So awhile back Kemicalburns was talking about a new conversion kit coming out for Dana 60's to convert to coilover springs instead of leaves...He said it was from Cage but i cant find any info on a Cage company that deals in anything like that, does anyone know what he was talking about? I PMed him but no responce and its been almost a week.
Anyone know of any other kits (or have instructions) on how to convert a D60 to coilovers to fit my F150?

 

my 60 is sitting under my bronco on coils! it was pretty easy. bought a set of wedges from BGY as well as the c-bushings. i used the radius arm system found on old fords that can be found everywhere (at least here). cheap and easy and extra parts are pretty easy to come by!

i have pics of the setup in picasa (look in sig)

BTW... this is what he is talking about, http://www.cageoffroad.com/solidaxleswap.asp

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These brackets (one shown but the kit comes as a pair) can be used with our radius arms to facilitate swapping an axle that is not equipped with "C" bushing mounts. Works equally well in front or rear applications. Perfectly suited for Dana 60 swaps or other solid axles.

Flat top allows for mounting of 66-79 type Ford 4x4 coils, 80-96 TTB coils, coil over type shock or even air shocks. Simple drill the necessary hole or add the necessary mount to suit your needs.

Holes shown in the brackets are for inserting polyurethane bushings (included in the radius arm kits). These bushings provide for greater axle articulation through the dissipation of axle torsional twist over a broad surface area.

1/4" laser cut side plates are designed to provide for a 7 degree angled mount (similar to a 66-79 Ford) which helps clear large tires during turning yet still bolts right up to our radius arms.

1.5" wide to bolt to CAGE radius arms and to facilitate easily welding to short side axle tubes such as those found on many Dana 60 front axles.

Inside arc (axle tube location) is set so that the brackets fit snug on the axle tube for easy installation and castor setting.

Components are available as a pair if you already have our radius arms or as a complete kit with our radius arms if you are purchasing them altogether.

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-cutts-

 

4 link it.....

 

Then run rockies. Finished that for ya quad.


Cheeto

 

of course....how did i not write that....?

 

I would love to 4 link with rockies....just dont have the knowledge or skill. Even with 60's I would be happy. check out http://fourwheelbronco.com They have a lot of info for SAS swap.

 

Great, now i just need to find a D60 that wont hurt my wallet like a swift kick to the crotch...
Im thinking of just going to an auction somewhere and picking up an F350 that was T boned or rolled or something, that way i get entire drivetrains and spare body panels.
I just dont know of any auctions in my area haha

One more question,
once front D60 is converted to springs, what lift would i get that would match both front and rear axles? If i get an F150 one can i just not use the D44 TTB stuff and still use the springs/shocks? and will the rear springs which would be designed for the stock 8.8" fit fit a Sterling 10.25 ?
Or would i need an F2/350 lift springs in the rear (to fit the Sterling)and then have to piece together the front myself with rancho springs/shocks? id rather get it all in one place but i'l do what i gotta do.

 

You have been all over the place on this. You first asked about "Coilovers" and now you are refering to just converting a D60 to just "Springs". Many different designs and styles of springs.
If you utilize a coilover like your original post suggests, you will need a coilover in the length required based on mounting points, and travel. The actual working travel of the axle.
If you use a coil spring, the same is true, only this setup will be similar to a regular truck from that era, and any amount of lift should be typical. I.E. an 8" kit for a similar truck would net approx the same for your ride, provided the buckets are mounted in a similar location.
The same appiles for leaf springs, provided that the mounting points are equal to a similar truck. This will change slightly because od axle tube diameters, and frame differences, but they can be easily estimated.

As far as the rear axle goes, a spring does not know the difference between a toyota axle or a rockwell. It simply has to have a perch to land on, and the proper hardware to attach it.
You are only dealing with two widths of springs, the 2.5" and the 3" wide springs. Whichever spring you have, you just need to make sure that the spring perch is the same width, and the u-bolts and retaining plate match, and will bolt everything up in a safe manner.
The same is true far calculating lift heigths. You will also have to take into consideration that because the axle tube is lightly larger, a specified lift might net a slightly higher lift.
Easy really, you can buy an off-the shelf lift from a similar style pick-up that uses the style of springs you wish to use, you just have to determine specifically what you intend to use, and whether or not you are going to fab your own spring mounts, or use factory ones that you bolt on.
Individual pieces, for any options you decide are available, you just have to have a specific plan.

 

Thanks for all the help yall, that makes me feel better that i can put a D60 in front alot easier than i thought. I was about to launch into a Dana 44 straight / Ford 9" swaps which would be much easier, but am worried about how the D44 straight will hold up.
If i can find a D60 (or whole donor truck bein sold by someone who doesnt know the value of a D60) then i will go with a 60 front 10.25 rear,
but unfortunantly, if i cant find that in a month or so im going to have to resort to the 44/9" swap.
So i might as well ask what you guys think of a D44 straight running 36x14.5 groundhawgs in mud, snow and trails?
Im just afraid it will cost me more in shafts then it would to shell out for a D60

 

I say keep looking for the D60. After breaking stock D44 shafts on my 78 and 79, I bought some chromoly shafts (not installed yet). I have the leafspring D60 under the 84 Bronco and it was supeer-easy to fab the front crossmember and install the hangers. JSM84

 

Can you elaborate on how you installed the leaf spring D60 in your truck?

 

Look in my thread on the D60 swap:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...-underway.html