DANA 60 UPGRADE
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 70
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From: Red Feather Lakes Colo.
DANA 60 UPGRADE
The Dana 60 in my 1962 F250 4x4 is too old for any lockers or limited slips due to the spline count. So what should I look for in a later year Dana 60 for a bolt in swap?.....Bob
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 176
From: Central Texas
Whatever you find now that is "bolt in", is going to be problematic. Finding one better than yours may be fruitless. Good luck.
If you have a welder, grinder, gumption, and a little skill to go with that, get a later model Dana 60. It requires you to move spring perches in along with shock mounts to match your frame rail width, all while maintaining pinion angle. Very doable. I have one from an '81 in my '65 and it's great. Those were used forever and parts are easy to get.
If you have a welder, grinder, gumption, and a little skill to go with that, get a later model Dana 60. It requires you to move spring perches in along with shock mounts to match your frame rail width, all while maintaining pinion angle. Very doable. I have one from an '81 in my '65 and it's great. Those were used forever and parts are easy to get.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 70
Likes: 6
From: Red Feather Lakes Colo.
According to others including Numbers Dummy bolt in versions are out there, I just don't know which years. 73-77 f250 are supposedly the same as 61-72. And then 73-77 f100 4x4 Dana 60s bolt in . I'm just looking for further confirmation. Right now the truck is waist high in snow but I know I need to crawl under and measure brake backing plate and spring pad width. Just trying to get a jump on things to minimize wild goose chases...Bob
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Burbank, WA
Axle and spring perch width are the same up through 72 and will bolt in. In 73, the frames got wider (4") to make room for inboard gas tanks which set the spring perches out farther. I believe the axles themselves are an inch or two wider, as well. The newer axles can be used but will require cutting and welding of the spring pads to fit. No need to go laying in the snow for this. 
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 176
From: Central Texas
Axle and spring perch width are the same up through 72 and will bolt in. In 73, the frames got wider (4") to make room for inboard gas tanks which set the spring perches out farther. I believe the axles themselves are an inch or two wider, as well. The newer axles can be used but will require cutting and welding of the spring pads to fit. No need to go laying in the snow for this.
What it does best.
Easily 500lbs of steel leftover in it from shop build
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 70
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From: Red Feather Lakes Colo.
So with the info so far, I have a line on a 67 f250 CS Dana 60, and it should bolt in, right?....Bob
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Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Seattle
I think it will bolt in fine, but you'll have to figure out what to use for rear brake cables. I doubt the 1962 cables will work with the 1967 backing plates, etc. Might get lucky.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 316
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From: Eastern Kansas
Food for thought. I reused my 1961 e brake cables on my 89 Dana 61... They work just fine. Don't fit perfectly some bends are tighter than I like.
Cargo Master
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From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
BarnieTrk
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