Looking for a specific Dana 60 truss

Jody Treadway

Jody Treadway

Croc wearing fool
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Mar 20, 2005
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Hendersonville, NC
My post-Windrock Ranger inspection yielded a slight gear oil leak through the plug welds on my front diff. Now's the time to shore up those axle tubes and prevent catastrophic failure.

I have very little available real estate on top of my front axle, so a common C to C truss like numerous vendors carry is out. All that I have room for is a low profile bridge style with the integrated diff cover tie-in. So far, I have only found that style available via Under Cover Fabworks.
To be clear, the truss needs to be identical to this one in terms of having a small footprint on the axletube. It also needs to be as low profile as possible too due to oil pan clearance. That is why a more commonly available truss like many different vendors carry won't work. It has to only run from just past the casting of the center section as tightly as possible on each side. It cannot extend down the tubes.
ucf-dana-60-rear-truss-system.jpg


Before I pull the trigger with them. Is anyone aware of any other vendor(s) who sell this style? BTF has them listed, but out of stock. Based on past leadtime shenannigans with them, they aren't an option. Motobilt, Barnes, RuffStuff, Chassis Unlimited among others do not list this type.

I need go get the most low profile kit out there due to packaging constraints and not being a fan of my my truss and crankshaft making sweet love to one another.
 
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Ok I see what you are saying now.
 
I have trouble thinking of this type design as a "truss".

Its really more of a link mounting pad, and isnt going to net a large benefit to bending stiffness.
 
Falko said:
I have trouble thinking of this type design as a "truss".

Its really more of a link mounting pad, and isnt going to net a large benefit to bending stiffness.
Click to expand...

I'm using it as a means of tieing the axle tubes and center section together more than as a truss. Once the bridge is welded, I can extend down the length of the tube as I see fit to further strengthen the tube. I am primarily doing this to keep the tube(s) from spinning any further.
My tubes are welded but the long side weld developed a hairline crack and I look to address with a mechanical tie in in addition to re-welding the tube to the center.
 
Jody Treadway said:
I'm using it as a means of tieing the axle tubes and center section together more than as a truss. Once the bridge is welded, I can extend down the length of the tube as I see fit to further strengthen the tube. I am primarily doing this to keep the tube(s) from spinning any further.
My tubes are welded but the long side weld developed a hairline crack and I look to address with a mechanical tie in in addition to re-welding the tube to the center.
Click to expand...
Ahh, a reaction arm... carry on then.
 
Falko said:
I have trouble thinking of this type design as a "truss".

Its really more of a link mounting pad, and isnt going to net a large benefit to bending stiffness.
Click to expand...
Especially for the magnitudes of deflection that you'd actually see at the axle housing. You'd be better off using cardboard templates and welding some gussets that connect from the housing to the linky stuff.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Especially for the magnitudes of deflection that you'd actually see at the axle housing. You'd be better off using cardboard templates and welding some gussets that connect from the housing to the linky stuff.
Click to expand...

That is exactly the plan.
1- secure the tubes to center section
2- come into the shop on a rainy weekend day and have arts and craft time
 
Third MudPro. I think he has something very similar already drawn up. I do know he was cutting some 60 diff covers at one time. I welded them up.
 
Mud has a similar design for the 14b with pinion support. I imagine that would work in similar fashion with a D60 with very minor tweaks.
 
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