69 Dana 60...do I have that right? If so, I might run back out there and grab it.

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