72 C20 Dana Axle info needed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**RPOZ11** · 02-01-2004, 06:57 PM

Greetings...Got my C20 here, it's a Custom Camper, I believe it is a 14-Bolt Dana 60? I need to know what I have factory, I am looking for a new gear set for Hwy useage(also considering Gear Vendors OverDrive to add as well), I need info to determine what I have in order to find out what is availiable aftermarket. I would like to get a 3.00 to 3.73 area gear ratio and am interested in installing a posi unit. I have also seen on eBay, disc bracket set-ups; Is there a good set-up that this Board recommends ? and for all my questions...Thanx!

**kwmech** · 02-01-2004, 09:40 PM

First off, how many bolts hold the rear diff cover on. 10 bolts will indicate a dana 60. No 14 bolts were offered in 72. Gear choice depends on tire size and engine you are running, and of course what the truck is being used for.

**RPOZ11** · 02-01-2004, 10:22 PM

I just looked again at my axle; it counts 14 bolts. I am 99% sure it is a DANA! I am looking to change my gear ratio, add a posi, and consider the disc swap. I tow and have a 7500-9000 # towing demand. Id still like to get some good gas mileage. Was looking for suggestions, etc on what I should use/consider...

**RPOZ11** · 02-01-2004, 10:33 PM

Here is the actual code on my glove box door GM option label: 1G5010 HD spring, 1G7020 HD spring, & 1Z8130 Custom Camper Equipment. I didnt see an actual axle code but all of the HD stuff is listed.

**kwmech** · 02-02-2004, 01:20 AM

It is not a Dana with 14 bolts holding the cover on. The Dana covers have 10 bolts. Is the diff cover and the diff. round? Round steel housing equals rockwell if center section looks like cast iron with steel tubes the vehicle may have been changed over to a GM 14 bolt.

1969 GMC · 02-02-2004, 02:47 AM

the eaton also has 10 bolts holding the diff cover on, you must have a corporate 14 bolt unit. its not original. does resemble a dana axle. there are alot of options available for it, as its more common than any dana rearend. also, if its a 14 bolt it should have the filler plug on the side of the pumpkin, if its a dana it should be on the diff cover itself.

**RPOZ11** · 02-02-2004, 12:48 PM

OK, I looked and I have a GM 14-Bolt axle with the cast iron center case and side fill plug on the passenger's side. I am dissappointed in that this isnt the original axle; I thought my truck was all orig at the time I bought it( crook in Illinois!

).
Anyways, is there a good gear manufacturer making anything in the 3.00-3.90 range for any of these? Are posi unit's available? Thanx for all of Board's help!

**jerry moss** · 02-02-2004, 12:56 PM

if you're planing on towing heavy loads, you'll want to stick with lower gears in the differentials. i'd say go with the gear vendors overdrive unit. if you plan to keep the 14 bolt rear, there's a code stamped into the tube that will give you all the necessary info for purchasing repair parts for your brakes, it'll also have a code that your local dealer can read and tell you everything you want/need to know about gear ratio, posi or not, etc. 14 bolts are almost bulletproof too.

**RPOZ11** · 02-02-2004, 12:59 PM

Cool, Thanx! Any other help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!!!

Piper71c10 · 02-02-2004, 05:10 PM

Not to grab the thread, but is this axle the dana 60 you were talking about?

What years was the 60 an option on the 3/4 ton trucks?

Piper!

Burnsman · 02-02-2004, 06:15 PM

If I'm not mistaken, that is an eaton rear (used on chevy's). The 3/4 ton GMC's had the dana 60's.

demi · 02-02-2004, 07:36 PM

Dana 60 pic:

Model Number:

69k5 · 02-02-2004, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Burnsman
If I'm not mistaken, that is an eaton rear (used on chevy's). The 3/4 ton GMC's had the dana 60's.

you are correct!

Piper71c10 · 02-02-2004, 10:03 PM

Are the Eatons worth anything to any one? I've got a spare that came with a truck I bought.

Duffy · 02-02-2004, 11:31 PM

Eaton rear axles can be of some value if they have the "no spin" detroit locker style carrier. Some people want them just for parts also, especially if they have 4.10:1 gears. The rear end is very strong and lots of the 4x4 guys like them. Of course it can't compare to the darling of the 4x4 crowd: the corporate 14 bolt by GM.

As far as Dana 60's go, they were availabe in both Chevrolet and GMC trucks. Dana 60's were found only with leaf springs ( as far as I can tell, anyone seen otherwise?) and were often used where a 3.54:1 ratio was desired. The lowest ratio that GM used with the Eaton rear axles was 4.10: 1 (3.90's were availabe in the aftermarket). The 3.54:1 is often found behind big blocks in 3/4 ton trucks. Parts are said to be more difficult to find for the eaton rear axle, as Dana 60's were used for a long time in the big three (GM, F*rd, Chrysler).

An intersting side note about the big three: a recent poll shows that F*rd has been replaced by Toyota as the #2 auto seller in the US. GM is #1 still.

