Hotwire

So, locally a pair of Dana 60's from a Dodge came up for sale. 4.88 gears, in fairly good shape.

As I am in the process of building, and would RATHER NOT build up on the D30/35 and then swap to the D60's later only to have spent $$$ on the D30/35's.

The Axles are Ram Gen 1 Rear & Ram Gen 2 Front. the front still has all the steering components no it as well, and its a drivers side drop too.

Should I keep looking? Forget about the D60's?

Thanks a ton!

00t444e

Any Dana 60 swap will require the same amount of fabrication, unless you get a custom built bolt in one that costs big money. That 2nd generation Dodge Dana 60 is a low pinion and has either 30 or 32 spline shafts so it isn't as strong as the Ford Dana 60 that is a high pinion and uses 35 spline shafts, but it will be plenty adequate for an XJ. What size tires do you plan on running?

Hotwire

33" tires. and no more then a 5.5" lift.

But I dont want to put the money or work into a lift that i will have to screw around with later if I bust something on the D30/35 setup and need to swap in something else anyways.

derf

Just curious but why Dana 60's and not something like a Dana 44, Ford 8.8, Chrysler 8.25, etc?

00t444e

With 33s I would just swap out the Dana 35 rear for a Chrysler 8.25, it is a direct bolt in, and keep the front Dana 30, it will hold up fine with 33s, I am planning on running 35s on my Dana 30/8.25 axles with lockers. You don't need Dana 60s unless you want bigger than 35" tires.

4.3L XJ

I agree. D60s are not necessary for 33" tires. Stronger rear axle will do it

2drx4

That Dodge front D60 is a complete waste of time and money. If you want to go with a D60 at least start with a Ford HP version, or better yet just get a Superduty version. The initial purchasing price of the axle is minimal compared with the costs to upgrade them, and low pinion front axles are total garbage.

I'd agree for 33s you're way better off just swapping your rear for a later 8.25/8.8/D44.

00t444e

I wouldn't call a Dodge low pinion Dana 60 garbage, sure it's not as strong as the Ford Dana 60 is but it will handle just about anything underneath an XJ.

2drx4

I said low pinion front axles are total garbage, it was not exclusive to this otherwise not great Dodge axle.

bad_idea

The benefit of the D60 is additional strength at the loss of ground clearance. 33s are well within the capability of the D30 and a 8.25. You will be going backwards in capability swapping to the D60, as you will be dragging the center section.

89eliminator

a dodge 60 is like the dana 35 of dana 60s.

anyways, you do not need 60s for 33s