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Howdy all! I found an 84 Dodge W350 with Dana 60s front and rear and 4.10s. It's pretty cheap and I was wondering if this would be a good swap into a 76 Waggy. I wouldn't be going bigger than 37"s (if that). I heard the axles are the right width, but do they "bolt in"? Does it matter if the front D60 is low pinion? Any other thoughts?

First off, the Dodge axles will be spring over. This isn't a big deal since you'll be lifting to clear 37s.

Yours is probably a passenger side drop as well, correct?

The biggest hurdle is spring mount distance vs the original axles. If I remember correctly, the perch distance on those square bodied Dodges is 32 1/2". I no longer have my 85 W350, or I could measure for you.

The low pinion design is technically a bit weaker in the front (due to the way the gears mesh), but I doubt you'll have any issues, especially since 4x4s have ran low pinion fronts for a looooong time with no ill effects.

The front spring perches are like 1/2" farther apart than on an FSJ. I have seen plenty of people just pull the springs to bolt them up, let the bushings absorb the difference. The rear will need new perches welded as I recall. They are also close, but I don't recall them being close enough.

But if the price is right, hard to beat a set of D60s.

Stuka wrote:The front spring perches are like 1/2" farther apart than on an FSJ. I have seen plenty of people just pull the springs to bolt them up, let the bushings absorb the difference. The rear will need new perches welded as I recall. They are also close, but I don't recall them being close enough.

But if the price is right, hard to beat a set of D60s.

Yeah, I should have clarified "front perch width". Those are the most important IMO due to the passenger side perch being cast into the diff housing.

I blame it on being tired after work and the gym.

Thanks for the info! The jeep already has a 6" BJs lift, so I'd probably make it spring under and put the mounts where they'd need to be width-wise. Anyone know how wide the Dodge axles are compared to narrow track FSJ? I knows they'll fit, just curious on the difference. Thanks!

imacarfan2 wrote:Thanks for the info! The jeep already has a 6" BJs lift, so I'd probably make it spring under and put the mounts where they'd need to be width-wise. Anyone know how wide the Dodge axles are compared to narrow track FSJ? I knows they'll fit, just curious on the difference. Thanks!

Making a D60 spring under is pretty hard. You would be far better off to get stock springs and go spring over. Better ride, better flex, and way less work.

Stuka wrote:

imacarfan2 wrote:Thanks for the info! The jeep already has a 6" BJs lift, so I'd probably make it spring under and put the mounts where they'd need to be width-wise. Anyone know how wide the Dodge axles are compared to narrow track FSJ? I knows they'll fit, just curious on the difference. Thanks!

Making a D60 spring under is pretty hard. You would be far better off to get stock springs and go spring over. Better ride, better flex, and way less work.

Yep. You're talking about modifying a cast iron housing spring over style perch to a spring under. Lots of tedious fab work pre-heat, post-heat, etc.

I'm trying to go through my info from my swap.
El Choco Beasty is an 84 with 92 W250 Dana 60f and Dana 70 rear and 37" militarys but, I swapped an LT1/ 4L60e/ NP241c along with the axles.

Stuka is right, there is only like 1/2" difference in the spring pad width, you can knock the spring so it sets on the front pads, no big deal there.
You will need to go High Steer on the 60F because original steering linkages interfere with the springs *(I may be wrong about this one, I didn't keep the stock springs on very long before I mocked up with the 3" Waggy lift springs to match the lift that the Suburban springs gave on the rear.)
The rear spring pads could be removed and new ones set for the Waggy measurement, again only a @1/2" on each perch, the Waggy was actually wider!
Get a passenger drop transfer case
If you are going to do 37", you need to use a different rear spring which is longer, this will move the axle center line to the rear of the rig. I think most use the Chevy Truck spring which is 63", I used a Suburban which was 60".
You will probably need to cut your fenders for the 37" tires.
New drive shafts and yokes
Are you doing an engine trans swap also? If not, look up info on Chevy transfer case adapters to TF727.
Different transfer case shifter
I don't have a number on the axle width differences right now, I can get them for you tomorrow but, the 60/70 is definitely wider.

PM me your direct email and I will try to send you some pics.
Dan

Also, be advised that the axles are 65" vs the Waggy 60". A 12-13" tire will stick out a lot further with the Dodg axles requiring even more fender trimming. Your rear tubs are shallow and will require huge lift to get big tires under it.