[CDW_327]

I found a dana 60 on craigs list, its got 4:10 gears, and the factory limited slip. for only $150 Just wondering if it would just bolt right up?

[jsawduste]

No

[chupacabrah]

almost nothing "bolts right up". I can't really think of anything that does.

[Poke]

cut and paste from a doc I save.....

· Vehicle: '78-79 Ford Bronco, F-150, F-250 (reverse-cut D44 front, left-hand drop) (F-150 had 9" rear, F-250 had Dana 60)
Bolt pattern: 5 on 5.5" (Bronco and F-150) or 8-bolt (F-250)
Width: Way wide (~65")
Brakes: 11" discs
Spline count: 30-spline D44 front, 297 (large style) U-joint
Caster: ???
Other: 297-style U-joints are stronger than the EB flavor, and identical to the '95-present Wrangler D30. The reverse-cut gears are inherently stronger up front than standard-cut gears, and provide a higher pinion with a better driveshaft angle (just like the stock YJ D30). The Ford-style manual hubs are internally-splined rather than held on with 5 or 6 bolts like most others, which makes them stronger and less prone to leakage. They can also be combined with knuckles, spindles, and brakes from a '74-76 SJ or Chevy D44 to get the high-mount steering arms. F-250's had leaf-springs and 8-lug wheels, while Broncos and F-150's had front coils and 5x5.5" wheels. F-150/Bronco outers could be swapped into an F-250 axle to achieve leaf springs with a 5x5.5" bolt pattern, or you could just cut off the coil suspension bracketry (no small task) from an F-150/Bronco axle, or you could use an 8-bolt rear end to match the F-250 front. Another big drawback is the width of the axle. Cutting it down means a broken long-side axle shaft can only fixed with custom hardware. Then again, it could be cut to the same length as an SJ long-size shaft, allowing use of an SJ shaft instead of a custom-cut F-150 shaft. Front differential location (at least on F-150/Bronco) is identical to the early Bronco (3-4" closer to center than YJ D30). Like early Broncos, the stock tie rod / knuckle mounting holes lose turning radius, but this can be fixed with the high-steering mod. Most (all?) F-250's came with 4.11 gears. Some 1/2-tons had 4.11's, though most had higher gears. I don't know anyone that's done this swap on a YJ.

[Krochus]

The only thing that "bolts right up" is gonna be a $1000++ aftermarket application specific axle. So you can just get that idea out of your head now.

[dan240]

A Ford 8.8 from a Ford Explorer is the closest thing you are going to find to a bolt in axle. They have been swapped into Jeeps a lot. You can use the search function to see what's involved.

Good-luck

[charlestrm]

I might have one of those 8.8 ready to "bolt up" for sale." (its currently under my jeep)

[turtlerace]

Originally Posted by charlestrm

I might have one of those 8.8 ready to "bolt up" for sale." (its currently under my jeep)

Pretty sure it won't 'bolt up' to his YJ.

[JFranko]

Originally Posted by dan240

A Ford 8.8 from a Ford Explorer is the closest thing you are going to find to a bolt in axle. They have been swapped into Jeeps a lot. You can use the search function to see what's involved.

Good-luck

Even those won't just bolt in. Still a little fab work that needs to be done. Generally, the only parts that will bolt up are parts that came from the same model. There are some exceptions, and axles typically aren't one.

[gearhead1985]

no the axle will not bolt in

you will need new perches and shock tabs welded on

and unless you are running 35"+ tires you will hang up on every thing

but if you want to buy it and give it to me i will gladly except it