Rear axle mods for pulling

[SuperSix-Two]

my buddy is dead set on the idea that my dana 60 failed due to me being retarded and using my W350 as a skidder for some logs.



That Equals:



According to him. So, what do most of you pulling guys do to your axles in the effort to upgrade them?

I am currently running a Dana 60 with Limited slip and 4.10 gears, 80-90w in the diff and factory replacement bearings.

[Ace]

I don't know if the 60 is heavy enough to be in back of a crew cab w/6bt to start with. Visual evidence above might support that contention...

[Oddfire]

[quote="Ace"]I don't know if the 60 is heavy enough to be in back of a crew cab w/6bt to start with. Visual evidence above might support that contention... [/quote


X2!

[Richie O]

He still has a gasser in there. As far as what you had happen and what you do with it. NO. If it were a semi float rear, YES. All that will happen to the rear by abusing it will be busted axle or ring and pinion. You can break all of those and the tire will not come off like that with a full floater. You had a bearing give up for one reason or another. Most likely the nut backed out and wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

[RumbleFish]

my crew had a 60 in the rear. i beat it daily, and it had no problems. i second the nut back off situation.

[SuperSix-Two]

Thats what I think, I believe the little lock on the nut failed when I was driving.

[seeker1056]

A 60 REAR AXLE ISNT ANY GOOD FOR PULLIN - PERIOD
axle shafts are way too small - actually about the same size as a dana 44 front axle - teeney
35" tires will bust a 60 in seconds if you have traction, load, and much more than 300 or so hp

if your gonna spend the money buy a dana 80 if you can, or a dana 70 at least

[MMiller]

In its current application, the dana 60 is enough. You already know what the failure was, and it was not due to the log, or the tires, or the engine. I ran a dana 60 rear with a detroit, stout 440, 4 speed, 410's and 33" super swampers, or 36" super swampers radials. I wheeled it hard, yanked on stuck trucks, pulled logs out with it, used it like a tractor and never had a problem. The only time I tore up the dana 60 was when I hooked it to the sled, put in the blocks, put on the radials, and went pulling. On a nice biting track it would twist off axle shafts with no problems.

If you are planning a repower to a cummins, then I would upgrade to at least a dana 70, but if you have to buy a rear diff, I'd start looking for a dana 80. If you are planning on keeping it like it is, the dana 60 will suffice.

Michael

[GO OVRIT]

I don't know about your area, but GM 14 bolts are a dime a dozen around here. Just stay away from the semi-floaters.