64 3/4 8 lug rear end swap "Eaton out Dana in" Opinions?

[Texasdeere]

I have a 64 C20 with the Eaton HO52 rear with 4.56 gears. Originally I was going to put in a 700R4 to replace the powerglide to get the rpms down. I am thinking now about a Dana 70 with the 3.54 gear set instead. I know there were a lot of these in 3/4 ton Dodge trucks and also in some 70's chevy 3/4 ton trucks.

I think some of the Chevys had the Dana with coil spring set up but I am not sure. This might be good for less fab work. I am likely going to have someone do the work for me once I find everything needed.

Anyone done this before?

Thanks

[chopped65]

I am removing my Eaton and putting in a Dana 60 from a chevy with 4.10s. Changing suspension completely so don't have to worry about mounts and narrowing so dont have to worry about length. Dana's are great axles.

[Texasdeere]

Yeah, I guess a Dana 60 would work too. I may just cut the brackets and coil perches of the Eaton to use on the Dana.

[Captainfab]

Some of the C20's in the '67-'72 range came with Dana 60 rear ends, and with the coil spring suspension. I have a Dana 60 from a '71 C20 big block truck that has 3.54 gears.

[Texasdeere]

I was thinking there were some coil spring set ups in the 67-72 C20 trucks. Not sure if anything would line up right with a coil spring Dana 60 on my 64 but it is worth a try.

[sailed2japan]

you'd probably have to do the same thing as swapping in a 5 lug from a 72. If my gray matter is operating correctly, the only difference is the (*Edit*) Panhard Bar mount. I believe yours is on the pumpkin and the Dana 60 would be over towards the passengers side.

[Captainfab]

All the differentials whether C10 or C20, Dana 60 or Eaton will bolt up to the trailing arms with no problem, providing they came from a trailing arm/coil spring truck. The only issue may be the panhard bar. The Eaton will have the longer panhard bar and the Dana 60 will use the shorter one.

[sailed2japan]

Oops, that's what I meant to say. thanks captainfab.

[Texasdeere]

I noticed my truck has the coil spring pads and shock mounts on the trailing arms. The trailing arms are connected to the axle with big U-bolts. The only thing mounted to the Eaton axle is the panhard bar. So far every Dana 60 or 70 I find has the leaf spring set up.

[duallyjams]

Thought about using a corp14 it would be easy to find one.

[factorystock]

My opinion is your first idea was easier. Replace the powerglide with a 700R4. You already ahead in having an automatic column and don't have to worry about the bellhousing crossmember. Why the aftermarket hasn't stepped up to the plate and reproduce some 3.54 gears for the HO52 is a mystery to me. Don't they realize ($$$$$) there are over 20 years ( 48 thru 72 3/4 tons )classics with HO52's? But then agian, most people didn't appreciate these classic trucks till way late.

[1/2Dozen]

Tex- I have the same setup, i'll be curious as to what you decide to do. Post pics and details of the swap.

[Texasdeere]

Here are some pictures of the elusive Dana. I think this is from a 67-72 truck and sold on here a while back.

[pope]

The 60's GMC trucks usually had dana axles versus the eaton axles on both coil and leaf spring suspensions. If you look around you can find them still under the trucks at salvage yards. I just gave a semi floater dana 60 from a 63 gmc 1/2 ton to my cousin. They were called spicer axles then, and the bonus is you can easily retain the original park brake system with little if any changes to what you already have and what you get from a donor truck.

[pope]

P.S. I also know of a set of 3.90 gears for an H052.... Not really sure how long the guy will wait for me to buy them since I still have 9 months left of this deployment...

[thefalconer_88]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

All the differentials whether C10 or C20, Dana 60 or Eaton will bolt up to the trailing arms with no problem, providing they came from a trailing arm/coil spring truck. The only issue may be the panhard bar. The Eaton will have the longer panhard bar and the Dana 60 will use the shorter one.

Hey, quick question? I'm doing a swap on my 3/4 ton with a 71 1/2 ton rear. Should I use half ton u bolts? Should I use the short track bar? Or transfer the 3/4 ton mount?

[Captainfab]

There is no difference between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton U-bolts. If you are lowering your truck much, I would go with the long panhard bar. If you do go with the short bar, you will either have to change the frame mount, or put a slight bend in the panhard bar.

Originally Posted by thefalconer_88

Hey, quick question? I'm doing a swap on my 3/4 ton with a 71 1/2 ton rear. Should I use half ton u bolts? Should I use the short track bar? Or transfer the 3/4 ton mount?

[thefalconer_88]

Thanks Captain!