Ok, I am changing out the front axle, dana 44, on my 01 1500 with a dana 60 axle off a 98 2500. I found out that the cam bolts on the control arms are not the same. The cams are about an 1/8 different in diameter, so even if I can modifie the bolt holse on the dana 60 the cams wont fit. Does anyone know of any issues with just changing the cam bots on the lower control arm. i figured I could drill out the holes for the upper control arms and use the bolts off of my truck, but will need to order the cam bolts for the dana 60 so the cams will fit. Any suggestions or comments?
Thanks,

 

You realize that the d60 is eight lug, right?

Grab the control arms for the axle from the donor as well, if you can.

 

Ya, I do realize it is 8 lug, changed the rear axle first. Don't have access to donor parts just the axle.

 

Oh..... Cool.

Go to the junkyard then, and see if you can't scare some up. U-joints are going to be different on the axle end of the driveshaft as well.

There are a couple of online sites you may be able to source them from as well. (used) MintonAutoParts being one.

 

ya, this little project started because whoever had the truck before me put a 3.92 rear end in the truck. so I couldnt find a 1500 rearend with the right gear ratio, so I bought these axles from my brother. i have found a cam bolt kit at rock auto, but it doesnt say if it has both bolts included. I would rather go back with new bolts if I could. but since the bolt holes and cams are smaller on the 98 2500, I didnt know if there would be a problem with a little slope in the control arm bushings. i also found out that the control arms on the 98 2500 are about 1 inch shorter than the control arms on the 01 1500. i plan on drilling out the upper bolt holes on the axle and use the 1500 bolts for the top mount. all the mount dimensions for the two axles match up except the bolt size for the control arms. Just wondered if any one else has been through this already and if they have any suggestions.

 

Bolts and holes are SMALLER on the heavier truck? That seems rather strange..... Can't have slop between the bolt, and the sleeve though. You will get all sorts of strange behavior from your steering...... I would assume a 'kit' comes with two cam bolts, nuts, and washers though...... (one for each side.)

Wonder if you could get different bushings for your existing control arms? I also wonder if the mounting points for the control arms are further back on the heavier axle?

 

no its cuz a 60 is a much wider axle, centered in the same spot as the 44, using the same frame mount location. so use the 2500 arms if possible... lots have done this swap, i just bought a 2500 in the first place so sorry im not much help...

 

can't use the control arms off the 2500, they are an inch shorter. I also checked the bushings to see if I can change them out. The bushing OD is different. I also have to change the drive shaft as the dana 60 has a longer differential case. I knew this before going in. I checked all the mounting dimensions before I started just didn't think that the 2500 used smaller bolts, figured they were the same. I ordered two kits just in case they don't have two bolts. I will check more online to see if there is a conversion bushing for the control arms. I just figured there would be more on the web about someone putting dana 60 axles on different vehicles.

 

^^^ the control arms are shorter to compensate for the larger axlehousing

 

The FAQ/DIY section is awesome. LOL https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...dana-60-a.html