Dana 60 info

[johnhinds]

A friend has a Dana 60,he says out off an 80's Ford 3/4. I don't know much about them but he's taking it to the scrap yard if i don't want it(free). what do i need to look for, tag no.,serial no.?how can i tell if its a trac-lok? I would like to put it in my 65 Belvy. I'm going to a 4-spd so if its a 3.54 that would be great. what all is involved to make it work?I know some machinist here that would probably give me a break on narrowing it. what all would i have to buy? should i take it? thanks guy's for any info on this, John

 

[fourforty6pac]

You would need to put mopar ends on it and get axels and all the brake stuff. There is no provisions for a pinion snubber on those axels.

 

[65hemi]

If its free, I'd say grab it, even if it is just for the housing. But I have seen at least one dana-looking diff with small tubes, so check for that first. I think dana 60 tubes should be 3". Mopar ends are available at Mancini.

 

[johnhinds]

How do you know how much to narrow it and then how do you know what length axles to get?

 

[Supershafts]

You'll need to bring it to a shop that does that work...

1st find out it is a D-60 and not a D-61. . . . if there is no tag look at the pass side axle tube about 2" off the center section for the BOM # stamped into the tube

 

[johnhinds]

There is a tag on rh side of cover,but i can't read it clearly. what am i looking for on the tube?

 

[Moparmatt72]

That's what I did, got one out of a gmc truck, but mine had tags and has 4.10 and the trac lock, I'm getting new housing tubes from strange and will convert to rear discs with the mopar ends, now once you get the mopar ends you can swap over the drums if you have a 8 3/4. Strange sells the tubes for $24 a foot I believe.

 

[johnhinds]

I was hoping just to cut down the tubes already on it.

 

[Moparmatt72]

You can do that, the reson I'm getting new ones is gmc have a lot of stuff on theirs, all the mounts and shock brackets. When I compared the width as is minus the nose for the 3/4 ton brakes it was about the same as my 8 3/4 now.

 

[Supershafts]

There is a tag on rh side of cover,but i can't read it clearly. what am i looking for on the tube?

You're looking for stamped numbers 000000-0 thats how many numbers you're looking for, start at about 2" off where the tube is pressed into the axle housing on pass side. . .

 

[kb67mopar]

Snag that thing! even if you don't use it for your car those axles are valuable to 4x4 enthusiasts. The D60 axle is huge for the jeep guys and they pay a pretty penny for an axle like that. I'd say its at least worth $2-300 if sold to a 4x4 guy.

 

[Cranky]

Did you look at the links I sent you in the PM? If that rear is the '501' housing, it's going to have the 1 3/4" tubes but they can still be used and Mopar housing ends can be welded on. Just need to find someone that knows how to do it. I've done several. Also, iirc, you can get backing plates plates to fit the bearing housing flanges that are already on there but they won't be Mopar. I'd have to do some research on that because I'm not sure about that. If you've never done any rear end work, I would suggest you try to hook up with someone that has or do a bunch of research on how to do it. Everything is on the net these days. Also, you should use an alignment bar for when you start welding things back together to make sure things stay straight. A bit if info tho is that I weld on the bearing housings last after any other welds are made. Whenever you put heat to the tubes for spring pads etc, the tubes will move.

 

[johnhinds]

I went for a 2nd look today,BOM:605169-7 is a 83-85 ford 3/4 60 3.54 open semi-float. where is the housing no. you speak of (501)?

 

[Cranky]

I went for a 2nd look today,BOM:605169-7 is a 83-85 ford 3/4 60 3.54 open semi-float. where is the housing no. you speak of (501)?

It would be on top towards the front in the area where the snubber would be. Not sure if those were actually used in service but they used the 501's for a huge dyno test. From what I hear, they were used for a lube test.....but I wouldn't think they would cast up a bunch of centers just for a test?

 

[johnhinds]

Looks like it had a 3c or 30 in that area. it looks to me like it has 3" tubes.

 

[johnhinds]

I think i will go ahead and take it. we have a Dana distribution center here in Crossville and i have a few friends that work there that might be able to help me with some parts.

 

[Cranky]

Looks like it had a 3c or 30 in that area. it looks to me like it has 3" tubes.

Not familiar with the 3c or 30....and measure the tubes to be sure. Doesn't really matter tho even if they are 2 3/4" diameter. It's still strong.....

 

[fourforty6pac]

Its probably close to the length you need. I put one from a ford in my 72. It was about 2 inches shorter then I needed but it worked. It would be real close to the same size as a 69-70 b body. I dont know what lenght the 65 b's are just measure yours. You might get lucky and be able to get the axels drilled to 5x4.5. Like was stated above if worse comes to worse you couls sell it to a jeep guy looking to put it his rig. I got mine for my jeep but used it in my road runner instead. The drum brake parts are easy to find for a Mopar or a disc conversion is not too hard to do either. Is it 30 or 35 spline? 30 spline is still stronger then an 8 3/4 rear and a posi for it is not too costly. Either way it's a win win situation.

 

[johnhinds]

That would be great if it don't need to be cut down. I'll have to measure it,62-70 B's are about 55" wide. thanks John