i was just wondering if anyone has ever installed a 86 or newer dana 60 from a F350 into a 78 bronco. i know the stock radius arms wont fit between the diff and the knuckle. but is there a way to narrow the stock radius arm to fit, or can i build a new arm to fit. there is only about 3 inches between the diff and knuckle to work with.

I looked into doing this swap, and the axle I was looking at had enough room for the radius arm.........barely. It might have required a little grinding.

I never did the swap, because by the time I confirmed it would work, the F-350 I was looking at, had been sold to a single mom for the same swap.

Mike

Just saw your note about 3" of room. The '89 I looked at had about 7" between the knuckle and diff.

Bill, chevyboat (sp) did this but on his 1500. I saw the swap when he was done he did have to grind a little off the pumkin and the c-mount. It did come out very clean. I found a 60 that I am going to be doing the same thing to as soon as I break my 44.

Originally posted by Marksman
Just saw your note about 3" of room. The '89 I looked at had about 7" between the knuckle and diff.

Then it wasn't an 89. Ford moved the diff over when they started using D60s again in 86.

I've seen folks use these axles with c-bushings, tho.... it takes a little bit of work, but most of them rounded off the leaf spring perch and hacked/slashed the c-bushing "ears" until they fit on/around the diff housing and axle tube. Cut the c-bushings a little bit if necessary to pick up the extra clearance (rubber bushings help here too)

I know one guy in particular that cut the diff housing all the way around where the tube sleeves in.... maybe not the best way to accomplish it IMHO.

Would someone please post pics of a Later D-60 set-up using the wedges, preferably set up for an EB setting the Rad. Arms at ~ 37".

If anyone has a good detail shot of the driver side wedge installed, that's what I need. Thanks

Originally posted by sclemons


Then it wasn't an 89. Ford moved the diff over when they started using D60s again in 86.



Sure was an '89. In fact I posted the same question as this string here to ask about it.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=121891

I was a moron and let the truck get away from me, but no doubt it was an '89.

Mike

Hmm... well, you can't have it both ways. The 86-97 axles have barely 3" of tube showing between the diff housing and the knuckle yoke. The pre-80 axles had more, but they won't fit under later trucks (easily) due to the spring spacing and the engine crossmember.

There's the remote possibility that the axle was swapped by the owner, but without pics, we'll never know.

Originally posted by Marksman


Sure was an '89. In fact I posted the same question as this string here to ask about it.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=121891

I was a moron and let the truck get away from me, but no doubt it was an '89.

Mike

It was a dually flatbed. Would that make a difference??

Mike

I doubt it. My axle is from an 86 dually dump and it's exactly like any other (except for the dually hubs, of course).

I've poked around under a bunch of F350 and F450 trucks and never noticed a difference... most of the changes in the frame are from the cab rearward.

Well maybe I remember it wrong. I did take a digital pic of the axle, but deleted it after the truck was sold.

I researched the numbers on the tag, and it was definatly the original axle. 4.10's with a factory detroit in the rear 10.25. The Detroit, according to the local Ford parts counter guy was pretty rare.

I guess it doesn't really matter, and I don't want to spread any misinformation.

Mike

4 link &coil springs used yj bushings 1 7/8pipe build c shape bracket weld bolt on top to hold spring remove radis arm bracket build bracket to hold rear 4 link

I have a 87 D60 in my 78 Bronco. I made new arms with rod ends. Install went pretty easy. E-mail me
( tx4wheeler@adelphia.net)and I can send you some pics. I haven't bought the red star yet so I cant post them.