I need your guys opinion on this conversion. I realize if you want to romp on any truck its gonna need the straight axle. So opinions on cost wise, what would be a good price now a days if I were to pick up a used ford axle. Obviously I would need to do a whole lot more research then this, but I basically want to get my feet wet on the procedure, pros and cons ect.. I would like to know the basics of what type of axles, spring pad, spline ( whats the difference and why)? Slip yoke eliminator (SYE) Could of sworn these were hard to come by for some reason.

I only want to concentrate on the front, as you can see I already have 8" deavers..Thanks a bunch..

Shaun

if your going to use leaf spring, no matter what your going to want a 78-79 ford d60 (700-1500) all depends on condition and where you buy it.

if you do coils you can almost use any axle but most people recommend a kingpin axle cause of their strength and dont need the repairs as much as a ball joint axle.

also you need a drivers side pumpkin axle. dodge or ford have that. or even a dynatac if you want to spend the loot

there are more and more options out there. I would go with a ford dana 60, king pin style. I am currently running leafs, from the ass end of an 87 3/4 ton gmc. they are worn out and ride like shite on road. Off road they handle amazingly well. Looking into 4 linking my front then linking my rear. Leafs are simple to install, and can with stand a beating. But it is all preference, and what you want to do with your truck. I would stay away from the aam 9.25 axle found in the dodges, they are garbage. Where are you located?

there are more and more options out there. I would go with a ford dana 60, king pin style. I am currently running leafs, from the ass end of an 87 3/4 ton gmc. they are worn out and ride like shite on road. Off road they handle amazingly well. Looking into 4 linking my front then linking my rear. Leafs are simple to install, and can with stand a beating. But it is all preference, and what you want to do with your truck. I would stay away from the aam 9.25 axle found in the dodges, they are garbage. Where are you located?

Im located in socal LA...Thats where i start getting confused about options. I like how my truck sits in height, all I want is to fit 37-38 max. What is a ruff price difference in leaf coversion to coil overs an links in the front. In socal, where is a good place to get specifically a ford D60 kingpin? One guy lead me to a shop called Boyce, fully rebuilt (damn near brand new) d60 kingpin shipped to his door 3140.00... See, if im only gonna save a few bucks on finding my own D60 then buying bearing or all neccessary parts to rebuild then Id go with the Boyce set up. Whats your 2 cents?

Thanks in advance

I'm down here now, 909 area. I have 38.5's on my rig. Which ever route I decide to go, the truck will be going down in height. Currently sitting 10", want to get it 7" over stock and still run 38's. Which is possible to do, I have seen a few rig with that set up. I have been looking on C/L not many around here. Even been looking on Pirate still none around here. Is that a complete D60, for that price? Do they have a web site? Sounds like a good price. Everywhere else is 2k just for the housing. And 6500 for a complete axle. Down here there is Offroad Evo, ORU, or guys who do their own fabbing. I was up in Sac while did mine. photobucket.com/mackthehack for some pics of my rig.

was just on the boyce site. the only 60s I saw were gm ones. you would need a ford one. don't think they would carry ford 60's due to the fact they primarily deal with Military stuff. and all the Military 1 ton stuff is gm.

Im located in socal LA...Thats where i start getting confused about options. I like how my truck sits in height, all I want is to fit 37-38 max. What is a ruff price difference in leaf coversion to coil overs an links in the front. In socal, where is a good place to get specifically a ford D60 kingpin? One guy lead me to a shop called Boyce, fully rebuilt (damn near brand new) d60 kingpin shipped to his door 3140.00... See, if im only gonna save a few bucks on finding my own D60 then buying bearing or all neccessary parts to rebuild then Id go with the Boyce set up. Whats your 2 cents?

Thanks in advance

i have seen the D60 on ebay for like $800 plus shipping. if you get one around here its going to be around $1500 and that will need to be rebuilt. just get it from boyce, your going to spend around the same either way

was just on the boyce site. the only 60s I saw were gm ones. you would need a ford one. don't think they would carry ford 60's due to the fact they primarily deal with Military stuff. and all the Military 1 ton stuff is gm.

Your right Mack..just went back on the Boyce site. All gm d60's..dammit..I'll guess im going to have to keep searching for it...If i find a D60 ford, whose a reputable vendor I can rely on rebuild parts for just the axle?

Me personally, I would find the D60 king pin, rebuild it myself and then buy the kit of choice from ORU. I know some aren't keen with ORU, but you need to think that those guys took all the hard work and frustration out of a solid axle conversion. They're proven and EVERYTHING they make is bolt on. So say three years from now you want coilovers....buy the upgraded parts and you'll be set to go. Go with leafs cause they are tried and true, less maintenance and cheaper. Those are my thoughts on what you should do.

Damn Dude, Can't think off the top of my head. Had a shop do mine up north, I got ripped off. Check ebay for some stuff, then go on to Pirate4x4. There is an axle section in the vender area. Or maybe pick any 4x4 mag, and get some site out of there. justdifferentials.com, differentials.com, ringpinion.com, desertrat.com, there are a lot more sites, but I can not think of them right now. Hope this helps, I don't know of alot of places down here since I have not lived here that long. I could ask on RockBrawlers for some direction.

Mackie

Your right Mack..just went back on the Boyce site. All gm d60's..dammit..I'll guess im going to have to keep searching for it...If i find a D60 ford, whose a reputable vendor I can rely on rebuild parts for just the axle?

I think you just have to call Boyce about the Ford Dana 60's.

