Ok. I have a Ford 60 frontend w/chevy outers 69" wms to wms.
I'm wanting to narrow it and of course the cheapest way possible. My question to the all knowing POR board is does anyone have a list of front dana 60 widths. Whatever width I go to I would like to be able to get axles for a certain application (read: I don't want to pay for custom axles everytime I break one) So I was thinking if like a Dodge had a shorter long side then I would just narrow my long side to that length and order dodge axles. I think you get the idea. So anybody got list or suggestion where to look?

TIA

um, heres the thing:

you WONT break a custom dana 60 axle. you just WILL NOT.

run 35 spline outerswith some Moser or Dutchman inners and you will have a totally bombproof front end with the addition of the coming CTM joints.

you can break anything if you are stupid enough. I don't know the lengths but I think they are all fairly close. You could consider the hummer rim route, for a low buck beadlock/ narrowing trick. Supposedly the hummer rims fit on the ford 60 with a 3/4 inch spacer and still have 6+ inches of backspacing.

I'm gonna have to agree with MeanGreen, ya ain't gonna break em. Jason Paule(Twisted Customs) ran a Maxle rear steer with shafts that were cut and resplined and he twisted off a stub shaft. I will be having Maxle cut down my 60 then chop and respline the shaft for $350. To be on the safe side, I will pick up a Moser custom spare shaft for $150.

I see busted front 60 parts (yes, shafts included) far too often around here to listen to some of you talk about "you will not break them"...

I beleive that there are only a few stock lenths out there. GM and Dodge up to 93. 90-93 the Dodge hubs are a little diffrent but can be used. Then two types of Ford 79 back, and 86up. Now there are probly some strange lengths out there for things like aircraft tugs, ect. Just check with your Dana dealer, they will be able to help you out.

I don't know where the difference is made up, but my Dodge 60 front is only 67" wide, where I think Chev's measure in at more like 69" wide...

On mine I will be taking 3" off the long side to make it a bolt-in under my Toyota hangers, and will just have to narrow one long side inner shaft.

Originally posted by DRM
I don't know where the difference is made up, but my Dodge 60 front is only 67" wide, where I think Chev's measure in at more like 69" wide...

On mine I will be taking 3" off the long side to make it a bolt-in under my Toyota hangers, and will just have to narrow one long side inner shaft.




DRM, what is yourr overall width going to be and what tires are you planning on running? I have a Dodge D60 and was also wanting to be able to just bolt it in. I was thinking about going a little narrower than that even, like 62-63....

From what I've heard, the Dodge and GM long shafts are the same, and the Dodge short shaft is 2" shorter than the GM.

Pete

Originally posted by Dingo
DRM, what is yourr overall width going to be and what tires are you planning on running? I have a Dodge D60 and was also wanting to be able to just bolt it in. I was thinking about going a little narrower than that even, like 62-63....

Axle is 67" as it sits now, knocking 3" off the long side lets you bolt is directly under the Toyota hangers. That puts the width at 64". If you want to narrow it more, you have to cut the short side too - and that just means more custom shafts and more $$$.

Rims will be stock Chevy 16.5" rims with around 4" of backspacing, but widened from 7" to about 9.5" or so by converting to beadlocks.

Just doing the math, overall sidewall to sidewall width should be around 81" - give or take an inch...

Comparatively, with my Toyota axles before I was about 74" wide sidewall to sidewall...

Originally posted by DRM


Axle is 67" as it sits now, knocking 3" off the long side lets you bolt is directly under the Toyota hangers. That puts the width at 64". If you want to narrow it more, you have to cut the short side too - and that just means more custom shafts and more $$$.

Rims will be stock Chevy 16.5" rims with around 4" of backspacing, but widened from 7" to about 9.5" or so by converting to beadlocks.



I am sticking with 15 inch rims. That answers some questions I had though. Is there a particular reason you are going to 16.5's? I think I will end up a little bit wider than your planning due to the smaller rim size.........

Originally posted by Dingo



I am sticking with 15 inch rims. That answers some questions I had though. Is there a particular reason you are going to 16.5's? I think I will end up a little bit wider than your planning due to the smaller rim size.........

Well, for one - use of 16.5" rims lets me run lots of backspacing and clear teh brakes good, while keeping the tire more located over the knuckle pivot for SUPER steering.
But I also got a deal on some 42" tires, and since I was gonna make beadlocks anyway, 16.5's are just as good as 15's :p