Question on Dana 60s

Rossroams

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Well after spending 2 years running the truck with the ttb and solving my camber issues, I’ve decided to swap it. Yes, I would keep a Dana 50TTB for a stock height truck, yet as most of you told me, lifting it is only a headache. After many trips off-road and my rears and frame flexing more than the front springs it’s time to 60 swap it. I plan on taking 2 of the short springs off of the near flat 5 leaf “soft ride” pack, RSK the front from SKY 2.5” lift, trac bar and be done. My question to you honest guys is can a superduty D60 99-2004 use OBS springs? Can a 70s D60 use OBS springs and swap fine? I’ve found 2 in the 85-97 models, but I just want to see what my options are. Thank you!
 

Rossroams

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Also, I’m not quite sure on how this setup’s suspension would articulate when climbing over obstacles, but it looks interesting. Dana 50 TTB with a shackle reversal, seems like it shouldn’t work.

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kuskoal

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Sky manufacturing has swap kits for just about everything, except brick/bull nose to super duty springs.

I would get some parabolic springs in there (stock d60 looking) to bring the truck back to a known ride height. My brother did the same swap, used the softest super duty springs and a pmf kit for brackets, it rides great, has a 2.5" lift/level and was super easy to do!

The flat springs of the ttb put the truck and axle too low imo, we tried it.
 

towcat

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do not use the D50 springs from a 80-98 truck on a D60 swap. RSK or not. will the D60 bolt up? yes. will you experience misery like noones business? MOST CERTAINLY. the D50 springs are arched the wrong way for a D60. As far as using the '99 and up axles and springs, I cannot speak with any authority whatsoever. but I do know 80-98
 

DaveBen

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You had better plan on a dropped steering arm after you do the lift. You will experience bump-steer without it.
 
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Thewespaul

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Superduty springs will work on the obs trucks, but like mentioned the pug nose style frames (80-91) do not have enough length to accommodate the longer spring without adding 4” to the front of the frame. I just went through all this with project jerry, and I now have a spare set of superduty springs
 

Rossroams

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Thank you guys, to be clear my truck is lifted with a Tuff Country 2” lifted springs in the front. 5 leaf pack, the plan is to take 2 small leafs out ending with a 3 leaf pack. Then an RSK, and Dana 60 swap. The main question is if the 99-04 axles will mount up to my leafs and my frame (1987 F250)??

If not I’ll just find a 80-97 D60. Thanks!... And I already have a drop pitman for a 4” lift installed.
 

Thewespaul

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Thank you guys, to be clear my truck is lifted with a Tuff Country 2” lifted springs in the front. 5 leaf pack, the plan is to take 2 small leafs out ending with a 3 leaf pack. Then an RSK, and Dana 60 swap. The main question is if the 99-04 axles will mount up to my leafs and my frame (1987 F250)??

If not I’ll just find a 80-97 D60. Thanks!... And I already have a drop pitman for a 4” lift installed.
Skim through project Jerry and look at what I had to do to make the superduty axle work. I’ve taken lots of pictures and explained the issues with the trac bar locations, then you decide if you want to take it on. Personally if I was just trying to bolt something on I would get an 80-91 axle with the right length springs already on it.
 

u2slow

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The main question is if the 99-04 axles will mount up to my leafs and my frame (1987 F250)??

If not I’ll just find a 80-97 D60.

The 99-04 axles have ~1" wider spring spacing.

Go with the 95-97 for the best brakes.... or 85-91 for kingpins (i.e. for lift & high-steer).

EDIT: Dana 50 hubs will fit the OBS D60. The 50 spindles will work on the 92-97 D60 (balljoint style).
 
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Rossroams

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Thank y’all for setting me straight! I found two Dana 60s, one a 95 and one a 97 for sale. Only drawback is they have a 3:55 gear ratio where I have a 4:10. So the plan is to scoop one up, prep it, swap the ratio, order in an RSK, and then tackle the project in one swoop.
 

zebrabeefj40

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I have a 4.10 gearset from my '89 D60 I'd let go for cheap if you are interested. I needed 3.55 for my Cummins swap so these are now sitting on the shelf...

Nick
 
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dancrowley

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Diesel Crawler, How did you mount your bumper with the PMF kit mounted on the truck? It looks like the bumper would be in the way? Dan
 

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