Dana 60 Front end
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Dana 60 Front end
I am looking at putting a dana 60 front and in my 79 f250. I have heard all kind of terms like King pin, high pinion, closed knuckle, reverse gear, ect. ect. I am just looking for some info on the best one to drop in and if you have any pictures if you can show me what the heack I am looking for. I am just smart enough 
to know a d60 when I am looking at one but form there I would love some help.
Thanks All!
to know a d60 when I am looking at one but form there I would love some help.Thanks All!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
You want a 78/79 D60, they'll all be high pinion, reverse cut, king pin, open knuckle, disc brake axles.
They can be found in all '79 F350 4x4's and 78/79 F250 4x4's that were equipped with the "Sno-Fighter" package.
These 78/79 D60 axles are a direct bolt-in swap, later D60's will require major fabrication to fit your application.
Expect to pay anywhere from $800-$1,200 depending on condition and location.
They can be found in all '79 F350 4x4's and 78/79 F250 4x4's that were equipped with the "Sno-Fighter" package.
These 78/79 D60 axles are a direct bolt-in swap, later D60's will require major fabrication to fit your application.
Expect to pay anywhere from $800-$1,200 depending on condition and location.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury, PA
King pin knuckles will have 4 bolts in a square pattern holding a cap that sort of looks like a little top hat on top of the upper knuckle vs a ball joint that will have one big nut holding it on.
An open knuckle is a steering knuckle where you can see the U-joint axle. Closed knuckles you cannot see the ujoint. It looks like a closed ball and socket joint. These went by the wayside along with drum brakes on the front.
Reverse cut gears just mean they are cut in a mirror image vs standard gears. This allows the pinion on the later dana 60s to be a high pinion. High pinion means the center line of the pinion is above the center line of the axle/axle tubes which will keep it out of more danger off road.
An open knuckle is a steering knuckle where you can see the U-joint axle. Closed knuckles you cannot see the ujoint. It looks like a closed ball and socket joint. These went by the wayside along with drum brakes on the front.
Reverse cut gears just mean they are cut in a mirror image vs standard gears. This allows the pinion on the later dana 60s to be a high pinion. High pinion means the center line of the pinion is above the center line of the axle/axle tubes which will keep it out of more danger off road.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
I sold my D60 this past winter to generate some cash flow, i finally came to the realization that i "wanted" it more than i actually "needed" it, so it found a happy home. 
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,154
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Here is some reading for you to get D60 smart....
Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive
I have 2 front D60's axles and a set of slotted mags setting around, oh lucky me.....lol.
Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive
I have 2 front D60's axles and a set of slotted mags setting around, oh lucky me.....lol.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 129
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From: Atlanta, Georgia
Here is some reading for you to get D60 smart....
<a href="http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/%3Cacronym%20title=%22Page%20Ranking%22%3E%3Cacron ym%20title=" page="" ranking"="">PR-Kingpin/index.html" target="_blank">Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive
I have 2 front D60's axles and a set of slotted mags setting around, oh lucky me.....lol.
<a href="http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/%3Cacronym%20title=%22Page%20Ranking%22%3E%3Cacron ym%20title=" page="" ranking"="">PR-Kingpin/index.html" target="_blank">Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive
I have 2 front D60's axles and a set of slotted mags setting around, oh lucky me.....lol.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 685
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
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