Axle Swap help .. Dana60 front

[Skaven]

Hey guys..I have access to the axles out of a 1994 Dodge Ram 3500 HD. The front is a Dana60 and the rear is a Dana80 from what i can find on google. correct me if im work. As far as the rear axle goes I think that will be a fairly easy swap..just cut off and weld my spring perches and shock mounts where I need them. But as for the front axle how difficult is this swap? Im fairly compentent with a welder and have friends who are journeymen would could help me out. Im sure someone else here has done this swap and any insight would be greatly appreaiated..btw if your wonder why the big axles im also going stright from stock most likely the 6.5' RC long arm lift and 35's and what axles that would hold up to the big tires with lockers. Also if theres a write up that I somehow missed please let me know Thanks guys

 

[gambit4000s]

I would start with a T&T truss, stated for use with an HP Ford D60, but modification shouldn't be too hard for a decent welder.

6.5" and a 60/80 for only 35's might be overkill.

There are quite a few build threads here and on pirate, try searching "full width" "1 ton" in the cherokee forum or here.

And before someone beats me to it

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cherokee+dana+60+front

Seek and Ye shall find

Seriously search, and Welcome to

 

[rocklobster87]

Rear axle should be a dana 70-u, and front will be a POS. The 70-u's are awesome axles, 35 spline, disk brake options, ratios all the way to 7.17, locker options, and better ground clearance than a 14b. That front 60 will have ball joints, central axle disconnect, 1.31" 32 spline inner shafts, and unit bearings. I would probably continue searching for a different front, as these really are the bottom of the barrel 60's. Why such big axles for 35" tires? More weight, less ground clearance, (and that 60 will have shafts comparable to those of a dana 44 strength wise). Why not a 8.8, or 9", and a D44?

 

[Goatman]

35's aren't big tires. If you're really going to end up with big tires then 1 ton axles are a good choice, but if you're going to stick with 35's then you'd actually be happier with a different axle choice. The front Dodge 60 isn't a very good axle choice for the reasons stated above, though I guess it would work if the price was dirt cheap. Ford HP60's are going for $800-1100 so the Dodge would have to be pretty cheap.

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

Ford HP60's are going for $800-1100 so the Dodge would have to be pretty cheap.

ive seen several late 80's ford 60's in new england go for 300-500 in good shape to, maybee i should bring a bunch to cali and make some money

 

[t-frady]

going to open this post back up I found a 94 dodge D60 front for 300 so what exactly is so bad about the dodge one's just the ball joint's
Should i get it or wait till i find a ford D60
Will be for a Full Width setup in the up coming year

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

going to open this post back up I found a 94 dodge D60 front for 300 so what exactly is so bad about the dodge one's just the ball joint's
Should i get it or wait till i find a ford D60
Will be for a Full Width setup in the up coming year

everything is crap about the 90's dodge 60, unit bearing, balljoints, 32 spline shafts, axle disconect, keep a eye out for late 80's ford 60's they can be had for 200-400 bucks and are in alot better shape then the 78-79 60's

 

[t-frady]

thanks thats what i needed to know ill keep looking

 

[MoparManiac]

Rear axle should be a dana 70-u, and front will be a POS. The 70-u's are awesome axles, 35 spline, disk brake options, ratios all the way to 7.17, locker options, and better ground clearance than a 14b. That front 60 will have ball joints, central axle disconnect, 1.31" 32 spline inner shafts, and unit bearings. I would probably continue searching for a different front, as these really are the bottom of the barrel 60's. Why such big axles for 35" tires? More weight, less ground clearance, (and that 60 will have shafts comparable to those of a dana 44 strength wise). Why not a 8.8, or 9", and a D44?

Just to prevent any misinformation, if the Dodge is a diesel it won't have 35-spline axleshafts, they will be the smaller 32-splines. Not sure why, but that is what I've found out.

The D80 will be 35 spline shafts.

 

[CrashDawson]

I am doing the D60 kingpin front and a Full float rear D60 with 37in tires on my XJ. running the Full traction long arm 4 link right now but looks like it will be a 3link with the 60 in there. have the brackets on my 60 for the front need to do a upper control arm mount and the track bar mount.