Dedenbear/Reid Dana 60 knuckles

MidwayJeremy

Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Location
Huntersville, NC
Does anyone run these? Are they worth the investment to run on a Cherokee or is it overkill??
I'm running a 79 ford kingpin HP60 will be running 42s with stock 4.0L so no high horsepower.
Just seeing what everyone recommends
 
Not a bad idea on a ford 60, even just with hydro assist. That being said, I just ordered one of the ford knuckle gusset kits being sold on pirate for under $60. Everything I've read shows that as long as you weld them right they won't break. But if you've got the money sitting around why not throw on a set of nice orange knuckles.
 
If you haven't bought high steer arms for the 60 yet in would look at Solid knuckles. Their key way is really nice and strong. We run them here at the shop and we can get you a good deal
 
I've seen stock knuckles break with a 6cyl & 39's more than once. Mine are plated and have been through hell with a V8/42's, no issues. Aftermarket knuckles sure look good though.
 
Your stock knuckles may already be cracked. Clean them up good, and take a look. The driver side knuckle is particularly prone to cracking due to the stock truck steering setup. That was the case on my Ford HPD60. I ended up going with the Dedenbear knuckles.
 
I like the Reid Racing Knuckles; five studs, super thick casting all-the way around, just an overall well-built knuckle. They are certainly a beefy set-up and seeing the orange on my rig makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. The Solid knuckles are pretty trick too, and I do like the keyway. It's just one of those parts that if it breaks, you're pretty much dead in the water; unless you have some magical booty-fab trail repair skills. Call Chase @ECGS for some of those bling Reid Knuckles, and I'm sure Alex can hook you up with something "solid" as well.

-J.R.
 
ECGS keeps the Reids in stock and we also carry the Solid stuff as well. Either are good choices but we sell a lot more of the Reids because they are upgrades when people already have their steering arms, etc. and the Solids would require a change.
 
So with doing the knuckles (Reid or Solid) would require what else in addition? I like the Solid ones but do they require additional modification to work? New kingpin rebuild kit for each side? What about bottom of the knuckle does any thing have to be pressed in? Also my plan is to run crossover steering with hiem joints and just run a hi steer arm only on passenger side and a block off plate on drivers....of course with hydro assist.....does this seem like a good start? I'm just not sure what all needs to be replaced with new on a d60 as far as ball joint/kingpin area.... I'm use to upper and lower ball joints as that's it
 
The Solid knuckles only require their high steer arm and a cap on the other side. King pin rebuilds wouldn't be a bad idea since you're already in there. Reid's don't require anything, its just like swapping a stock knuckle in.
 
Would you do only the top with a full rebuild then on bottoms just replace the bearing and seal and keep lower stock cap?
 
I would only replace what is worn out, and roll out.
 
They seem to turn pretty freely but don't feel worn out.
But I am gunna upgrade to some Reid knuckles so I don't wanna replace something that doesn't need replaced....but don't wanna have any problems out of a 79 model axle on trail...and people are gunna say well replace it all but I am on a budget still....
Just seeing what everyone else is doing.
 
running reids on my 79 ford 60 with full hydro and no problems what so ever. definitely beefier than stockers and they also seem to work very well in their range of motion paired up with the 8" ram.
 
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