Duffy

Mike C · 02-02-2004, 11:56 PM

The Dana 60 can also be had in a coil spring model. It is not as common, but is out there. I have seen a couple of Chevy's with the 60 and coils.

1969 GMC · 02-03-2004, 02:02 AM

to add on, the dana 60 came in ALL 3/4 ton trucks equipped with a big block. these had 3.54 gears. however, i am not sure about this in '68 (first year of BB).
most GMC 3/4 ton trucks had the dana 60 regardless of what engine. my truck has it. but i have seen a couple (both 3/4 ton 4x4's) that had the Eaton rearend.

also, a while back there was a thread about modding the Eaton to use 14bff 30 spline axleshafts and a 30 spline detroit locker in the centersection, so you would make the eaton ultra stout (stock it has 17 spline axleshafts), plus get the cheap 14bff detroit locker. i dont know of anyone who has actually done this, though.

drink2mny · 02-03-2004, 04:05 AM

I love anyone with 3/4 to 1 ton rear axle questions. I wish i had hit this thread earlier. Heck I run the website (in my Signature) that deals with the lowest priced disc kits around for the eaton, 14bolt and D60..

I would like to add I have come across 4 D60 out of '72's with stock 4.10's in them with trac-locs and Power-locs..

**JIMs70GMC** · 02-03-2004, 07:11 AM

Missed out buying a 70 chevy w/ the eaton and no-spin locker. I have a dana 60 w/ power-loc. In link in my sig I have the powr-loc service manual scanned in, if anyone is interested it for the dana 60/70 powr-locs. I will hopefully be picking up a 71 w/ the eaton and 4.56 factory gears the first part of March.

Edmond · 02-03-2004, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drink2mny
I love anyone with 3/4 to 1 ton rear axle questions. I wish i had hit this thread earlier. Heck I run the website (in my Signature) that deals with the lowest priced disc kits around for the eaton, 14bolt and D60..

I would like to add I have come across 4 D60 out of '72's with stock 4.10's in them with trac-locs and Power-locs..

I would like to have a set like you're talking about for my 71 Longhorn, but the cost of shipping would be a nightmare...

I'll think about it again next year, since I'm serious thinking about visiting the US in 2005. I could take it home with me

Cya,
Edmond

Piper71c10 · 02-03-2004, 02:38 PM

How do I tell what gears are in the Eaton rear end?

02-02-2004, 02:47 AM	#6
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	the eaton also has 10 bolts holding the diff cover on, you must have a corporate 14 bolt unit. its not original. does resemble a dana axle. there are alot of options available for it, as its more common than any dana rearend. also, if its a 14 bolt it should have the filler plug on the side of the pumpkin, if its a dana it should be on the diff cover itself. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

02-02-2004, 12:48 PM	#7
RPOZ11 72 BB C30 Super LongHorn Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chavez Ravine Posts: 1,606	OK, I looked and I have a GM 14-Bolt axle with the cast iron center case and side fill plug on the passenger's side. I am dissappointed in that this isnt the original axle; I thought my truck was all orig at the time I bought it( crook in Illinois! ). Anyways, is there a good gear manufacturer making anything in the 3.00-3.90 range for any of these? Are posi unit's available? Thanx for all of Board's help! Last edited by RPOZ11; 02-02-2004 at 12:51 PM.

02-02-2004, 12:56 PM	#8
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,949	if you're planing on towing heavy loads, you'll want to stick with lower gears in the differentials. i'd say go with the gear vendors overdrive unit. if you plan to keep the 14 bolt rear, there's a code stamped into the tube that will give you all the necessary info for purchasing repair parts for your brakes, it'll also have a code that your local dealer can read and tell you everything you want/need to know about gear ratio, posi or not, etc. 14 bolts are almost bulletproof too. __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

02-02-2004, 05:10 PM	#10
Piper71c10 Unending Project Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 337	is this a dana 60? Not to grab the thread, but is this axle the dana 60 you were talking about? What years was the 60 an option on the 3/4 ton trucks? Piper!

02-02-2004, 06:15 PM	#11
Burnsman Chevy Freak Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Meadville, Pa. Posts: 2,804	rear If I'm not mistaken, that is an eaton rear (used on chevy's). The 3/4 ton GMC's had the dana 60's. __________________ 69 GMC SWB, 350 70 Chevy LWB, 350 55 chevy gasser, 461 73 Camaro, 496 67 RS Camaro, 406 64 Chevelle, 588 71 Nova, 565 67 Camaro, 461

02-01-2004, 06:57 PM	#1
RPOZ11 72 BB C30 Super LongHorn Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chavez Ravine Posts: 1,606	72 C20 Dana Axle info needed Greetings...Got my C20 here, it's a Custom Camper, I believe it is a 14-Bolt Dana 60? I need to know what I have factory, I am looking for a new gear set for Hwy useage(also considering Gear Vendors OverDrive to add as well), I need info to determine what I have in order to find out what is availiable aftermarket. I would like to get a 3.00 to 3.73 area gear ratio and am interested in installing a posi unit. I have also seen on eBay, disc bracket set-ups; Is there a good set-up that this Board recommends ? and for all my questions...Thanx!

