Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

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Well, I finally finished up the Eaton HO52 / Dana 60 rear end swap. The Dana was a coil spring rear end so that made the swap pretty easy. I had a few delays but it worked out good. I didn't have to cut my drive shaft. There are two different length rear shaft sections. The Eaton was 35 inches long and I had 4 or 5 different shafts I had saved and one of them had a rear section that was 33 inches long, it fit perfect. The front section of the original shaft used the small "U" joint at the carrier bearing and the front of the 33 inch rear shaft used the large "U" joint. All I had to do was purchase a Precision Brand #348 Combination "U" joint, and everything fit right together. It made a world of difference in the driveability of the truck. Now I can hear the radio over the engine.....:)

Part number list is in post below

All of the pictures are of the Eaton rear end as I was taking it out.

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Thanks for the post! We need to see more of these simple swaps that involve little or very little modifying. Or we could wait and wait and wait till the aftermarket decides to manufacture a HO 52 3.54 ring and pinion set for '48 thur '72 Chevy C 20's. Those 16.5's with correct era caps look great!

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

That should be a great upgrade for drivability.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Thanks. I don't look for anyone to make a gear set for the Eaton any time soon. Someone would have to make brake drums also....:(

I need to get some stock type lug nuts before I can put the rear caps on. The ones I have on there are too long.

Thanks Eric. I drove it to town and back this morning and it ran really good.

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

You're a half a turn ahead now. Let it roll! :cool:

I wish someone would make ring and gear sets for HO52s while there are still so many out there. It's such a great rear. Brakes are no problem as long as there are 14-bolts all over the place. A simple swap. Someone (Patrick's) made gear sets for the HO32/33s way back in the '80s to help the '50s 1/2 tons run hiway speeds. As it is our choice is rear end swapping. That's why I keep a collection of rears.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Great job Leon! Was the HO52 a 4.57 open rear

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Believe me Tim, It's rollin'. I've been lookin' forward to driving it for quite a while...:)

Not sure at this time Dave. I couldn't find any numbers on it and I haven't removed the cover yet.

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

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Here are the different part numbers for the Dana 60 coil spring rear end.

Brake Shoes = Bosch BS419R

Hardware Kit = Raybestos H7128

Wheel Cylinders =
CENTRIC 13462015
Rear Right; Rear Leaf springs

CENTRIC 13462016
Rear Left; Rear Leaf springs

Yes, I know they say for Leaf Springs but they fit the coil rear end and were exactly the same as the ones I took off....


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I ordered these wheel cylinders on the first try and they were the wrong ones.

CENTRIC 13466009
CENTRIC 13466010

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

...Thanks again for including the part numbers here.
('interesting' that the wheel cylinders that didn't fit, are listed for coil spring)

Did you by any chance replace the wheel seals? (I ordered Timken 455860 from RockAuto, hoping they are the right ones.)


Thanks again,

Kevin

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Nice swap. The D60 coil rear ends are probably a little more rare aren't they? Most were in leaf spring trucks from what I've seen because they were camper special big block trucks. I've seen pics of coil spring 6 lug D60s in these but never found one in the wild yet.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

I'm relatively new on these trucks and learning as I go along, and it seems odd, the Dana60 rear doesn't show on the SPID?
My truck came from the factory as Cab & Chassis, with Utility body installed (most likely from day one) with it's original 396, NP435 4-speed and a Dana60 Coil spring rear. Along with Special paint, I guess I was lucky to find it : )
https://imageevent.com/hvclassics/au...=1&n=1&l=0&z=9

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

The Dana 60 was not necessarily an optional rear axle. On my truck it did have a powerloc (G87 option code) so that option shows on the spid, but otherwise the Dana 60 was a standard axle for the truck in my case ('72 C20 402/400), thus standard axle was Dana 60 with coils. If it would have been a GMC I believe same would apply, but standard would have been leaf spring rear with the Dana. Someone else might be able to comment on the small block trucks, but this was research I did with regard to my truck, and aside from the G87 option, Dana 60 was standard for it, thus does not appear on the spid.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

From the research I did a while ago, big block trucks got the D60. I'm guessing that was because the Eaton's did not have a 3.54 gear ratio available.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

No, I didn't replace the seals. There was no sign of leakage so I just left well enough alone. I got all of the parts from Rock Auto.

