Front dana 60 hub machined down to fit 6 lug rim?

[mybluetoy]

Is it possible or do I have to buy a kit? I machined my 14 bolt hubs down and they are beautiful, rims fit and everything went nice and smooth. I was ready to do the front D60 hubs and measured the hubs to find that the drive flange bolts would be affected. I have a '79 dodge dana 60 front axle, what can be done besides purchasing a kit and using 8 lug rims? Is this at all possible, do chevy hubs work better for this or ford hubs?

 

[LCOwner]

Are you going to machine the 14 bolt to 6 lug? I didn't see that right off in your build thread. IMO the Dodge hubs are strong but they don't leave you many options for locking hubs and they seem to stick out more. If it were me I would look for a set of aftermarket 6 lug, internally splined hubs. I suspect you could sell the Dodge hubs and make some money back.

What's the difference between the od of the hub and the ID of the wheels? How much of the drive flange will need to be machined down. If you have to take mutch more than .125" of the OD I'd be worried.

 

[mybluetoy]

ID of wheel is 4.25 I forget the OD of the hub. Yes I already machined down the 14 bolt to fit, and the fit is nice with still room to machine down more if I needed to, but I don't. I'll get the OD of the hub later, I am away from the barn.

 

[mybluetoy]

I was told that I have an external drive hub and need an internal drive hub. Can those be turned down far enough? Can anyone confirm this? And then what is i that I will need, its just a matter of replaceing the spindle, hub, shaft?

 

[LCOwner]

I think the spindles are the same. Not for sure on the stub shaft. The thing about the Dodge style hub is if you want to run 35 spline stub shafts you will need to re-broach the drive flange and 35 sp hub locks...well good luck.

 

[69LC]

14 bolt hub on a 60

I stopped by the shop today and fitted a dually 14 bolt hub on John's 60 spindle.

The issues I saw were that the 14 bolt hub would need a spacer machined to use the 60 hub seal and a ~1/2" or so spacer would need to be added to the 60 drive flange to catch the hub. It would also have to be re-drilled from the dodge pattern to the GM. If he ever decides to upgrade to 35 spine stubs, he can get 35 spline side gears from a differential and make them into home-made flanges. I've seen it done for toyotas.

The 14 bolt dually hub also places the WMS 1/2" or so inboard, so a spacer would be needed to get whatever final spacing. Just plan for an ideal length of wheel studs.

I think this is totally doable. I say go for it.

John has the photos I took, and will probably add them later...right John?

 

[69LC]

Photos

Here are three of the best photos of the 14 bolt hub on the D60 spindle. Sorry the last one didn't turn out so well.

Maybe I can go back and get another one comparing the two hubs. I forgot that and was in a hurry.

Photo 1 is the 60 drive flange on the 14 bolt hub,

Photo 2 is the 14B hub on 60 spindle, drive flange sitting on top

Photo 3 is the cut off 14B spindle next to the 60 spindle

 

[mybluetoy]

You beat beat me to it. Have lots of work to do this week but plan on being out there sometime on Saturday. Thanks for posting the pics. Mike has someone who could machine the spacers for me, then I'll have a few extra made for spares. Will know more this weekend.

 

[Poser]

I was told that I have an external drive hub and need an internal drive hub.

This is true.

Can those be turned down far enough? Can anyone confirm this?

Yes they can; I did this for my Chevy Dana 60 back in 1999. Welded the holes up and turned the OD down for a 15" wheel to fit. Also made it so that I could bolt a 1/2 ton 4x4 Chevy rotor to the back of the wheel bearing hub.


You can now purchase six lug Chevy style Dana 60 wheel bearing hubs that are already set up for six lug.

 

[mybluetoy]

This is true.





Yes they can; I did this for my Chevy Dana 60 back in 1999. Welded the holes up and turned the OD down for a 15" wheel to fit. Also made it so that I could bolt a 1/2 ton 4x4 Chevy rotor to the back of the wheel bearing hub.


You can now purchase six lug Chevy style Dana 60 wheel bearing hubs that are already set up for six lug.

Poser, just to confirm. I can take a front chevy hub and turn the OD down to 4.22"? I have my hands on a set, and if this will work, I will be buying the hubs this weekend. If I had the $$ I would buy the after market, but I do access to a machine shop and all the right tools to turn it down, weld holes and re-drill for 6-lug. Reason behind the 6 lug is I have three sets of rims and tires that I can use depending on where and what type of wheeling I do, one set is mine the other sets are my brother's.

 

[Poser]

I do not remember the nominal OD off the top of my head.

I welded the holes up and turned the OD down to make a six lug Toyota wheel fit; been running these wheel bearing hubs since 1999 that way.

 

[mybluetoy]

First thanks for the response. My wheels are 15" and were on my FJ40 with Toyota axles, so I am thinking this should work then. I'll hopefully be doing this next week. I believe the ID on my rim is 4.25, so the hub would need to be < 4.25. I will post pics and info when I attempt this. Thanks again.

 

[Poser]

What did you figure out with this?

 

[mybluetoy]

Nothing yet, when I called to go and get the hubs, the guy never called back, I left a few messages and still nothing. I have been looking other places for hubs and will continue this project when another deal comes my way, hopefully one that I actually get the hubs. If someone else is doing this please post up pics and info. I'll be back.