2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission HP front end

[mikejkd]

Has anyone traded in a high pinion Dana 60 in front to get rid of the component hub setup? I am considering doing this but would like to here what people think. I know there is the conversions out there to get rid of them but I think a hp front is stronger and gets rid of the split front axle and vacuum hole cut in the side.

 

[SRath]

There is a writeup out there on the web about a guy who did exactly that. Easily found if you google it. He put a high pinion Ford live-hub axle in his dodge. I cannot remember for sure if it was a kingpin or balljoint version, (kingpin I'm 90% sure) though anything less than kingpin would be an utter waste of effort, imo. He did his conversion leaving the coil spring and link setup, which really complicates things.

He got it in, but not without sacrificing things like stock ride height and the swaybar. Things I am not willing to do. I am, however doing a 35-spline solid shafts, lockout live bearing hub, dual piston caliper conversion on mine using Ford parts.

Like you, I dislike leaving that sleeved passenger side tube and I detest balljoints. Both are weaknesses. But unless you are willing to really get down and dirty and do a full leafspring conversion (a much better approach imo) or spend $7000 to have Dynatrac or someone build you a custom axle to specs, it is the best you can do with what we have to work with. Some things are just limited on how much they can be "un-screwed", and dodge screwed this frontend and axle to a fare-thee-well.

You can try to find an '02 axle that has no CAD or sleeved tube and simply do a Free Spin-type conversion on it with an upgrade to real 1. 5 inch 35 spline shafts, too. But I think the balljoints are also different for some odd reason and I don't know if the conversion I'm doing would fit them. I'm using everything from the knuckles on out from a ford.

No matter what you do, it will require a significant amount of money. If I had a spare dodge frame to play with, I would find a way to put leafsprings on it and make a real Dana 60 a bolt-in. It doesn't need to be a high pinion. Those are for rockcrawlers and really high lifts. With the massive Dana 80 rear and its inherent poor ground clearance and the extreme weight of these trucks, they just don't make good rock crawlers or highly lifted trucks. But they are really good at other things and deserve a better front axle and steering.

 

[mikejkd]

I thought all ford Dana 60 fronts where HP. Is this not the case? I'll have to look up that article. Do you remember anything else about the article that will help me find it? I looked online last night for info and that one never came up.