Need Rear Dana 60 info pleeezzz

[Bones]

Okay, I go here Pirate Bible and I can't seem to find what I want/need. Loking for a 64"~ axle with 5 x 5.5" pattern (easy to convert to 6 x 5.5) so I can keep my 6 lug wheels. No problems with narrowing and having to order new shafts if needed. Would like to avoid if possible though.

I DID find that Jeep made one from 1969-1973 (medium truck) = 1 1/2"x35 spline semi-floating (5 on 5 1/2" lug pattern); Is this a J20 or 30?

Otherwise I have to find some 8 lug Chebby rotors/hubs to adapt my front and get some new steel wheels (not to concerned there either)

Also besides shaft replacement, is there a strength increase on a full float over a semi-float? Not to concerned about this since Toyota rear shafts are pretty strong as well, just curious. I'm looking for a stronger ring gear and beefier tubes mainly.

Here's a brief rundown on my "project" Front D44 (6 lug) 64" wide with 1.5" spacers and a rear Toyota 62" wide with 2" spacers. I am in the process of going rear links and cleaning up my housing when a friend stops by I haven't seen in ages with all sorts of connections in the wheeling world, as well as some NICE equiptment. He asks "Why not go with a rear 60, sell all your rear Toyota stuff, shave the 60 a tad and not be out too much ground clearance, but gain R&P strength?" Makes sense to me to consider changing now before I burn in these link mounts. Also I've went through a few sets of 8" R&P's (one 4.88 and two 5.29's) and would like to upgrade.

I have these parts to sell to try and offset the cost:

A used spool from a trail only rig, new Yukon 5.29's and master install kit, 2 empty 3rds (4 cyl), welded carrier, and two IFS rear housings with shafts/brakes. One has some diff armor, the other is missing the perches.

 

[Caleb]

Yep you are on the right track with the Jeep rear axle...I believe though that they are c-lip axles...I maybe wrong though...my best advice would be to get a full floater and cut it down...it will e easier to find and cheaper since they cna be had for about the same as a 14T...about $100 or less...the main diff between a full float and a semi flat is that the weight of the vehicle isn;t on the shafts on a full float...also when you beak a shaft your wheel wont fall off...they are tougher to shorten though because eveything has to be 100% square...if they aren't totally square then you will fry bearings more so than on the semi float...another suggestion is to go with a ford 9"...they are cheaper and easier to build than a D60 and they have a 9" ring gear and they are easy as hell to get parts for ...you can get anything from a 28 spline to a 46 spline shafts and the aftermarket is amazing for these cause of all the drag racers using them...you can make your own if you want and be able to get everything form www.new9inch.com its currie enterprises' 9" axle division...plus gear choices are limitless with a 9" and they are lighter than most axles and the housing is all stell instead of having a cast center so link placement is a lot easier...if you look into the 9" you will know what I mean...

 

[Bones]

Thanks for the info. I find that 30 spline 60's have no spool available and break more than you think. So it sounds like I would upgrade my shafts from the start to get my spool, so narrowing it is moot at that point.

Also on the 9", are the tubes pretty stout? I've heard mixed opinions on 9"ers, but like you said, they are one of the most popular axles in the world for us lower buck guys.

Or just stick with all my Toyota parts for another couple years and hope that this gear set will last a couple seasons since I spent the cash on better gears, and will have them set up by someone I found that is very knowledgable in this area.

 

[Vonski]

There are 30 spline D60 spools available, but only for 4.56 and numerically higher ratios.

That said, I don't think I'd bother with a 30 spline 60. Keep the Toy rear if you're going to do that.

 

[Bones]

Thank Von. Should the toyota housing itself be good to go with all the links mounts burned into it? I have it, plus lots of spares so I might as well use it right? Be at all interested in setting up my 3rd if I ship all the goods to SLC when I'm out there next month?

 

[troutbum]

Originally posted by Vonski
There are 30 spline D60 spools available, but only for 4.56 and numerically higher ratios.

Who makes it? Randy's said no one makes one...

 

[Herzog]

Lookin for the same axle..

Here is a little bit of info:
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1984

 

[Caleb]

Originally posted by Bones

Also on the 9", are the tubes pretty stout? I've heard mixed opinions on 9"ers, but like you said, they are one of the most popular axles in the world for us lower buck guys.

Or just stick with all my Toyota parts for another couple years and hope that this gear set will last a couple seasons since I spent the cash on better gears, and will have them set up by someone I found that is very knowledgable in this area.

