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want new hardware for front diff- dana 60 U-bolts.

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Old 02-10-2015 | 06:45 AM
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crossy's Avatar
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want new hardware for front diff- dana 60 U-bolts.

I need help getting the right parts in a hurry. We bought these for Brandon’s truck a few years ago, but Napa is no longer showing a direct listing for the front ones, they want dimensions to match up with universal I guess. Anyway I am looking for the correct U-bolts and tall nuts for the front Dana 60 diff. As I MEASURED them,the two on the left are 3” ID and 10” long x 9/16” fine and the right side one only is 3-3/4” IDx 10” long x 9/16” fine.. I saw some kits that even had the two studs for the inboard right side, but the dimensions of the U-bolts were wrong. Hook me up fellas. Thanx, Crossy
Old 02-10-2015 | 07:14 AM
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Go to a truck shop and have them make you the proper u - bolts.

Every kit I have seen had the wrong length stud in it, Just use bolts.
Old 02-10-2015 | 07:19 AM
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I can vouch for the kit from venture truck parts being correct dimensions, except the diameter is 5/8 instead of 9/16 and will need the spring plates drilled.
Stengel brothers spring also stocks the proper size u bolts as well, but their dimensions are all screwed up in their catalog.
Old 02-10-2015 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by BILTIT
Go to a truck shop and have them make you the proper u - bolts.

Every kit I have seen had the wrong length stud in it, Just use bolts.
Exactly what I do. Takes about an hour, and you have what you want in your hands, and that's if they don't stock it, and have to fabricate it there.


Can't get much faster than that.
Old 02-10-2015 | 08:48 AM
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they closed the only truck(Bridgeton Spring works) place i knew of that could do that. Jersey bud i saw one kit that had the 5/8 and all other dimensions looked right, but now i can't find it again. since i plan to replace all i never thought of just using the larger diameter as long as those two studs are still the 9/16" ---thanx .
Old 02-10-2015 | 09:41 AM
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eBay item number:
360842156785

Note they are quite expensive. For guys that don't need the studs, I strongly recommend stengel brothers since it will be only 20 bucks or so. I'm running a set of theirs on my 92. They sell theirs in 5/8 too for those that want the upgrade.
Frustrating part is everyone measures these things different despite what I thought was an industry standard. Factory parts book is good for thread size and length but not diameter. pretty sure the small ones are like 3 1/16 or so and the housing u bolt is 4 1/16. I think I used 4 1/8 and they fit fine.
Old 02-10-2015 | 10:21 AM
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Thanx Jersey -it would be nice if they gave any description at all. lol
I'm going to T-mod(farmer rig) this new purchase with allthread just to get it on the trailer. The new springs are already being shipped. probably the day AFTER i T-mod it - the new stuff will come in the mail. , but i want time to do everything right once i get it home. thanx again.
Old 02-10-2015 | 10:51 AM
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The guys at my local spring shop only took about 5 minutes to bend up new U-bolts for my truck. I just told him what I had, 1st Gen with a dana 60.....he didn't even need to check anything...just walked out and grabbed the rods he needed and bent them up as I watched. Stuff fit perfect! Guess he knows his stuff!
Old 02-10-2015 | 04:00 PM
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I found what I needed here .
U-BOLTS
Old 02-10-2015 | 10:59 PM
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1/2 x 3.25 x 9 in long round top for driver's side
1/2 x 4.25 x9 in long round top for pass side
1/2 x2 5/8 x 14 in long square top for rear

just bought a set today
Old 02-11-2015 | 07:08 AM
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1/2" u bolts are too small/weak for the front ends of our trucks, imo.
Old 02-11-2015 | 10:43 AM
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I've run 5/8" ubolts before. you need to mill/drill out the plates to fit though. The 5/8" will have what seems like a significantly higher clamping force than the 9/16". So much though that you might need to watch fort any bending of said plates.
Old 02-11-2015 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by PapeCAT
I've run 5/8" ubolts before. you need to mill/drill out the plates to fit though. The 5/8" will have what seems like a significantly higher clamping force than the 9/16". So much though that you might need to watch fort any bending of said plates.
I made some redesigned plates for that reason
Old 02-11-2015 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by BILTIT
1/2" u bolts are too small/weak for the front ends of our trucks, imo.
From what I understand, 1/2" u bolts are for the dana 44 axle, and not the Dana 60's which came with 9/16" u bolts.

I could be wrong, but after disassembling a couple of these trucks, and found 9/16" u bolts, it seems to be what was on there, although knowing chrysler, they might have used the 1/2" to save a penny here or there.
Old 02-11-2015 | 01:22 PM
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Yes i am pretty sure the 9/16" was stock, i think i went to 5/8" but cannot recall now.


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