Will a 96/97 Dana 60 fit in our trucks? 77 lowboy with lift kit. I am installing the lift kit soon and would like to do the swap at the same time, if this year will not fit what will?

 

78/79 direct bolt-in swap.

 

78/79 dana 60 comes with disk brakes,i found mine on craigs list 4:10 gears just like my rear axle,good luck

 

Google "Search tempest", it's the 'intelligent' way to search Craigslist.

 

No, it won't be a direct bolt in. The later ones spring pads a farther apart. People have done it, but it does require a lot of fabrication.

 

78/79 is direct bolt in, if you're referring to later year D60's, then yea, it's a fabrication nightmare not even worth the effort.

 

the later ones are 36.5" spring pad width and your truck is a 32"

 

The springs would have to be what's called outboarded like a rear setup on the outside of frame. Pretty much a frankentruck fabrication I would never do unless on a trail truck problem is the 78/79 axle of choice is expensive, around 8-1000$ and hard to find. Better off finding a complete truck like I did recently. Got it for $700, didn't run , new 4 barrel intake and carb and now it's a daily driver with a 78 d60 front !

 

Well if all else is the same i could move the spring perches but even that is too much and i have had to do it once before also i would have to cut them off my 44 or find a junk 44 housing. I don't really think i am going to have any trouble with my 44, this was just a plan to avoid problems running 39.5 tires as some think it won't last,well if it breaks i'll fix it! My OCD just wants to have the 60.

 

the spring perch is cast into the 60 housing, so moving them requires a retube

 

I hear ya, a 60 would be best if you're running 40" rubber, but in all honesty, if all you're doing is mall crawling/pavement pounding a 44 will hold up just fine.

60's are out there, you just gotta pay, pay big, 1K, give or take, use "search tempest" to search Craigslist, you'll find one close if you really want one.

 

Thanks for all the help everyone. The search is on

 

I bought mine for $850 with 4.10s from a friend. I currently don't have a use for it. but as stated, they go for a lot, so I'm holding on to this one for a project down the road.

 

Well if you ever change your plan and want to sell it get in touch. Thanks

 

make me a 14 bolt front, and we'll trade straight up