Dana 60 steering question

[Detroit Dan]

I've lifted some live axle Dana 44 Chevys before, and had to add a dropped steering arm. Looking at lifts for my 'new' 82 K30, and every kit says for 3/4 ton. All the steering arms I can find advertised say they are for Dana 44s. So what do I do to lift the steering on a Dana 60? If it makes a difference, which i doubt, it is a rare automatic hub version.

 

[83GMCK2500]

If I were you: Crossover steering.

I'd like to find a Dana 60 for my 83, and when I do it'll get crossover steering.

 

[woodchuck2]

I dont know much about about GM's but i dont see why the steering would be different. All my friend shave just swapped in the D-60 with no issues with steering. I do know that the leaf spring plate/sway bar connects are different between D-44 and D-60.

 

[BigBlueChevy]

When you lift a solid axle your springs are going to be taller. Stock steering arms usually will hit and rub the springs as they flex which can cause damage to your steering componants. If you have crossover steering(passenger side knuckle has arm going to drop pitman arm all connected by drag link), its as simple as getting a spacer block under the steering arm to get it to clear the leafs while everything is flexing. However, if its bump steeer(back to front-from drives side knuckle directly to steering box), usually its not as big of a deal, maybe a spacer block with longer studs. But the biggest thing you want to do for steering is make sure the steering arms, be it crossover or bump steer, aren't contacting anything they shouldnt be. And there should be plenty of room for them to move around. "Close" will make you sorry later on...

If you have bump steer, I recommend just going to crossover steering since you'll be lifting it anyway. Of course all of this depends on how much lift your actually adding.

Speak with companys like WFO concepts, Offroad unlimited, and Offroad Design. All of them have on site CNC machining capabliities and chances are if you have a steering specific question, they will be able to really give you insight on what to look for. They sure helped me out with the Dana 44:thumbsup: