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Would a Dana 60 be overkill???

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DanStew, Jul 19, 2004.

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  1. Jul 19, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    We all know my jeep isnt a restoration piece by any means. So i will swap out my axles eventually. I have the Waggie 44 front. And i was at my friends house today and tempted me with a FF Dana 60 he has in the rack. I have tinkered with the idea of a 60, but i am just thinking it may be a bit over kill for me. Looking to keep the power to weight ratio in check. I can get the 60 probably for around 50 bucks. I measured it and it is about 64/65 inches, and the waggie front axle is 61 inches. So there is a bit of a differnce in width, but i could probably live with it.

    I was thinknig just going to get a narrow track HD model 20 for a rear axle since they are pretty plentyful, but i will have to pay $100 for one.

    I am just wondering if it is overkill to have a Dana 60, but still run a V6. I plan on keeping the V6 for a long time.

    What do you guys think?? And remember it isnt a restoration piece... it is a trail jeep.
     
    DanStew, Jul 19, 2004
    #1
  2. Jul 19, 2004
    Project71-5

    Project71-5 BACON

    Gypsum, CO
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    I think you should first decide what size tires you want to run. 35/36 should hold up to plenty of abuse with a D44. Heck you've seen what Travis does to the flattie in the garden at Crawfords, it holds up fine. I think if you want larger than a 36 then go with a 60. ;)

    Either way for $50 you should get it.
     
    Project71-5, Jul 19, 2004
    #2
  3. Jul 19, 2004
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    heck $50 then put it up on Ebay or even the horrific JU. joe i think is right unless you are going bigger then 36in tires 60 is overkill (not that that is a bad thing) i dont know if i would listen to myself since i am planing a 44 9in combo for 33s
     
    mb82, Jul 19, 2004
    #3
  4. Jul 19, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I will probably go up to 36, i have plenty of room for that right now. $50 is a good price.

    Funny, i was waiting for Travis to blow that tranny up when he was going up Fain's ford
     
    DanStew, Jul 19, 2004
    #4
  5. Jul 19, 2004
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    get it keep it. heck maybe the weight of the 60 down low would help keep all 4 wheels on the ground
     
    mb82, Jul 19, 2004
    #5
  6. Jul 19, 2004
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Don't forget about the ground clearance you'll lose with the bigger differential in the 60.
     
    Glenn, Jul 19, 2004
    #6
  7. Jul 20, 2004
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Must I say it? :twisted:

    Wider wheel base? for the school bus??

    :twisted: :D :D

    ya might want it. ;)
     
    termin8ed, Jul 20, 2004
    #7
  8. Jul 20, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Yup definately a wider stance. I can always shave the 60 down, it seems to be a standard when running them.

    I am just worried that with that weight i wont have enough motor to move it around. Probably should stick withthe waggie HD20 or 44, i probably wont break them.
     
    DanStew, Jul 20, 2004
    #8
  9. Jul 20, 2004
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
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    I can put some stamps on my extra model 20 and set it next to the mailbox today. Hmmm, how many stamps to get it to Florida and I wonder if the mail lady can lift it?
     
    michigan_pinstripes, Jul 20, 2004
    #9
  10. Jul 20, 2004
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    I'm thinking you can buy a LOT of Dana 44 axles and spider gears for the cost of rebuilding/narrowing/installing a Dana 60, Dan. Now, if you were running a small-block chebby and doing a lot of rock-crawling and were constantly breaking axles, then I'd say go fer it. JMHO. ;)
     
    w3srl, Jul 20, 2004
    #10
  11. Jul 20, 2004
    fred

    fred Member

    Dallas, Texas
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    Jun 29, 2004
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    You can get 1.5" diameter axle shafts with an ARB unit for a Dana 44. If you are going to spend alot of money, go CJ "wide track" width. Don't get the 60 unless you plan on running 36" or larger tires. The tubes are large in diameter and usually require spring over to clear your springs. The AMC 20 hangs almost as low as a 60. A shaved 9" is a light weight and very strong axle (they look funny to me under a Jeep).
    I'm contemplating the D44/ARB/1.5" diameter shafts.
     
    fred, Jul 20, 2004
    #11
  12. Jul 20, 2004
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    after reading about the 30/44 combo more. i think the 44/60 combo would be a great one. the only thing i worry about with those is the R&P then i would think the shear point would not be the axle shaft but the R&P.
     
    mb82, Jul 20, 2004
    #12
  13. Jul 20, 2004
    Project71-5

    Project71-5 BACON

    Gypsum, CO
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    I would go 'mog axles if I had the coin :twisted:
     
    Project71-5, Jul 20, 2004
    #13
  14. Jul 20, 2004
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    If I had the coin I'd keep the Jeep stock and get the whole Unimog. ;)
     
    Glenn, Jul 20, 2004
    #14
  15. Jul 20, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I am with you Glenn :)
     
    DanStew, Jul 20, 2004
    #15
  16. Jul 20, 2004
    fred

    fred Member

    Dallas, Texas
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    Make it stealth stock, pack it with the 1.5" shafts.
     
    fred, Jul 20, 2004
    #16
  17. Jul 21, 2004
    oldjeep

    oldjeep Sisyphus at work

    Victoria, MN
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    Get yourself a D60 off a J20 truck. They are about 62 inches wms-wms. A dana 44 will twist off a shaft every year or so with 35" tires, more if you are aggressive. I built my Shaved 35 spline D60 as a "lifetime axle" no worries about ever breaking it. Cost about $700 total
     
    oldjeep, Jul 21, 2004
    #17
  18. Jul 22, 2004
    80cj

    80cj Member

    Hawaii
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    Don't shy away from the HD 20 either. I have a friend with a 83 J10 with a 360 in it and 35's. He just abuses this truck and HD 20 rear is still hanging in there.
     
    80cj, Jul 22, 2004
    #18
  19. Jul 22, 2004
    Jeepnut67

    Jeepnut67 New Member

    Mammoth, AZ
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    Another factor.. I've seen people run a 427 Chebbie with the stock small shaft D44 and D27 and never break.... its called driving style. I have the D44 with Summers Bros FlangeD Axles and an ARB, if I break that even with a 350 and 33's I will have other problems. :D
     
    Jeepnut67, Jul 22, 2004
    #19
  20. Jul 22, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I actually drive like a grandma ;)
    Just actually looking for a tad more width for the axles so i can have some more stability. I have no problems with my current axles except for that they are narrow. :(
     
    DanStew, Jul 22, 2004
    #20
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