How much lift needed to run Dana 60?

[bosshoff]

I am toying with the idea of putting a Dana 60 from a 1978 F-350 into my 1973 Bronco. I know where I may be able to get one or possibly two of these axels. The owner of them understands what they are worth, but has been sitting on them for a while. Back to my question, what size lift is required to run a Dana 60? Can you run a Dana 60 with stock height springs? At present I have 32's, 4:10 gears, chopped fenders, and stock height springs. I don't feel I need to go bigger, yet.
I am looking at my dana 44 with drums and original axels, and thinking I am going to end up dumping at least a grand into this for Disk brakes, and chrome moly axels. Is it a better idea just to go to an indestructable Dana 60 instead? The Dana 60 already has the disk brakes, and is plenty strong. I also can use the Dana 44 for my other build to replace the existing Dana 30.

 

[Steve]

Several things come to mind reading your post. First, I assume you're talking about a D60 front, correct? Will it fit with stock springs? Nope, no way. It won't fit with the stock front frame crossmember either. It's also a lot wider than an EB axle, so unless you're going with a full width rear axle of some kind there will be a huge difference between the front and rear width. Can you run 32" tires on a D60? Yeah, but the clearance under the pumpkin will be very small and that axle will be a rock anchor in any kind of wheeling.

If you can get one, or all of them, cheap, without a doubt do it. Then either sell them all or hold onto one until you're really ready to build a rig. Putting a D60 under the front of an EB simply because you can is more headache than it's worth IMO.

 

[78Scronco]

i posted this similar question not to long ago. I have a front d60 sitting here, but havn't seen enough info from people without chopping fenders completely off to know how much lift is needed or pumkin clearance or whatever else.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150909

 

[bosshoff]

Thanks Steve. I had not thought about the crossmember clearance issues above the axel. I am trying to figure just what is needed. I understand that the axels are much wider. I also was thinking of using a 14" rear or a Sterling 10.25 or 10.5 in the rear, as they are not terribly difficult to source. 36-37 tires are what it seems like is required.

 

[broncnaz]

If you dont plan on going any bigger than 32 in tires "yet" then your wasting you money and time on a D60.
When you start getting into tires 35in and bigger and your braking stuff then its time to consider a D60.

Do the disc brake swap on the 44 you'll want it even if you swap to your other rig. As for axle shafts wait until you start beaking stock ones. If you have a open front diff you really dont need HD shafts.
For future possible use or resale you can try to get one of the D60's but if he knows what they are worth your better off finding someone who has some that doesnt know what they are worth.

 

[mytmyk@q.com]

I am still working on my HP 78 Dana 60 swap I have 5.5 lift coils in front and everything seems to clear except my drive line is hitting my long tube headers. I left it full width and used the extended radius from All 4 fun. I am running 37 inch tires for now, Corporate 14 in back. In my opinion if you are going to use your Bronco as a "TOY" then why even keep the 44 in it because it will break sooner or later and trust me I have broken many inner Shafts. As far as ground clearance goes, I rather drag the pumpkin a little more and have the relibility.

 

[1Ton73]

Mine started out with 3 1/2" of suspension lift, 2" of body lift, cut fenders, and 38's and worked great (soft ride and lot's of travel). I also installed a 60 in a 77 F-150 with minimal lift.

My point is you can install a 60 with a minimal amount of lift. IMO go with a 60, if you wheel hard and want bigger tires down the road you'll be set.

 

[wpaeb]

I have a narrowed D60 under mine with cage arms. I had planned on 3 1/2" lift but was forced to go 5 1/2". I have no problems with the cross member. I needed the extra lift to clear my 5.0L oil pan. I narrowed the long side on my '78 axle.

 

[KyleQ]

I lifted mine 5.5" and cut the fenders... alot. I moved the engine x-member to clear my double ended hydro cylinder for the steering, other then that I didn't run into any clearance issues. The moved the axle forward 6" for apprach angle and I currently run 37" boggers - 35's on my old D44 yields the same pumpkin clearance.

Buy it and sit on it - D60's are nice to have laying around for your next project or transformation. I used Cage arms, coil and shocks up front with WH leafs in the rear - Bronco rides like a dream on the trails and flexes like mad.

You need the clearance with a soft suspension - I didn't touch the body mounts, just suspension lift.