SAS Parts Help

[Tbars4]

i'm curious why your d60 cost so much...did you by it from a reatil store???

 

[IZwack]

i'm curious why your d60 cost so much...did you by it from a reatil store???

D60's, especially ones w/ kingpin knuckles, are hot items. Beside the Ford 9"-based axles, its what a majority of rock buggies use. Strength in general equates to more $$ - unfortunately.

 

[Tbars4]

and the ball joint ones??? are they still a 1k item??? even if they are just sitting around...???

 

[IZwack]

and the ball joint ones??? are they still a 1k item??? even if they are just sitting around...???

For most off-roaders, ball joints vs. kingpin wont make much difference. I cant recall anyone on this forum with a D44 ever breaking a knuckle ball-joint so I doubt the same group would ever break a D60's ball joint. But for competition, kingpin is king especially when a hydraulic cylinder is added to the equation. The kingpin design is generally stronger and easier to maintain.

 

[Tbars4]

if you only knew how many trucks i have sold with d60 kingpins...i could have gone into selling just the axles, lmao...well, maybe i will look into this d60 a little more...is there any problem things i should look for that would make this d60 undesirable to a buyer???

 

[IZwack]

if you only knew how many trucks i have sold with d60 kingpins...i could have gone into selling just the axles, lmao...well, maybe i will look into this d60 a little more...is there any problem things i should look for that would make this d60 undesirable to a buyer???

Yeah half the time its just cheaper to buy the entire truck than buying a pulled axle 'cauz most people selling their late 70s or whatever trucks don't know the value of the axles -- this is what makes off-roading somewhat cheap

The things that would make a D60 undesirable is pretty much the same for any axle 'cauz other than the kingpin option, the D60 is just a larger version of the D44. Typically you'd remove the diff cover and check for rust as this would indicate that water got inside the differential housing. If you're going to swap over to another carrier or non-"lunchbox" locker, then this wont make much of a difference since, in addition to replacing the carrier and gear set, you're probably also going to replace the pinion's bearing races. Of course you'd still want to check the axle shafts for any pitting and such since chances are, you're going to re-use the axle shafts (they're beefy enough as it is - no need to replace if its in good condition). But checking axle shafts means pulling the axle shafts out so this is a little difficult unless the axle is already dissasembled - so in general, if the carrier and ring gear are in good condition, then chances are the axle shafts are good to go too. As for the outer components, everything is easily replacable and pretty cheap EXCEPT for the backing plates -- these are not so hard to find by themselves and of course not all backing plates are the same (chevy vs ford vs dodge).

I'm sure you've already read the PBB article about the D60 but just in case you havent: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/60_front/

 

[Tbars4]

so, 200-300 is a good deal and i could resell it??? as for backing plates and such, my shop is literally walking distance from currie ent. and they carry all that kind of stuff ..

 

[IZwack]

so, 200-300 is a good deal and i could resell it

Yeah thats a very good deal if the axle is in good condition.

 

[mynameisaric]

I'm about 5k into my d60's (front and rear), but that includes new dedenbear knckles, 5.38 gears, front detroit, rear spool, master install kits, kingpin overhaul kits, spindle kits new studs, lug nuts, coils, and the wheels/tires. I still have to get the gears installed and buy all the link components. I will probably be around 6-7k before i can say i'm finished. What i planned on doing 2 months ago with a d44, has accumulated into d60's and not even starting any of the heavy duty work yet.

btw, the 60's (79 f350 kingpin and rear 30 spline) cost me 1k. My 76 d44 8 lug lp and rear 30 spline 60 cost me 300.

so 2-300 for a kingpin d60 is something you should jump on. 2-300 for a balljoint d60 is still something you should seriously consider. the kingpins average about 1k and the balljoints average 5-600

 

[Tbars4]

aric, thanks...good to know...yea, so far i know i don't want to go extreme to d60's, maybe i will make a monster later....project X will be a middle of the road rig and so i'll look into the d60 for a bargaining chip for someone maybe going up from a fw.d44??? i'm figuring if i just look at the axle and it spins freely it will be good for 500 minimum...if it's got 4.56 or bigger gears, 700, with out even tearing her down...does that sound about right???

 

[mynameisaric]

sounds good to me. i'm going with 60's so i dont have to swap axles again. I can just upgrade what i have already. Otherwise, i was doing a 44.