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Dana 60 Question

2K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  Barnestormer 
#1 ·
Does anyone know if there is an axle shaft kit out there that can be used to fit wheels with the GM 5 x 4 3/4 bolt pattern to a Dana 60? If not, are there rear axles out there with this bolt pattern stronger than the 10 bolt?

Thanks for looking!
 
#2 ·
Barnestormer said:
Does anyone know if there is an axle shaft kit out there that can be used to fit wheels with the GM 5 x 4 3/4 bolt pattern to a Dana 60? If not, are there rear axles out there with this bolt pattern stronger than the 10 bolt?

Thanks for looking!
There are wheel adapters that bolt to the axle flange that allow the use of a different bolt pattern wheel. This changes the wheel position inside the fender/wheel well, so the wheel/tire fitment when using the adapters has to be checked and verified that they will fit as they should. Good adapters (the only ones you shoud even consider) cost nearly as much as some wheels.


The best plan would be to buy new axles for the D-60 w/the 5 on 4.75" pattern, IMHO.
 
#3 ·
It depends on how the Dana 60 is built. If it has the full floating axles then you can't use those wheels. If it has semi floating axles then you can get axles with any bolt pattern that you want. If it is full floating you can convert it to semi floating by changing the housing ends. This requires a housing fixture and good welding skills.
 
#4 ·
This requires a housing fixture and good welding skills.
Good thing I know a good welder or two! :D

Trying to figure if it's worth it or not. Benefit is that I have the D60, so it's a matter of how much money I want to throw at it to work with the Cragar SSs I have. Starting to wonder if an Explorer 8.8 might not be a better idea. Benefit of the rear discs already being there and should be strong enough to stand up to driving and occasional towing.

The best plan would be to buy new axles for the D-60 w/the 5 on 4.75" pattern, IMHO.
Where do I find such an animal? I'm not the best Googler. :smash:

Thank you for the replies!
 
#6 ·
Do you have the Dana 60 with semi floating axles or full floating axles? If you have semi floating axles then Moser can make a set to replace what is in it now. If you have full floating axles then the housing will have to be modified to use the semi floating axles. That is where the housing fixture and welding skill comes in. You will have to change the housing ends and then order custom axles.
 
#7 ·
You will have to change the housing ends and then order custom axles.
That makes sense. Starting to think this may be more trouble than it's worth.

The axle is a full-floater out of a Dodge truck. Eight lugger. Eventually going to build a hot rod that will occasionally tow my pop-up camper on vacations (Yeah, sounds crazy, but actually makes sense to me), so I thought the 60 might be a good idea for the strength. But starting to think an 8.8 out of an Explorer will do the same job, and probably be easier to get axle shafts for.
 
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