79schaefer...that was I was hoping for. I looked at the backing plates and drums on the 61, and, with my "calibrated eyeball", I think they'll work. I also think this swap will only work with certain years of '61's and '60's....mid to late 70's? 1980's 61's and 60's went semi-float, if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm hoping to actually do the swapping in the next few weeks,and I'll report back on what I find.

 

There have always been semi-floating and full-floating versions. The Dana axles were phased out of the light trucks in the 80's. They continued to use them in the E-series vans, however. Both full and semi-floating. Parts should interchange between the 60 and 61. Just as long as you don't try to mix and match between big tube and small tube axles.

 

Orange county, CA.

^^ I hear ya with the 3.07 and 39's. I've got 3.07's and 35's. I can cruz the freeway at 70 all day long @ 2k rpm's.

 

Just finished up the swap yesterday. Everything's the same EXCEPT the actual center casting with the diff. and gears inside, and the axle tube length. The center casting on a 61 is actually 1.5 inches wider (to accommodate the larger '61 pinions) than a 60 from where the axle tube goes into the center casting each side. This makes the axle tube lengths .75 inches shorter on each side. Other than that, the measurements are the same between 2 axles...flange to flange, spring pads, axle tube diameter, rear u-joint yoke, sway bar and shock mounts. All the brake hardware (drums,bearings,seals,backing plates) swaps, as do the axle shafts. All in all, a pretty easy swap.

Took the truck out for a short blast afterwards, and everything seems to work OK, but havent had it on the hi-way yet to see how much the speedo is out with the new gearing.

Thanks all, for the help. Hope this info clears up some of the misinformation thats out there on the 'net