Yes, the Dana 60 coil spring rears are hard to find.

I'm not sure what the reasoning was but I'm glad I found one....:)

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Centric 123.66024 is the correct drum for the Eaton HO52. Multiple vendors list them as in stock.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

I honestly can't tell you. It has been posted on here that some people had trouble finding them. That's what I was going by.

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

If we assume that only the Eaton HO52, and Dana 60 was on those trucks (C20), that is likely true. Centric and Rock auto list two drums 123.68001 appears to be for the Dana 60 (12 inch dia), and 123.66024 shows 11.2 diameter. If in doubt check diameter of your drums. I made the mistake of ordering a set of shoes from Rock Auto for "coil spring" rear axle, and appears I have a set of Delco shoes for the H052, and cannot use them. Probably also why the brake hose going to the rear axle also would not fit, but I "engineered" an adaptor fitting and am using it anyhow. Hope this helps, but I would go by drum diameter and cross reference the part as necessary. It would seem just going by coil or leaf springs is not a good indicator as they apparently built coil and leaf spring axles in both Eaton H052 and Dana 60, and they are significantly different. I am learning as I go but it is expensive. Need a set of AC Delco shoes for the H052??

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Good info, ...my truck (68 C20) is an original BB (396) so Dana60 rear, and that matches what you note. Thanks ;)

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

I believe the odd ball bigger drums came out on '72 only 3/4 tons. There is the possibililty that '68-'71 drums are one part # and the '72 drum is the other another part #. In '73 GM abandoned both axles for their own inhouse corporate axles.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Just received Napa UP UP419R Brake shoes yesterday, and as someone else posted both front and rear shoes (have not figured out which are supposed to be rear facing) are the same length. They are correct for the 12 inch drum and 2.5 inch width, but I have never seen this. Normally the rear shoe lining is longer. Not so here. These are riveted relined, labeled "made in china". I am done testing, and these will go on the truck, as this truck will not see heavy use or high miles, but am disappointed, as they have far less lining than what came off. I will try to get a photo of old and new when I attempt to figure out which is which -- the linings are not centered on the metal that the lining is riveted to, which leads me to believe it does matter on placement. Perhaps FLT FT419R (fleet) would have been correct???

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

short shoe forward

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

agree, but what in my case where both are same length?

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

I don't know, It's hard to tell by the pictures.

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

It looks like one shoe has the lining closer to the top and one shoe has the lining closer to the bottom on each side.....

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

That is correct. Any idea which I should place to rear? As I said, this is my first experience seeing both same length.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

The shoe with the lining farthest from the top would go on the front.

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

I agree, the bare lining table at the top should be forward..

interesting that the lower end of the rear shoe lining table is also bare..

probably cost savings, only manufacture one lining, just oriented for F or R shoe..

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/jl3vytc9jpg...02416.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/kl8q7e5bfml...02500.jpg?dl=0

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

good job on that axle swap Doc!

I scored a D60 4:10 LS leaf sprung for my k20 burb, then later scored a 4:10 locker third for the 4:10 eaton in it..

red longhorn has a factory locker so thinkin I might haul that D60 home for the ochre longhorn..

swap my leftover 4:10 eaton gears into the red longhorn and everything will be just right for my uses :)

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

I bought the same NAPA shoes a couple of years ago and found the same problem. At the time, i checked the other retail part stores and found the same shoes. They all had part numbers that were a variation of Napa's 419 part number.

This thread from last year talks about the same shoes.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ighlight=shoes

The shoes seem to work OK when driving. Having disc brakes on the front may be a factor on that.
I did find that when parked, nose up on a hill the e-brake had to be applied extra hard to keep it from rolling back. You don't always have curb to turn the wheel against.
I think it sucks that they can't give you the correct lining length for the rear shoe.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Thanks.

