Weight of Dana 60 outers?

RustyC · Oct 4, 2019

I'm gathering parts for a LJ. Plans include LS swap and a Dana 60 front. Sterling rear.
OR Ford 9" front and rear.
Building for a 37" tire and do not have faith in a Dana 44.
1480 chromo is strong enough. Trying to keep the weight down on this project.
Blah,blah,blah.

Not including brakes.
What weights more kingpin inner c, knuckle, spindle and hub?

Or 05 up inner c, knuckle,unit bearing?

Opinions with explanations.

TBItoy · Oct 4, 2019

weight wise, the 99-04 unit bearing outers (D50/D60) are going to be the lightest and cheapest, and you're not limited to 8 lug patterns.

Spidertrax knuckles and Cs would be the "best" for weight.

Kingpin outers with aluminum hubs would probably be the next lightest. and you have bolt on steering arms.

If I was building from scratch, I'd go 05+ knuckles and unit bearings. Then you are not limited on upgrades. Really no reason not to, unless you want less than 8 lug pattern.

RustyC · Oct 4, 2019

I will be running 8 lug in the rear for sure. Either Sterling hubs or 05 units and cups. Redrilling to a standard pattern is no issue. 05 up makes the most sense due to matching front and rear units. I think the 05 knuckle unit is heavier than a kingpin, just a gut feeling no proof. 05 knuckles with weld on steering gets heavy quickly.
99-04s are out due to machine work to fit 35 spline. Lockouts are wanted on the front also.
Spidertrax makes great stuff but is out due to budget and vehicle use.
Basically wanting to build myself the old man Jeep. Comfortable, light, able to drive to ?? and wheel without fear of failure and needing custom parts.

TBItoy · Oct 4, 2019

Sounds like 05+ is your huckleberry then.

I weighed a set that I cut off, I think... I remember the brakes were the the biggest part of the weight.

A set of the stock 1550 shafts would probably hold up to most anything you'd throw at them on a small tire (assuming full body) Jeep.

MonnlightRacing77 · Oct 14, 2019

Just weighted my 99 to 04 stuff.138lbs Cs,knuckles and UBs with hardware and ball joints

RustyC · Oct 14, 2019

I have picked up an 05 Dana 60 and can weight them as well.

MonnlightRacing77 said:
Just weighted my 99 to 04 stuff.138lbs Cs,knuckles and UBs with hardware and ball jointsView attachment 114095

This for both sides? Lockout included?

MonnlightRacing77 · Oct 14, 2019

Both sides.Lockouts were gone when I got the axle.

RustyC · Oct 21, 2019

05 knuckle w/ball joints. 33.15 lbs
05 unit bearing w/ studs. 25.04 lbs
05 oem lockout 2.02 lbs
05 front rotor 32.30 lbs

99-04 rear rotor 21.97 lbs

99-04 rear rotor has same pilot i.d. as the 05 front. It fits the unit bearing without issue. Now just to find a caliper that fits well. I am hoping a 99-04 rear caliper will fit.
16" wheels were standard on the 99-04 Superduty trucks.

RustyC · Oct 21, 2019

05 front rotor then 99 rear rotor then 05 outer with 99 rear rotor.

CarolinaCrawler1 · Oct 21, 2019

RustyC said:
Now just to find a caliper that fits well. I am hoping a 99-04 rear caliper will fit.

I liked how you used the Chevy caliper on the 99-04 axle. It would be awesome to be able to use it on the 05 up axle. I'm fixing to make a bracket for thoes calipers on a 97 ball joint Dana 60.

RustyC · Nov 13, 2019

I was able to weight GM kingpin outers (thanks Brad).
Knuckle with lower kingpin = 19.8 lbs.
Spindle = 8.5 lbs
Hub, bearings, 1 ton rotor
= 51 lbs.
Eastcoastgearsupply lists a bare hub at 25 lbs plus 5lbs of bearings = roughly 30 lbs.

RustyC · Nov 13, 2019

After being able to weight both OEM 05 up Ford and GM kingpin 60 outers. I have to say I am surprised that they weight almost the exact same. There is miscellaneous hardware not included so keep that on mind.
Totals per side minus brakes and inner c's.
05 up Ford = 58.19 lbs
GM kingpin = 58.5 lbs
Never would have imagined it would be this close.