02-01-2004, 09:40 PM	#2
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,678	First off, how many bolts hold the rear diff cover on. 10 bolts will indicate a dana 60. No 14 bolts were offered in 72. Gear choice depends on tire size and engine you are running, and of course what the truck is being used for.

02-01-2004, 10:22 PM	#3
RPOZ11 72 BB C30 Super LongHorn Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chavez Ravine Posts: 1,606	I just looked again at my axle; it counts 14 bolts. I am 99% sure it is a DANA! I am looking to change my gear ratio, add a posi, and consider the disc swap. I tow and have a 7500-9000 # towing demand. Id still like to get some good gas mileage. Was looking for suggestions, etc on what I should use/consider...

02-01-2004, 10:33 PM	#4
RPOZ11 72 BB C30 Super LongHorn Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chavez Ravine Posts: 1,606	Here is the actual code on my glove box door GM option label: 1G5010 HD spring, 1G7020 HD spring, & 1Z8130 Custom Camper Equipment. I didnt see an actual axle code but all of the HD stuff is listed.

02-02-2004, 01:20 AM	#5
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,678	It is not a Dana with 14 bolts holding the cover on. The Dana covers have 10 bolts. Is the diff cover and the diff. round? Round steel housing equals rockwell if center section looks like cast iron with steel tubes the vehicle may have been changed over to a GM 14 bolt.

02-02-2004, 12:59 PM	#9
RPOZ11 72 BB C30 Super LongHorn Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chavez Ravine Posts: 1,606	Cool, Thanx! Any other help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!!!

02-02-2004, 07:36 PM	#12
demi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 305	Dana 60 pic: Model Number:

02-02-2004, 10:03 PM	#14
Piper71c10 Unending Project Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 337	Are the Eatons worth anything to any one? I've got a spare that came with a truck I bought.

02-02-2004, 11:31 PM	#15
Duffy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 121	Eaton rear axles can be of some value if they have the "no spin" detroit locker style carrier. Some people want them just for parts also, especially if they have 4.10:1 gears. The rear end is very strong and lots of the 4x4 guys like them. Of course it can't compare to the darling of the 4x4 crowd: the corporate 14 bolt by GM. As far as Dana 60's go, they were availabe in both Chevrolet and GMC trucks. Dana 60's were found only with leaf springs ( as far as I can tell, anyone seen otherwise?) and were often used where a 3.54:1 ratio was desired. The lowest ratio that GM used with the Eaton rear axles was 4.10: 1 (3.90's were availabe in the aftermarket). The 3.54:1 is often found behind big blocks in 3/4 ton trucks. Parts are said to be more difficult to find for the eaton rear axle, as Dana 60's were used for a long time in the big three (GM, Frd, Chrysler). An intersting side note about the big three: a recent poll shows that Frd has been replaced by Toyota as the #2 auto seller in the US. GM is #1 still. Duffy __________________ '72 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper

02-02-2004, 11:56 PM	#16
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,731	The Dana 60 can also be had in a coil spring model. It is not as common, but is out there. I have seen a couple of Chevy's with the 60 and coils. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax



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02-03-2004, 02:02 AM	#17
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	to add on, the dana 60 came in ALL 3/4 ton trucks equipped with a big block. these had 3.54 gears. however, i am not sure about this in '68 (first year of BB). most GMC 3/4 ton trucks had the dana 60 regardless of what engine. my truck has it. but i have seen a couple (both 3/4 ton 4x4's) that had the Eaton rearend. also, a while back there was a thread about modding the Eaton to use 14bff 30 spline axleshafts and a 30 spline detroit locker in the centersection, so you would make the eaton ultra stout (stock it has 17 spline axleshafts), plus get the cheap 14bff detroit locker. i dont know of anyone who has actually done this, though. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

02-03-2004, 04:05 AM	#18
drink2mny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: spokane wa Posts: 2,189	I love anyone with 3/4 to 1 ton rear axle questions. I wish i had hit this thread earlier. Heck I run the website (in my Signature) that deals with the lowest priced disc kits around for the eaton, 14bolt and D60.. I would like to add I have come across 4 D60 out of '72's with stock 4.10's in them with trac-locs and Power-locs.. __________________ Support The Board

02-03-2004, 07:11 AM	#19
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Missed out buying a 70 chevy w/ the eaton and no-spin locker. I have a dana 60 w/ power-loc. In link in my sig I have the powr-loc service manual scanned in, if anyone is interested it for the dana 60/70 powr-locs. I will hopefully be picking up a 71 w/ the eaton and 4.56 factory gears the first part of March. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

02-03-2004, 02:38 PM	#21
Piper71c10 Unending Project Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 337	How do I tell what gears are in the Eaton rear end?

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