I'm not 100% positive but I would say the 9" tubes are just as thinck as the D60 tubes...honestly you cant beat a 9"...they are way lighter than a D60 and just as strong...you wouldn;t see so many dragsters running them if they weren't. The main concern is the low pinion...when I had my 9" in my Jeep the pinion didn't seem to be as bad as I thought it would be...it is low but only an inch or so lower than a D60 or 14T (I can't speak for the toy stuff cause I have no experience with it)

Unless you are upgrading to 35 spline stuff then there really is no need to change axles...all you will be doing is gaining weight...and if you already have spare parts then thats a bonus...

 

[Bones]

BUT a 9" will cost more to build since they are more popular. The pinion is pretty low, but nothing that would bother me.

I can probably find a 60 rear for next to nothing, go 35 spline and spool/gear/disc it and be done for under $700 Hell a friend bought a HP Ford front 60 for $350 two weeks ago!!

If I don't find a dirt cheap 60 this week, I'll stick with my Toyota goods since I will be lighter now that is not a 4runner.

 

[Coreshot]

Bones, I just bought a 9in. out of a '79 F150 for $150. It's 65in.WMS-WMS. Going with a complete 3rd member from Randy's R&P. 513 gears(which are a little extra because it's a "special order"), Detroit and all the hardware installed for under $700.

 

[Bones]

Thanks Corey. I'm on the fence about what to do really. I'm talking with the guy that started all this madness tonight I'll go from there. I might just have him set up my Toyota 5.29/spool and be done with it, since it's all there and paid for. Otherwise this project will just get drug on longer and longer, and I wanna wheel more than wrench

 

[I Lean]

Originally posted by troutbum


Who makes it? Randy's said no one makes one...

It's a Yukon. (Randy's) How long ago did you ask them? They called us a couple weeks back looking to get rid of some, so I know they have 'em.

 

[Andy]

Bones, try to find a 65' Ford heavy half ton, that's where I got my first D60 rear ( semi float ), the width would be perfect for what you want. I don't know what the junk yards are like there but it may be worth a look. And by the way the 9" tubes are way thinner than a D60's, 1/4" in the 9" at best, as opposed to 3/8" or better in a D60.

 

[troutbum]

Originally posted by I Lean


It's a Yukon. (Randy's) How long ago did you ask them? They called us a couple weeks back looking to get rid of some, so I know they have 'em.

DAMN!...I called maybe three weeks ago, he said they were talking about making some but said there was no production date...I ended up springing for a detroit (not from randy's)

Guess when I kill a shaft and roast the detroit I will go spool next...

 

[Bones]

30 spline Detroit. You could have upgraded to 35 spline axles and a spool for about the same cost. 30 spline 60's aren't any better than what I have, so that's not even a consideration the more I think about it. So if I go rear 60, it's getting 35 splines for sure and I doubt my little 4 cyl and 194:1 will phase that rear.

 

[Caleb]

Originally posted by Bones
30 spline Detroit. You could have upgraded to 35 spline axles and a spool for about the same cost. 30 spline 60's aren't any better than what I have, so that's not even a consideration the more I think about it. So if I go rear 60, it's getting 35 splines for sure and I doubt my little 4 cyl and 194:1 will phase that rear.

on most rear 60s in order to go 35 spline you have to bore the spindle to 1.6" about since the 35 spline shafts are 1.5" and the stock spindle opening is smaller than that...and Andy, thanks for clearing up the tubes...I really wasn;t sure but I have never heard of anyone having issues with the 9" tubes...

 

[Bones]

Boring spindles is simple when you know the right people

 

[Caleb]

Originally posted by Bones
Boring spindles is simple when you know the right people

yes it is...I just wasn;t sure if you were aware if this was needed

 

[Bones]

Shoot I already have the rotors, calipers and brakets to go rear disc as well. So far it's all been FREEBIES Just need to find a 60 now. Should have one by the weekend once I make more calls.

 

[troutbum]

Originally posted by Bones
30 spline Detroit. You could have upgraded to 35 spline axles and a spool for about the same cost.

Hmm lets see...
Detroit 475 with a resale of 250-300...


Spool 190
new axles 300
Cut and weld to narrow rear axle 250
Cut and weld to narrow front axle 250
Custom front inner axles 300

If I could afford it I would go 35 spline too...but when I do it I want to narrow the axles, and buying custom axles twice did not make any sense. After spending way too much on the front 60 I am tapped... this will get me by, I already have two spare shafts...and when my money tree sprouts I can sell the detroit and go 35 spline...