Dana 60? 3/4 ton suspension

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sandrider123

Member
So need some opinions I have been thinking about putting in a Dana 60 axle in the rear. Not for 4-wheeling but just so I can do some heavier towing when I want. Which would also mean I am looking for a heavier leaf spring, any suggestions? I really dont know much as far as changing leaf springs out on scouts does someone make a kit to with wider springs? Of course I will narrow the d60 to match the Scout. Or is there some cheaper options that would get a Scout d44 to say the lighter end of the 3/4 ton range?
 
The limiting factor in towing heavy loads with a Scout has more to do with the short wheel base than the axle/suspension. Too much of a load makes the tail wag the dog. The longer wb terra/traveler makes a somewhat better tow platform than the standard sii. From '75 forward, scouts actually came with a gvwr of 6200 lbs. Which classified them as 3/4 ton. This was in response to stricter federal fuel economy standards that all passenger vehicles below that weight rating became subject to.
 
I've don a lot of towing with my Scout II it's a '74 with front discs. Mine's setup with urethane bushings on everything and really stiff rancho 4" lift springs. Imho the weakest link is the brakes. I have experienced some real white knuckle rides with faded brakes, even with trailers with brakes.

The d44 in the rear has been rebuilt 2x both times it broke a tooth on the pinion gear. The first time was due to making a u turn on pavement while in 4x4. A u joint broke with a bang and a week later the pinion failed. The second was probably a combination of a bad rebuild the first time and trying to get a heavy trailer moving up a steep hill in 4l. My d44 has a power lock and it will really chatter pulling a load up hill on switch backs.

I too have thought about going to a d60, even had one ready to narrow at one time, but a friend needed it more than I did and so it goes.

What kind of towing are you planning?
 
The main problem when looking to go 'heavier' is the stock 2" spring - unless you fab a whole new suspension system with all new brackets your stuck... That said:

I'd go for some 2.5" wide Chevy pickup 56" springs or something along those line. Stick to stock height one. Then build a full float 8-lug Dana 60 narrowed to 60" or so, with big disc brakes. Step up to 16" wheels when you go 8-lug to clear the bigger brakes.
 
What do you mean by "kit" ? If you can weld, you can make any spring setup you want in the rear. Just figure out what springs you want and order the hangers for them.

Late 70's Ford 3/4 ton rear ends were Dana 60's, they are 62" wide iirc . Are you going to swap the front to 8 lug?
 
Yes if I go 8 lug I am going all the way around. Most of my towing is hauling dead rice burners home, honda civics size cars mostly but every once in a while a load of four wheelers and a couple sandrails May be in question. What year range are the 2.5" wide 56"springs off of?
 
I don't know the rating, but when I got my Scout II it was equipped with some extremely heavy springs. I expect they May have been custom built. They have 6 leaves plus an overload type flat spring.

If you are interested let me know. I am in milpitas, CA. Shipping wouldn't be wise because they are so very heavy. If you are going to the rally I could bring them. $50 for the pair.
 
sandrider123 said:
yes if I go 8 lug I am going all the way around. Most of my towing is hauling dead rice burners home, honda civics size cars mostly but every once in a while a load of four wheelers and a couple sandrails May be in question. What year range are the 2.5" wide 56"springs off of?
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They were used in 73-87 pickups. 2wd and 4wd had them.
 
The Chevy spring have a 4" offset so you will need new hangers.

The stock Scout springs are 56". You can get those one listed in milpitas, that would be just too easy. Or you can take a set and add a leaf your your pack. Fords f150 springs are close too, as they are 57" springs.

Another option would be add some timbren aeon rubber spring suspension to what you have now.
 
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