Check out this thread...he bought a Ford Dana 60 from Boyce.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=300275&highlight=boyce+equipment

I agree with NAS on the axle and the leafs. But as for ORU, I have not personally delt with them other than email them questions about their coilover kit. And basically did not get a true answer from them. I have heard a lot of bad things about them, but then there are the very few people that had no problems with them. If you run leafs go to offroaddirect.com they have sas kits for gm's and just came out with a radius arm kit. offroaddesign.com has parts as well. bluetorchfab.com, ballisticfab.com, skyoffroad.com, cageoffroad.com has a radius arm kit. If you are feeling squirrely then last resort is ORU.

I think you just have to call Boyce about the Ford Dana 60's.

Check out this thread...he bought a Ford Dana 60 from Boyce.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=300275&highlight=boyce+equipment


Thanks Swampfox forgot about that build...would have to call them. I still think you could find one cheaper, but still have the possiblity of it turning into a nightmare though.

Thanks Swampfox forgot about that build...would have to call them. I still think you could find one cheaper, but still have the possiblity of it turning into a nightmare though.

thats exactly what im affraid of...A D60 nightmare:eek:

I think you just have to call Boyce about the Ford Dana 60's.

Check out this thread...he bought a Ford Dana 60 from Boyce.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=300275&highlight=boyce+equipment


Dude thanks, I remember this build and also spoke with him a while back during his build.

Im running the cage arms and was using ballistic fabrications brackets for the panhard and coil mounts. The cage arms are beef and have held up very well to my abusive driving off and on road.

If you are really board http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188545 is the build thread, its long winded but a bunch of info.

For your d-60, I payed 1700 for mine but it was already rebuilt so it saved me some headache. To find one simply put an add on craigslist that you want one, have cash and the price you are willing to spend. The last 60 I purchased I used this method and got my pick out of three calls the next day.


for a cost idea just on parts.

cage arms and springs 1100
cross over from wfo and misc 600
hydro assist from blazinoffroad.com 220.00
modified/ taped cap and cover for lines 50.00
42 inch iroks on 17 inch wheels shipped from 4wp 2000.00
regear axles to 5.38s 1200.00
locker for front 500.00
drivelines, front, rear and stub shaft 1200 est.
205 t-case, rebuild kit, and twin stick 750.00
shocks 500.00
diff cover to mount steering ram from ruffstufspeacialties.com 110.00
14 inch king coil overs 1200.00

I have a dana 60 out of a 93 ford f350 for sale. I am asking 1000 for it complete or 1500 for both front and rear matching axles. Let me know.

Raj

seen yall were tlaking bout me. lol

yeah boyce has the Ford d60's.

Mine ran me 3400 completely rebuilt and shipped to my door. The paint they use doesnt last long on em so if you do use them as a supplier tell em not to paint it and then paint it yourself with soem under coating.

Ive been running the piss out of my truck and the 60 has been fine thus far.

you running a 78-79 d 60?

yessir. I was having a god aweful time finding a 78-79 d60 for a decent price that wasnt gonna rape me with shipping so i jsut bit the bullet and called boyce. But the next truck im working on is probably getting a chevy d60 due to the fact that they are al over the place round here.

I know what you mean. I looked for months, was only able to come up with an 89 ford 60. Yea... I know it has the pain in the ass pad width. Don't know what direction I am going to go with my front end. Either keep this axle and do a radius arm set up like Cage's. Or see if Off Road Evolution can build a 4 link around it. Or just start over with a 79 60. And do a 4 link with that. Thought about using a chevy 60, have clearance issues with the 4" down pipe and the big ass oil pan. How does your truck ride on road? I rode in a 2500 with an 8.1 in it. With Skyjacker leafs in the front and it rode freakin nice on road.

yeah mine rides really good. The only thing now is after one hard bump one night my steering shaft no has the dreaded clunk and make sthe whole driving experience feel like shit.

Put it like this, my buddy has a duramax with cranked bars and 285 and he likes the ride of my truck waaay better. I even took the steering stabilizer off, doesnt wander or get bad bump steer either.

yeah mine rides really good. The only thing now is after one hard bump one night my steering shaft no has the dreaded clunk and make sthe whole driving experience feel like shit.

Put it like this, my buddy has a duramax with cranked bars and 285 and he likes the ride of my truck waaay better. I even took the steering stabilizer off, doesnt wander or get bad bump steer either.

You are running the 5.5" springs up front right? Do you think the 3.5" springs would ride any better since they have less arch?

yeah mine rides really good. The only thing now is after one hard bump one night my steering shaft no has the dreaded clunk and make sthe whole driving experience feel like shit.

Put it like this, my buddy has a duramax with cranked bars and 285 and he likes the ride of my truck waaay better. I even took the steering stabilizer off, doesnt wander or get bad bump steer either.

Thats bad ass man, thanks for the info.

You are running the 5.5" springs up front right? Do you think the 3.5" springs would ride any better since they have less arch?


yes i have the 5.5's. I would believe the 3.5 would be even better. My springs settled a ton and now they look nearly level under the truck.

yes i have the 5.5's. I would believe the 3.5 would be even better. My springs settled a ton and now they look nearly level under the truck.

Thanks for the input, also one other question. Do you think 37" Toyo's would fit with just the 3.5" springs?

umm...maybe on the older bodystyles, but right now I can rub my 37's on my nnbs and still need a tab bit of trimmage. it would be really close in my honest opinion.

You might think about buying a whole truck as they seem to be better priced that just buying the axle. I know the ford D60 is pretty hard to find on the west coast. There are a few complete trucks out here in the Denver area for around $1500. There are also some in Oregon, but both locations are quite far from socal and transporting it can add another $500 to the price tag.

Good luck with your search......I tried looking for a deal for about 2 years when I lived in Reno but could never find one for less than $1500. I know most on here hate it but I am going with the AAM with a hub kit and some descent aftermarket ball joints. Should be plenty stong enough for what I use my truck for.