Gentlemen, it's time. I'm looking for a front D60 for my 08 Sahara. I have tried to search around, but we all know how crappy the search function is on this site. I'm looking for others who have write ups of their swaps. I assume most of you have found your junkyard 60's from a Ford, but what years would you suggest and why? After everything (for the front only at this point in time) how much do you have into it? What were the most troubling areas for you? How many times did you curse while fabing the steering and trying to get the electrical components to work? Any sites that might make digging through junkyards a little easier? Spill your knowledge as this swap will be my biggest project so far..

 

[h=3]14 bolt and HP dana 60 in a JK[/h]

 

If you have a stock type suspension setup, going with one that works with an artec swap kit will make things a lot easier for you.

I went with a 2005+ D60, which is pure beef. However, I wouldn't recommend it unless you plan to get a rear axle too as it is significantly wider than the stock JK axles.

 

That's a great resource Heyward! Dr. Dirty helped me with some of the technical challenges we had in doing a Junkyard install of HP Ford D60 & 14Bolt.

Here's my info.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/sema...-312313/page2/

 

Also, car-part.com will make the axle search very easy once you decide. Pirate4x4 has a ton for sale as well.

 

Matching F/R D60s from a Ford 05+ are how much wider than stock?

 

I did a 05 60 and sterling combination. The 05 60 can be as short as 72 inches, but there are wider ones out there so be careful. With the 05 60, you will have a more custom solution for your control arms. The driver side drop is at best 3 inches of tube. I am not sure how coils will sit, but coilovers work well. Nice benefit of the 05 is thicker tubes, 35 spline inners and outers, 1550 u-joints, greater turn radius and 10 inch ring if you choose. Its one beefy axle.

 

Need to do some more research, I will check out your build thread.

 

Agreed here. I thought my f350 was beefy i saw these in person... I should have went that way and ditched the truss

 

As 2climb noted, the front is 72". The matching rear is 70.5. He is correct that there is a wider front version, but you'll know if you find it. It is a 10 lug axle and will be much more expensive. It was found on the F450/550.

Artec makes a swap kit for it now, so it is actually pretty easy to make it work with the JK.

The nice thing is that it's all beef. 35 spline shafts, massive knuckles and C's, ball joints, etc. axle tubes are 3.75" OD and .5" thick wall. Makes a prorock 60 look like weak sauce.

You can pick one up for around $600. I went newer and low mileage and paid $750, but then don't have to replace any worn parts. Already has time rings, so a minor adjustment and it works with electronics. Beyond the axle, the only cost would be brackets and if you want gears/locker. And, a lot of elbow grease to get it cleaned up.

My build thread has pics of front and rear. I added a reid knuckle and custom RCV axle shafts.