dana 60 question

[fyresq]

I have a buddy that has a '78 ford 3/4 ton that he wants to give to me for free. I was thinking about going 60 front/14 rear combo on my 40 with full width axles. I read in a 4wd mag that the 77-79 ford 3/4 ton axle has the driver side high pinion, reverse rotation axle and is the holy grail of housings. My buddy thinks the front still has drum brakes and I haven't seen it so my two questions are........ Is this axle the open knuckle design where you can see the joint and is it actually supposed to have front discs by '78???

 

[fj40charles]

I have a buddy that has a '78 ford 3/4 ton that he wants to give to me for free. I was thinking about going 60 front/14 rear combo on my 40 with full width axles. I read in a 4wd mag that the 77-79 ford 3/4 ton axle has the driver side high pinion, reverse rotation axle and is the holy grail of housings. My buddy thinks the front still has drum brakes and I haven't seen it so my two questions are........ Is this axle the open knuckle design where you can see the joint and is it actually supposed to have front discs by '78???

77-79 Ford HP Dana 60 will be an open knuckle design. Yes, it is driver side pumpkin and is reverse rotation. If you want to move the pumpkin to a passeger side, it will be lots of work and $$$$.

 

[fyresq]

What are the disadvantages of having the diff on the driver's side and what t-case options do I have???

 

[fj40charles]

What are the disadvantages of having the diff on the driver's side and what t-case options do I have???

Really none that I can think of.. Need to find a drivers side drop transfer case. You could buy an Atlas or Stak, flip a D300, or or some other tcase that is drivers side drop. It could get real tight in there with a saginaw steering box.

Just need to make sure you'll have clearance by your leg for the tcase shifter(s).

Are you planning on running full width? It will be 69" wide WMS to WMS for the front axle. This is pretty wide.

I think Dan Gable ran a HP D60 with a driver side drop on his FJ40. Might want to ask him for pics... I can't remember his Pirate4x4 userid at this time...

 

[fj40charles]

Some more potential issues/concerns.. (kingpin knuckles).

Ford HP D60 will have some huge a$$ brake calipers. 15" rims will not work.
Ford HP D60 knuckles are weaker than a GM/Dodge D60 knuckles. In order to run the GM/Dodge knuckles, you'll need to swap out the spindle and bearing hubs. Bearing hubs will cost $185.00 per side.

If you really want to run a HP Dana 60, you might try to find just the center section and have it custom built with new tubes, aftermarket inner C and Kingpin Knuckles. This won't be a cheap option, but it will allow you to get the width you want and you'll won't have to worry about breaking your knuckles.

Post up your location.

 

[FRIZZLEFRY]

An F250 would have a high pinion Dana 44 wouldnt it?

Chris

 

[woody]

An F250 would have a high pinion Dana 44 wouldnt it?

Chris

only the later models....that vintage will be the D60....

 

[FRIZZLEFRY]

Then a free high pinion Dana 60 would be a sweet score.Those things go for $$$$

 

[HillbillyFab]

all original 78-79 F250s will have the HP44, disc brake, 8 lug, driver's side drop, UNLESS the truck was equipped with the "snowfighter" package. If it's equipped with such package it'll be a HP60 front, driver's side drop.
The easiest way to determine what it is, look for balljoints or kingpins. Balljoints=44, kingpins=60

I've put many a 15" wheel on the HP44 frontends. The problem is with the dual piston calipers. Some grind the calipers down, some swap out the ford stuff for GM. I've always ran 2.5" backspace wheels, no interference problems with this.

 

[fyresq]

Well......either way it's worth it for FREE I will probably snag a chevy D60 for the passenger side diff anyway so may soon have a 44 or 60 driver side high pinion for sale, He told me he had the c6 in it rebuilt less than a couple thousand miles before he rocketed the motor. More money for the cruiser. I hear those TJ heep guys want those driver side diffs.........thanx for the help guys

 

[HillbillyFab]

another item to remeber is the spring perch spacing on all the F250 and F350 leaf sprung axles, is within a half inch of the stock spacing on a YJ. This is a big plus for the YJ guys. They can bolt said axle directly in place with out moving spring perches or leaf sping mounts. Just another avenue to look at should you chose to not use that axle and sell it.

hillbilly