would it be possible to use a dana 70 front axle on a 94-98 k3500? im looking at doing a solid axle swap and wondering if this would be possible or if i should just go with a dana 60

would it be possible to use a dana 70 front axle on a 94-98 k3500? im looking at doing a solid axle swap and wondering if this would be possible or if i should just go with a dana 60


Im pretty sure there is no such thing as a dana 70 front. Anyone want to correct me here? Either way, 70s are kind of lame because they have the same size pinion shaft as the 60, so thats usually the failure point. The bigger ring gear and bigger bearings make it good for hauling alot of weight, but when it comes to taking power i dont think they are any stronger than a 60.

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana70.htm

Closed knuckle looks like. D60 parts more readily available.

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana70.htm

Closed knuckle looks like. D60 parts more readily available.


Yeah, i just dug through some older books here at the shop ( we are a dana distributor) and the only one i found any listings for D70 fronts is dated 1978.

I have some brand spankin new D70F if you want one. Open knuckle of course. I would go 70 if it were me. Bigger housing, 35 spline out of the box, bigger ring gear. my 2 penny's worth.

Im pretty sure there is no such thing as a dana 70 front. Anyone want to correct me here? Either way, 70s are kind of lame because they have the same size pinion shaft as the 60, so thats usually the failure point. The bigger ring gear and bigger bearings make it good for hauling alot of weight, but when it comes to taking power i dont think they are any stronger than a 60.


D70F are definitely stronger than a 60 front. I can take a pic of a broken pile of axles at my shop and there is way more 60's than 70's. The Housing has more webbing, tubes are bigger thicker, inner C's are way thicker, ring gear and bearing are larger. Also 35 spline all the way through.

Some 92-99 C3500HD's that were converted to 4x4 by Tulsa Truck or Monroe had a D70 open knuckle disc brake front axle ;). It was kingpin too IIRC :D. There are some rare D70 fronts out of older 4x4 vans and Dodge W400's. Most W400's had a closed knuckle D70 but some were open. 4500's and 5500's were a D70 front too on the 4x4 models.
I have one from a W400 that is closed knuckle. I was going to have the knuckles off and put aftermarket open knuckles on it and D60 outters but never got it done.