Converting to 4wd part 2

[Zukinut]

So I've been doing more research.

The 78-79 Dana 60 is a grand or more. A 85-91 is 5-600. Difference is spring perch to spring perch width. The 78-79 is 31.5" and the later axle is 36.5. Any reason why you couldnt outboard the springs and run the later axle. Building mounts wouldn't be that hard. I'm already gonna have to make steering mounts and such.

Any thoughts?

Will

[Doug Comer]

Is the yoke going to be in the right place for the driveline to line up properly? Average250 know alot about the later dana 60s. I know I'm running the 78-79 and it was a very easy swap.

[averagef250]

Is that my que Doug?

IMO, it's easier to re-tube a 86-97 60 to 78-79 width than it is to offset the spring hangers. The front is cake, nothing to it- Just make a wider crossmember with spring mounts. I made mine from 3x4 .375 angle and it looked great, even drilled the hole in the middle like the factory ones had. The rear shackle mounts are the fun part.

The inner shackle ends up just inside the outside of the frame rail. If you fab up some funky offset shackles you have funky offset shackles and can write off your truck for using it as a truck. If you offset the shackle mount you have to slot the lower lip of the frame rail for the inner shackle to pass through. I ran a '92 balljoint 60 under my '70 for many miles.

If you can find a decent 78-79 60 front under a grand anywhere in this country you're doing good. Buy it for that price and make your life easier.

If you have a minimum 40 ton press, carbon arc gouge and can measure angles properly then retube a later 60 front. I have an extra set of 78-79 axles if you need some.

[Doug Comer]

Thanks Dustin