That sounds like a lot of swappin' to me. I was glad to get the one done.... :)

I needed the 3.54 to make it easier to drive on the highway. I do very little work with it. Heck, I do very little work anyway... :(

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

I did a coil spring Dana 60 swap last year for a friend. What did you do for the track bar? I think that the bracket at the frame is different. Stock track bar from the Eaton was a different length and the angle at the bracket on the frame was more than the one for the Eaton. I shortened his and am looking for the correct bracket. When I got the rear end, I got the rear part of the driveshaft and the track bar but didn’t think to get the bracket. Glad to see someone else has done this also. My friend really likes the 3:54 versus the mid 4: ratio that the Eaton had. I think you’ll like it too.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

That may be more a function of cable slack than shoe surface length. Agree, I wish they still manufactured correct length linings too. I bought some shoes for a 71 D60 4.10 about 10 years ago and they were correct, or at least as best I can recall - the rear shoe was indeed much longer than the front shoe.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

I heated the Dana 60 bar right in the middle and bent it over so it lined up with the frame bracket, jacked the frame over about 3/8 inch toward the passengers side and put the bolt in. Lined up on the first try and the bolt slid right in.

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

This may help…

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=Brake+shoe

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Any idea what the D60 came out of? I've been thinking about swapping out my leafs for coils and debating whether or not to grab a coil sprung D60 vs having new perches welded onto my existing rear end.
The reason I ask about the donor, is that I do not know if there is a difference in the brake package between a C20 Suburban Dana 60, a C20 Truck coil-sprung D60, and a C20 leaf-sprung D60. It sounds like your new rear has the 12x2.5" brakes that G70 trucks have.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Not 100% sure. I think I picked it up over at the salvage yard. They are kind of hard to find.

LockDoc

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

If you are looking for a Dana 60 you might look under the Dodge trucks. My GMC 2500 came with the 292 six and a Dana 60 with 4.56 gears. I ran across a Dodge D200 with 3.54 gears and a posi carrier in a wrecking yard for $50. The Dodge Dana is the same except for different yoke splines and they use the smaller "U" joints. A 4 wheel shop had a yoke with dodge splines, but for the larger "U" joint.

3.54 gears, even with a six, made a bigger, single difference than most everything else I have done to the truck, except maybe the AC.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

I talked with a guy from VintageChevyTrucks and he did say that C20s with coils are uncommon and that C20 suburbans would be the best bet.

I currently have a Dana with 4.10s and, yes, even with my 4L80 I'm going to switch to 3.54s.

Maybe I'll make a post in the suburban section and see if anyone knows if their Dana has 12x2.5" brakes.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

The Dana 60 with 3:54 came in the big block trucks. Small block got the 4:10s. I purchased a C20 at an estate auction which had sat for a very long time, but only had 62,000 miles when parked. It had tires put on just before being parked in favor of a new truck, and date code on Montgomery Wards (remember those?) tires are early 80s, so the truck was about 10 years old when parked. It has factory big block, TH400 and Dana 60 powerloc with the 3:54 ratio. When I purchased it had a camper shell, set up to tow, and propane conversion on top of the q-jet. Camper, propane was first to go, and initial plan was to put 1/2 ton suspension on it. Engine and drive train seem all good, so it is getting some much needed restoration work, and paint, and remaining a 3/4 ton after some research. I'll see how it rides/drives, but for sure getting some "P" rated 16 inch tires to soften it up a little since I have no plans on heavy hauling or towing, and I know how the C/D/E load tires ride on the roads around here.

Re: Dana 60 3.54 in the '68 Chevy C20
 

Dad said the 3.54 gear would swell the converter up to the point of killing the thrust surface in the 454 in old blue.
True ? I don't know.
But probably pulling this up the grapevine at 55 in 2nd had more to do with it.