Dana Axles

I'm gonna do my best, should know within a week the guys intentions, the truck is in the shop, his new axles in the bed, oh but of course he is out of town for work. As soon as he is back I can begin begging.

 

I would keep looking personally. While any 60 is gonna be great for you, I personally would prefer a Kingpin 60 over a BJ 60 anyday. Kingpins were only made for a short time, and are pricey, but stronger.

And you first must ask yourself, do you really need a Solid Axle? Or better yet, do you really need your truck (meaning in a its their when I need to use it to drive/haul/etc). Because once you SAS it, unless it is done perfect, the truck will never be the same. Thats why so many people SAS their truck and sell it within a year or two.

 

You have to remember how heavy these new Tacomas are. A Ford D60 in front is ideal in strength, width and diff offset. The only downside to a 2000 Ford D60 is the balljoints-vs-kingpins. The older axles had kingpins.

Do Not install a D44 in that truck!!!

 

Agreed on all counts.

I have built these trucks on solid axles and as you say, if they're done right, they are a real pleasure to drive. One of them we call a "Tacoma HD".

 

My buddy at work put it it great today, its putting a 1 ton axle on a 1/16th ton truck!!! haha overkill done right.

 

If BJ's are so bad, why do they use them in the rock jock housings? People put down the new style ford axles for no reason I believe. Kingpins are really only superior when it comes to KOH style wheeling. Otherwise Bj 60's are perfect.

Eh, our trucks are more-so on the 1/2ton side than anything. The classifications for trucks is stupid IMO. Tacoma can haul #1300 so it should be like a 5/8th ton.

 

When designing and planning for the "perfect build", kingpin knuckles are just that...perfect. They are bombproof for the average, even hardcore occasional wheeler. KOH trucks use them because they are the best you can get. Balljoints do wear out eventually, but then so do kingpins, the difference in performance is in the time frame. Kingpins last much, much longer.

Let's not forget the options and parts variety associated with kingpin knuckles, like steering arm adaptability. Sure, you can get Balljoint knuckles with the same features but you can use junkyard kingpin knuckles and save a few bucks.

Don't get me wrong, I would install a BJ housing in my truck or a customer's, but I'm talking "perfect world" scenario here.

 

Just overbuild it. You know you want to.

 

That sir is the truth!!!!!!

So when someone asks why.. i can say just because!!!!

 

The Dana 60 crate axle is suppose to be a kingpin design.

 

That's good news. Originally you thought it would be a balljoint axle.

 

great thread, im in need of a dd car now... slowly and steady the sas will be here