Finally got a chance to look over the D60 I picked up a couple a weeks ago. When I was first looking at it the brake pads were rusted to the hubs so I locked one of the hubs and could not turn the drive shaft by hand so I thought every thing was ok. I just took the calipers and pads off both sides and when I lock the hubs and turn the drive shaft the rotors will spin but I will be able to stop them from spinning by hand. What the heck up with that? I know the hubs are good because if I lock the hubs I wont be able to turn the u joints that are between the ball joints if I hold the rotors. As soon as my toes thaw out I am going to go back out to the garage and pull the diff cover off. Please advise.

Thanks

 

Are you holding one rotor or both. If you can hold both rotors and turn the driveline something is hosed.

 

they are open diffs, perfectly normal to have one hold still and the other spin. buy a detroit locker and try it......

 

yup just an open diff......my Dads '02 blew the drivers hub and lost 4wd all together....power will go to the path of least resistance.Have someone hold the other rotor or throw a long screwdriver in the ujoint to hold it.....I would tear it down either way and go through it since you do not know the history.

 

Was holding one. While holding both and turning the driveshaft both will try to turn.

Thanks. Really freaked out thinking I got a busted up axle.

 

scatgo: What's your final plan on putting that D60 under your truck. Are you going to stay with the coils, or weld up the front of the frame to put it on the springs?

 

Was going to go with leaf springs, box the frame and do the reverse shackle mod. Any opinions on staying with the coils?

 

you will get a much better ride with coils IMO.....I think it would be an easier swap also since they are already there

 

I looks to me like the only real problem I am going to have is finding one part. It is called a leaf spring cap. It goes under the drivers side of the axle and the U bolts from the leaf springs go down to it. A few of the junkyards I went to didn't even take the time to look into it for me. Just said no don't have it. The last time I was at the stealership I got into a shouting match with the two nasty ****** behind the counter so I don't think I will be going back there. So If you or anyone else has one you are willing to part with please let me know.

Thanks

 

iI think I know what you are talking about......can you fab one up......since mine is 2wd...are the 4wd sprung under or over???

 

The springs are over the axle. I am sure I can fab one up but it wont be easy. The leaf spring perch is cast into the side of the differential and one of the reinforcement webs is directly under the perch and it comes up on a angle. Its the web that will make it a pita.

 

That piece is no longer available new from what I understand. HARD TO FIND!!

Just some food for thought on coils versus springs. I don't think keeping coils will be easier just for the fact that a axle is set up for leafs and not coils. Also you have to figure out some sort of radius arm for the coils as well. Ride height will be an issue too cause the 2wd coils will be too short I think.

 

Definitely a hard part to find. When i was sourcing parts for my 60, (that still sits under a tarp) for my 96, i was lead to understand that they were obsolete, and unobtainable from Ford.

Powerstrokeshop.com found me a new old stock one from a wrecker in Missouri, and drop shipped it from there. I still have it, nice and new still with the Ford part sticker on it, and often wonder if it would be worthwhile to get a bunch of them cast somewhere, and start selling them. But then if it was worth it, someone else would have done it by now.

I picked up a 1990 F350 crew gasser at an auction just for the dana 60 a year and a half back, for $800, plan on putting it in my 95. Turns out it had two full tanks of fuel, new rad, alternator, brakes, drums, rotors, decent bfg all terrains, and about nothing else, except scrap. But it still runs, and i use it as a yard buggy around the 1200 acres behind the house. Best deal i got on any vehicle ever i think. lol

Anyway, hope you find a "cap"

 

this may not work.....but it may also.....on my toyota I put another perch on the bottom of the axle....then used standard ubolts.....you can kinda see what I am talking about in this pic....the perch holds the ubolt on the radius of the diff

 

Timberjack. Do you think you can send me some pictures of the part?