Dana 60 Front for my 1965 K20? Width issues?

[BigSix]

So I found a 3.73 front chevy 60. Problem is I think its wider than my stock 1965 GMC closed knuckle 44. Any insight on this issue? I believe my stock axle is 67.5" WMS to WMS and the 60 would be about 69.5 WMS to WMS? I don't want the front tracking wider than the rear...would it be better to go with a Dodge front 60? That should be 67.5 WMS to WMS?

[Drewbee]

I'm not sure about 65, but offroad design makes a kit to use a dodge dana 60 up front for my 69 k10 and though it's been pricey it is heavy duty. The dodge dana 60 has the spring perches a 1/4" on each side, so ORD (offroad design) has a bushing set to move springs to set perfect on the d60.

[BigSix]

Originally Posted by Drewbee

I'm not sure about 65, but offroad design makes a kit to use a dodge dana 60 up front for my 69 k10 and though it's been pricey it is heavy duty. The dodge dana 60 has the spring perches a 1/4" on each side, so ORD (offroad design) has a bushing set to move springs to set perfect on the d60.

Thanks. I think I actually need the Dodge front and not the Chevy. Having the front wider than the rear would be pretty nasty looking.

[b454rat]

All GMs have the front track width wider than the rear. I swapped 3/4 tons in my old 62' burb, fit and looked fine.....

[b454rat]

Besides it's only an inch per side....

[dieseldude4bt]

The front is wider than the rear on chevys. I have an '84 dana 60 in mine and it looks normal people don't even notice that it's been converted.

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by BigSix

Thanks. I think I actually need the Dodge front and not the Chevy. Having the front wider than the rear would be pretty nasty looking.

Oops! Looks like I messed up... swapped in a GM axle.


Here's my nasty turd... but I'm simple to please... I guess.

[BigSix]

Looks like a Dodge 60 is the way to go to keep it all same width. Sucks because I will have to regear a Dodge axle but I do want to keep the track narrow.

[obijuan]

Yes a dodge 60 looks right for your truck. We may need the minority thinking that. Needs some skinny mud grips too.

[BigSix]

Originally Posted by obijuan

Yes a dodge 60 looks right for your truck. We may need the minority thinking that. Needs some skinny mud grips too.

Read my mind sir! Currently have 12.5 wide and 35" tall muds. Planning to replace them with 35 tall and skinny as possible michelin muds as soon as I can.

[obijuan]

Cool thing about a dodge 60 is that it has 1/2" studs to match the rear. A chevy 60 is 9/16. I'm building a 65" kingpin dana 44 and a 63" eaton rear. I am a big fan of narrow axles and tall skinny tires.

[BigSix]

I'd love to build a front 60 using the Dodge tubes and the 79 Ford high pinion center section...wouldn't really be that difficult...

[obijuan]

Nah. Where it's at is the 05 and up super duty axles. Cut the tubes put of the inner c. Retube it and use the super heavy duty outers on these new f250s. Use the leaf sprung high pinion diff from an 04 and older f250 axle. As of right now they are going for 125 an axle in the yards. They're everywhere. Very reasonable for the axle builder.
But a dodge 60 bolts in.

[jeffahart]

Any how. After you swap in the dodge 60 put some spacers in your rear so you have the same wms width front and rear. That is what you are after... and not what you have now!

But in all fairness, I should disclaim I swapped in a 14bolt with my front GM 60. And it looks a lot better. I had the 1970 open knuckle 44 with the HO52 and I have to say... It did look kind of goofy!

[BigSix]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Any how. After you swap in the dodge 60 put some spacers in your rear so you have the same wms width front and rear. That is what you are after... and not what you have now!

But in all fairness, I should disclaim I swapped in a 14bolt with my front GM 60. And it looks a lot better. I had the 1970 open knuckle 44 with the HO52 and I have to say... It did look kind of goofy!

My 3/4 ton rear is 67.5 WMS to WMS and my Dodge 60 will be 67.5 WMS to WMS.

Matching exactly to the smallest denominator is not what I'm after as much as I am keeping it narrow. If the Dodge axle keeps me under the body further I would go that route. To give you an idea of my madness: a GM axle with 3.73 is available to me for $750 shipped. A Dodge axle will be $500-600, plus the cost of gears and install ($200 gears, $150 bearing kit, $350 install), and depending on what axle I get it may not run with 3.73 so I would also have to buy a front differential (of course thats an excuse to get a powerlock in the front like I have in the rear - or maybe the trac lock). So all in all I will probably have to spend $1200-1300 MORE on top of the axle just to stay narrow. Like I said its an illness!

[obijuan]

It is. And the only cure is currently unavailable. Only treatment is badass parts.

[BigSix]

Using Car-Part.com to find front 60's is kinda funny. Using craigslist or forums is people wanting infinity dollars. Car part is cheap but half them dont know where they stocked the parts. This will be an adventure.

[b454rat]

What axle are you looking for? Local yard here has two Dodge 60s, both singles, but dunno ratios yet. One has typical lockouts, the other is the older style with external flanges.

[argonaut]

Im pretty sure all 3/4 ton and 1 ton front axles are approx 69" wms-wms and the 1/2 tons are 67". Similarly the rears are all about 2" narrower than their matching front axle. So swapping the dana 60 into your 3/4 ton should look factory.

[BigSix]

I found a pair of 1992 Dodge Cummins axles. So I should be getting a 60 front that is 67.5 and a Dana 70 rear in the same width. Will post up once I measure them out. I guess the rear 60 I have is gonna get pulled.

[obijuan]

Beware of the dana 61 with 3.08 gears. Not difficult to work with but may sway your decision.

[72 Copper C-10]

Originally Posted by dieseldude4bt

The front is wider than the rear on chevys. I have an '84 dana 60 in mine and it looks normal people don't even notice that it's been converted.

That's a sweet truck! I believe I have seen it around town.

Originally Posted by b454rat

All GMs have the front track width wider than the rear. I swapped 3/4 tons in my old 62' burb, fit and looked fine.....

I have been told that they do that to increase turning radius.

[dieseldude4bt]

Originally Posted by 72 Copper C-10

That's a sweet truck! I believe I have seen it around town.

Yes I'm sure you have been on the western slope for 15+ years.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by argonaut

Im pretty sure all 3/4 ton and 1 ton front axles are approx 69" wms-wms and the 1/2 tons are 67". Similarly the rears are all about 2" narrower than their matching front axle. So swapping the dana 60 into your 3/4 ton should look factory.

I remember having this conversation with you Jason when I picked up my 14BFF with the discs. It couldn't have worked out more perfect though. The D60 rear that I had was a couple inches narrower than the 44 up front. The 14 bolt was a little wider. In the end, the rear is about 1/2" wider on each side. TBH, I really never noticed the difference in the first place but now my old eyes really can't see any difference! LOL. Sounds like the Dodge axles will work out just fine for you though. I always wondered about them. Post pics. Id really like to see how they go in!

[BigSix]

Will do. Before I swap in the Dodge front I would like to get a C30 steering box so I can do the crossover steering. Really don't mind the push pull steering I have but the crossover is less bumpy in the wheel! Also wouldn't mind doing the crossover along with high steer even though I don't go fourwheeling like that...just to get the tie rod up with the drag link.