Front Dana 60 is in the chero

[Hammer]

Yesterday I finally put the front DRW dana 60 into my cherokee.
I had 4" lift springs with the stock dana 44, and after putting the old stock springs on the daan 60, SOA, it sits almost the same height!
It's a little hard to tell, because the tires are taller. But the overall height of the frame has barely changed!

I now have three issues to solve with the new front axle.

The bolt on the caliper for the brake lines is smaller then the stock 44 had.
I used the smaller bolt through the banjo fitting for now, but I want/need longer lines anyways, so I will try and kill two birds with one stone.
Is this smaller bolt a normal thing for d60 axles?

Next, I need to make a new drag link (after I put the stock pitman arm back on). Right now I can turn all the way to the left, but not to far to the right.
I have a high steer arm on for the drag link, so with the drop pitman arm, the drag link actually tilts DOWN to the pitman arm, lol.

Third, I need to make new shock mounts. The stock mounts on the 60 axle are actually in a good place, but at bad angles. I could bend/weld them into the correct angle, but figured it would be easier to just make new ones.
Kind of thinking about using the taller upper shock mounts like mentioned in other threads, then mounting the shock to the top of the axle tube (or wherever my length measurements come out best at.)
I already have a set of Rancho 9000's to go in there, but I need to flex it out fully to see where I need to mount them (and check for where I need to put the bump stops).

I will have pictures soon.
And it's nice to get some progress on this project.
The good part is that I have been driving it off/on since I finished the last stage of this project. So it hasn't been sitting.

Next up, the rear axle (dana 70HD).
After that, stroker 401, th400/np205 combo goes in.

[Dmntxn77]

Congrats on the progress!

Thats odd... My D60 banjo bolt was larger. I had to bore out the block on the end of the line to make it fit...

What tie rod are you using? Did you D60 come with a big heavy duty one that is adjustable on both ends (as oppose to a collar)? Eitherway, it sounds like a good time to get a custom draglink made up.

For the shock mounts.... I am going to go with some F250 towers like others have done. They look like that they will put the shock at a much better angle. I dont plan to cut off my lower mount until I see how much adjustment the new towers will give me....

BTW.. :worthless:

[Hammer]

The drag link is the long piece from the 44's drag link, with the sleeve, and the big TRE from the 60 that has the longer shank. I had made on previously for a quick mock up, but it was even shorter then this one.
My goal is to run the larger TREs on both ends of the drag link, but I need to ream out the stock pitman arm first. After I figure out the length, I will make a BEEFY setup. Still sticking with TRE's though, just the big ones ;)


http://froadin.com/cherokee/chero_60_corner.jpg

http://froadin.com/cherokee/chero_60_under.jpg

[Hammer]

And yes, I know the springs are not fully seated on the axle yet.
I still need to make the plates I will use to relocate the springs a bit further forward. I should hopefully include the angle in those plates, but I have to see how the plates turn out first.

[AlsChopShop]

looking good.... are you keeping the amount of lift you have or are you going to flip the main so the eyes are down like you talked about before?

what size are those tires on the front?

Al

[Hammer]

Those are 39.5" tires on the front.
I don't really need to flip the main leaf because the stock springs sag enough to keep my lift where I want/need it.
I won't fully know what lift I have until the rear is done. And then I have to relocate the axles to allow for full stuff. Hopefully the amount of lift from the SOA will be all I need.

So even though I got 6-7" lift from the SOA, compared to the 4" lift springs I got from you Al, the SOA with stock springs is maybe 1" higher (comparing the frame height), if that!

[JeepinPete]

Brake hoses from a '82 G30 Chevy van are longer and use a smaller banjo bolt. I had to drill them out to use on the stock calipers.

[Sambo]

looking good tho!:thumbsup:

[68glad]

My goal is to run the larger TREs on both ends of the drag link, but I need to ream out the stock pitman arm first.

http://froadin.com/cherokee/chero_60_corner.jpg


http://froadin.com/cherokee/chero_60_under.jpg
Won't the stock pitman accept the big tre already?

[Hammer]

Won't the stock pitman accept the big tre already?
The threads barely stick through, which means that very little of the actual shank is fitting into the pitman arm.
So, nope, won't work.
They both thread into the same drag link, so designing the drag link itself won't be affected by the TRE (other then length of it, short or long, etc).

[misfittom138]

Nice. :thumbsup:

[djmac]

I now have three issues to solve with the new front axle.

Next, I need to make a new drag link (after I put the stock pitman arm back on). Right now I can turn all the way to the left, but not to far to the right.
I have a high steer arm on for the drag link, so with the drop pitman arm, the drag link actually tilts DOWN to the pitman arm, lol.

I did the identical swap last winter including the HD D70 with a detroit locker. Much more capable in the mud now. The only thing I am would like to correct is the turning radius. I have a 4" DPA with Crossover steering and I cannot turn lock to lock. Do you have the same issue? Got a plan?

[Hammer]

I can turn all the way to the passenger's side, but not all the way to the driver's side. Only reason I see for this right now is that the drag link isn't long enough.

Cross over, does the drag link go to the top of the axle, or still back down to the tie rod like stock does?

[AlsChopShop]

I can turn all the way to the passenger's side, but not all the way to the driver's side. Only reason I see for this right now is that the drag link isn't long enough.sounds like your drag link is too long. if you can't turn all the way to the right it would be too short.

Al

[Hammer]

Ack, whatever way it didn't turn, I know the thing is too short.
I had the tires lined up straight, and the steering wheel centered (based on lock to lock), and the drag link was a few inches too short.

Funny thing, I typed it out the other way, then had a brain prolapse and changed it.

Now I will need to go turn the bloody wheels just to see it again... ;)

[AlsChopShop]

it happens. when i tell my girl to turn left she goes right... ;)

Al

[El Jefe]

dude, i love your Cherokee.

[Hammer]

Ok, Al, you were right...

Alex, yeah, me too ;)

[krek]

That's looking great!

[Hammer]

Thanks for the kind words guys!

I wish I had more time to work on this sucker.

Between my back being FUBAR and working two + jobs, I am a little short on time to properly work on this puppy.

[Slick Willie]

What high steer arm are you running on that passenger side? Sure looks high compared to my Ford, and my HSA is thick. (I realize your pitman arm makes it look worse, but it still looks high)

[Hammer]

I made the arm.
So it will be about 1/4" to 1/2" higher then a normal arm.
I would have to measure it to be exact.
Still not that much higher then a normal high steer arm would be though.
The TRE on the arm is the 1 ton TRE, so it sits higher as well.

[AlsChopShop]

Thanks for the kind words guys!

I wish I had more time to work on this sucker.

Between my back being FUBAR and working two + jobs, I am a little short on time to properly work on this puppy.your wife afraid to get dirty all of a sudden? ;)

Al