Axle swap
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New User
Joined: Aug 2006
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Axle swap
Hay all! This might be a question for another group but here goes...I'd like to swap an '89 F-350 Dana 60 into my '79 F250 4x4 frame, will that work? Is the 89 axle 32" and a low pinion? is that all I need to know? What other questions should I be asking? either here or to the seller?
Next question: I have a Dana 44 frntend in the '79. If I can swap the D-60 into it I'd like to swap the '79 D-44 to my '69 F250 4x4? The 32" is ok but the '69 has a low pinion and the '79 a hi. Will this be a problem with the divorced transmission's fwd drive shaft? If so what can I do to remedy this?
So to summerize...replace '79 D-44 with an '89 D-60. Replace '69 D-44 with the '79 D-44. Can these be done? Thanks everyone! Walt
Next question: I have a Dana 44 frntend in the '79. If I can swap the D-60 into it I'd like to swap the '79 D-44 to my '69 F250 4x4? The 32" is ok but the '69 has a low pinion and the '79 a hi. Will this be a problem with the divorced transmission's fwd drive shaft? If so what can I do to remedy this?
So to summerize...replace '79 D-44 with an '89 D-60. Replace '69 D-44 with the '79 D-44. Can these be done? Thanks everyone! Walt
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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You will have drive shaft issues if you put the low pinion in the 79 with a high pinion. I tried this in my mud truck but would not recomend it because you will have to put degree shims under the springs to get the drive shaft angle right. Doing this will make the truck have a shimmy in it when you drive it down the road. Mine did.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Quesnel, BC, Canada
its a high pinion D60...not low. The only difference between the one youre talking about and the one in my truck is mine has balljoint, not kingpins. All ford D60s are HP. You have a HP D44 in there right now, and a HP D60 will fit, you need to cut the spring pads off the 60 and put them on to the proper spacing. Make sure you mark reference points from the center of the diff to measure from before you cut off the pads. I know there is a difference in pinion lengths between the 44/50/ and D60s within 2", cant remember which way it goes tho. You should get the driveshaft off the F350 too if yours doesnt have a CV type double u-joint off the T-case up front.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 181
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From: lower Michigan
I do not think the 89 dana 60 will work in the 79 truck. The 89 has a wider frame and the dana 60 has the driver side perch cast into the diff. so it cannot be moved. The 79 has a narrower frame and the driver spring would sit in the middle of the diff.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 504
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From: west central florida
Originally Posted by pud
its a high pinion D60...not low. The only difference between the one youre talking about and the one in my truck is mine has balljoint, not kingpins. All ford D60s are HP. You have a HP D44 in there right now, and a HP D60 will fit, you need to cut the spring pads off the 60 and put them on to the proper spacing. Make sure you mark reference points from the center of the diff to measure from before you cut off the pads. I know there is a difference in pinion lengths between the 44/50/ and D60s within 2", cant remember which way it goes tho. You should get the driveshaft off the F350 too if yours doesnt have a CV type double u-joint off the T-case up front.
