Hey all, I'm about to undertake a dana 60 swap on my 97 F250 and am doing the Reverse Shackle Kit from PMF while I am at it. I was able to get a Dana 60 with everything included except the leaf springs since you use superduty springs with this kit. Do I need to buy an adjustable track bar or is the one from the donor truck going to work? What about the track bar bracket?
I am doing the 2.5 lift option, which should only level it.

 

The SD spring code you choose will affect your ride height, U being the least amount of lift, V adding an inch or so, and X another inch or so. What are you using?

You are correct, the stock leaf springs are not needed but did you get the U bolt bracket that goes under the axle on the driver's side? This is a must have.

If you didn't collect the D60 plates that sit under the U bolts that the shocks attach to, you can reuse the ones from your D50 but you will need to cut one tab off. This will make sense as you reassemble.

Also, did you collect the F350 pitman arm? It is needed too.



Oh, about your question....Many here report success with the stock pitman arm, track bar and bracket.

My experience was different for a lot of self-induced reasons. But I do suggest you having an adjustable track bar in your budget.

Good luck and keep us updated!

 

There is also a "D" code front spring used in the Excursions, rated 100 pounds less per spring than the "U" codes. That is what I am running with a Sky 3" RSK. They provide a great ride, too. I am not sure how much lower they ride than the "U" code springs.

Rusty

 

I honestly don't know which springs I have. I sourced them from a wrecked 2003 F-350 powerstroke, got them really cheap. I bought a drop pitman arm that should work I believe (I hope.) And I do have the brackets that go under the axle. It sounds like the factory track bar should work then? I will probably hold off on the adjustable one for now. I can always add it later I guess.

 

I use an adjustable track bar a Stock track bar mount and Stock pitman arm with the 2 PMFs 2.25" RSK and U and V code springs with Zero bump steer

 

The passenger side is welded on. The driver side looks like this:

 

For ved0303's sake, are you using all stock track bar? Track bar bracket? Pitman arm? Any bump steer issues?

 

another question for Rusty too, I looked at the Sky RSK and it says it uses factory springs, not superduty springs. Is there an option somewhere for one that runs superduty springs?

 

I am running an F350 pitman arm, adjustable track bar and stock track bar bracket. No noticeable bump steer, just the occasional tie rod/drag link clunk and vagueness turning. All of my steering was brand new when I did the swap, probably 30,000 miles on them so far.

I am going to try out a drop pitman arm and track bar bracket from PMF and see if that improves anything.

Rusty

 

I did the swap before there was a SD spring RSK that bolts in. I had to measure and drill my own holes. If I had the cash, I would swap to the PMF RSK Kit all the way.

Rusty

 

The PMF is for SD springs only.

The front half of the leaf spring length (from the axle to the front eye) is longer on a SD spring than the OBS spring. A RSK needs to be designed for one spring or the other.

Here's a side shot of the OBS spring (still attached to the axle and at the rear) and the PMF RSK with its SD spring mounting hole. The SD spring is about 4" longer in the front. The open hole that looks like a bolt was recently removed from is the front spring shackle mounting hole.

 

It looked as though the Sky kit was cheaper than PMF but it was the one that uses OBS springs. Sky's kit that uses superduty springs is actually a lot more expensive than the one from PMF. I just ordered the PMF kit and their drop track bar bracket. I'll make sure to update how it turns out.

 

I'd suggest you get the adjustable track bar and see how much track bar drop you really need after the swap. Who much drop did you order?

I have a 3" plate I cam let you borrow to see if is what you need. I used a 3" drop pitman arm to minimize the the tie rod roll feel and eventually a 2.5" drop bracket and now have zero bump steer. But, I often over think things.

Unless you get your ride height near exact to the factory set up, an adjustable track bar is almost a guaranteed need.

 

Well while cleaning the axle up to repaint it, I noticed the track bar bracket was cracked. Repairable, but it was enough for me to settle on a new drop bracket. I ordered the 2.5 RSK kit and a 2.5 drop bracket so hopefully it will work. If not, I will have to buy the adjustable rod but if it works, great.