Dana 60 swap from van to '69 LWB 250

[cjohn2000]

Since my 8 speed t18 ranger overdrive project is taking the long term range project, I am thinking about changing the rear end ratio. The truck itself is a '69 f250 cs 390 ranger. As far as I know from what ive read it should have a dana 60. Im not sure on the current gearing other than its low, havent put a tach on it but it seems like its at 3000rpm at 55. Rather than spend big bucks for a ring and pinion for a 46 year old rear end, I was thinking about swapping a rear end from a newer van with a higher gear ratio, disc brakes and still run my 16.5's. Been doing a little research into this but not sure if this would swap and is this even a good swap if Im restoring this truck to tow like a modern truck. Any ideas, advice, experience? Thanks Corey

[eggman918]

About 20 years ago The 60 in my F-250 died i ended up finding a 60 from a Dodge truck for the right price.To get it to fit in my truck i had to relocate the spring perches,it was not difficult but there are a few things to consider you need to get the perch spacing right and the pinion angle the same as your existing rear end.I used a protractor to level the perches on my existing axle then checked the angle of the pinion yolk and recorded that angle then i cut the welds between the perches and axle to remove them if you use care you can remove enough weld that they will come off with a couple of blows from a 3lb hammer and leave the radius from the factory to make relocation easy.Then removr the perches from the donor axle use the protractor to set the pinion angle to the same angle set the old perches at the correct width and spacing as your origonal use a level to level them tack weld them on all 4 corners recheck the pinion angle and that the perches are level that weld them in then recheck both.One advantage of doing this is most likely you will be upgrading from 16 spline axles to 30 spline axles and possibly better brakes,remember to keep track of what the axle came from you will need it down the line to order parts one other thing to consider is that the new axle may not use the same U joint as yours so you may need to switch the pinion yoke also.

[cjohn2000]

Well about three weeks ago I was in the local pull your self yard and found a rear axle with discs in a '99 e350 van. I had taken some measurements off my dana 60 and this rear end in the van was the same width. Long story short I picked up a dana 80 w/ discs and calipers, no abs for about $200.. I will need to relocate spring and shock mounts and maybe put a different ring and pinion, but all things considered I think it was a pretty good score.