Project Guinea Pig

[prerunner]

Damn. I was excited by this. A Dana 60 HD. Then I ran the BOM.
603382.

DANA 60 REAR
Year 1973
Make FORD
Model F250 3/4 Ton 4X4 Pick-up w/ Full-Float Axle
Number of axle splines: 16 FULL

16 splines isn't sexy. Even if I couldn't break it, its just not supported. It has, according to the tag, 4.10s in it. Guessing open.
But I'm planning 5.38s and lockers.
I'm gonna do some research to see if there are shafts that interchange. 30 spline are fine, 35's are better. I can at least get stuff for those.

 

[prerunner]

One more pic: The end.

Nevermind the garbage in the sploder. I live in there. The odometer says so.

 

[prerunner]

Decided to weld that biatch up, order the thick ring gear and runner til she blows. It ain't a street truck anymore so on road manners aren't all important.

Its gonna continue to be a budget built pail made out of other peoples throwaway parts. (Along with my blood, sweat and empty wallet.)
I've got other things I want to spend big money on like a nicer place to live, a vacation every few years or so and maybe a better daily beater. Spending large on this POS isn't gonna take me further up the trail or get me farther ahead in life.

So fawk it. I'll spend like an idiot on something else.

 

[prerunner]

So the front axle is 70.5" wms to wms. The rear is not quite 64.
I'm thinking I'll need spacers on the rear...

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

That's a big difference. What were they each out of?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[prerunner]

Rear is a 73 - 75 1/2 Ford F250 Dana 60 HD Full float.
Front is a Dodge 2000 or 2001, 2500 or 3500 (same BOM both years, 3/4 & 1 ton models) Dana 60 LP CAD.
I'm leaning towards 2" spacers on the back at the moment.

These are both Dana 60's people throw away. One for being coarse (16) spline - the other for being CAD (central axle disconnect, long side is a 2 piece axle with a sliding sleeve) and low pinion.

Right now, D60HP fronts run +/- $1000 in rebuildable shape locally. That CAD LP axle was $200. The cad delete chromo axles run $225 (US) each. (http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-19358763-dana-60-00-02-dodge-35-spline-longside-cad-delete.html) (http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-19359664-dana-60-00-02-dodge-35-spline-shortside-cad-delete.html)
I think this is a good tradeoff. I end up with a D60 with chromos for less than a used D60HP. Still left side drop too.
I've read that the '00-01 (and 02 without CAD) were the strongest D60's built until the Super Duty axles '05 and later came out.
I'm (pick one: ) Brilliant, crazy, cheap or polishing a turd. You decide.

Edit: played hooky from work today and ordered u bolts for the rear D60 from Dendoff springs in Surrey. Be ready tomorrow. http://www.dendoff.com/ Need to pick up either a matching Ford spring plate or a pair of fabricated ones.
With the change in weather I want this thing done!

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

No I agree it's definitely a good idea to run the cad delete axel shaft and save tons of money.
Yeah I'd just run spacers in the rear too. 1.5" would probably be enough but 2" would be better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[prerunner]

I have 3/4 and 1 ton spec axles. Do you suppose I can get the 7/8 ton SAS axle group badge?

 

[prerunner]

Picking up a 35 spline carrier for a D60 tonight or tomorrow morning. It'll go in the front with either a lock right or spartan, I've read good things about both.
Waiting to hear back about roller wheels and some other Craplist junk.
Pretty impressed with the U bolts from Dendoff. Excellent quality. Probably too good for my piece of crap truck.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Lol too good...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[prerunner]

Might also be picking up some 2001 Dodge 8 bolt wheels with 35" rollers tonight.
Its been sitting without a rear axle for quite a while and making it rollable would be a minor achievement. Would also help me to start setting up the front suspension.

If all this goes down tonight I'll have spent more on this in the last week than in all of 2015.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

I like it, you've gotten a fire lit under your back side! You've made real good progress!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ford78]

Wouldn't the Spartan keep ur front locked all the time? Since u won't have lock outs u may want to run a limit slip.

 

[prerunner]

Wouldn't the Spartan keep ur front locked all the time? Since u won't have lock outs u may want to run a limit slip.

As I understand it, all the lunchbox lockers are *supposed to" unlock while turning, indicated by clicking noises. The spartan seems to have the most aggressive spring rate of the lunchboxes and some people report that they've never heard them unlock.
If I had the money I'd just get Detroits and forget about them. But money is an issue so I've been scouring Pirate looking for budget tech.
You're right that by not having lockouts I need differentiation or it won't turn at all. I'm hoping that whichever lunchbox I get it works as advertised. The guys on Pirate report that lock rights will last for years in front 60's with big rubber and regular floggings and most would get another if / when it broke or wore out.
Thats a pretty strong recommendation. Spartans on the other hand haven't had as much feedback. What I have read is that they're easier to install and are more aggressive.
I'm leaning towards the lock right but keeping an open mind if theres a deal on the Aussie or Spartan going when I get more $ together again.
Truth is, I'm not a fan of limited slips. The lunchbox actually locks in a straight line and unlocks when turning. The "selectable" locker is the right answer but pricey. LS units wear out and don't put down power where and when you need it. They're counterintuitive.

 

[prerunner]

So. Armed with a name "Tom", and a phone number I'm going to pick up this 35 spline D60 carrier. Pull up to the guys garage, the door rolls up and behind it are two competition rock crawlers. Tom is Tom Sanford ( check him in action: https://www.facebook.com/spidr.atkar...type=3&theater) and I suddenly don't know anything about 4 wheeling. But we spent about 4 hours shooting the shit, mostly him giving me great pointers on building my junk. Great guy.
BTW, hes hoping to get into an event and could use your votes if you're on Pirate. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/gene...at-near-impossible-trail-10.html#post34799801