Super Duty Dana 60 (2005+) - Lower Coil Spring Retainer

[holdmypocket]

I just got the Dana 60 for my 1-ton swap into my '78 F150 and I'm trying to determine if I can use my current coil-springs but I'm not sure how the coil attaches to the axle (if it doest at all).

I've only ever known old Fords (EB's and this truck) so I'm used to there being a lower coil bucket with a retainer plate. How does this system work? Am I missing parts? I searched online but couldn't get a good picture or diagram of it.

 

[wvracer821]

they dont attach, the coil just sits in there.

 

[DannyK]

The SD 60 coil spring buckets are probably WAY too wide for the 78 F150 frame rails.

You are probably going to need to cut all that s*** off and build new lower coil buckets further inboard.

 

[holdmypocket]

The SD 60 coil spring buckets are probably WAY too wide for the 78 F150 frame rails.

You are probably going to need to cut all that s*** off and build new lower coil buckets further inboard.

I'm in the early stages (collecting parts, planning, etc) but my initial plan has been to outboard the coil buckets on the frame. The coil mounts on the axle are about 46.5" apart (from center of each lower bucket) and the frame mounts on my truck are 41.5" apart (center to center). With that said, 2.5" does sound like a goofy amount to outboard the coil buckets now that I actually look at it.

I'm going to unbolt that lower coil "retainer" and see what it looks like underneath, see if I can fab up a spring pad in it's place but inboard like you said.

 

[holdmypocket]

I guess this guy was trying to achieve some lift for free the way he did his (I'll be buying new springs) but it looks like he's already blazed the trail for me to integrate the old-school style bottom coil mount by pulling the super duty coil mount and bolting his homemade version to the bump-stop pad and area the original coil mount goes.. will have to spend a little time on the drawing board to make this look good. Looking at my axle the bump-stop pad is at an angle in relation to where the coil mount bolts so I can't do a simple flat plate across, may have to find/make a steel plate shim/wedge or something.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8EL5xFLdTE

 

[6gun]

The SD 60 coil spring buckets are probably WAY too wide for the 78 F150 frame rails.

You are probably going to need to cut all that s*** off and build new lower coil buckets further inboard.

I doubt seriously that this will be the issue! On my 99 Ranger we used the fullsized upper coil buckets from James Duff(intended to bolt a 73-39 Ford coil sprung D44 under a Ranger). Using these and stock lowers we only got about a 1/4-1/2" coil lean at the top. I've saw several bolt these under 80+ TTB trucks and most changed nothing about coil mounting. Good luck!

 

[Projectjunkie]

Check out "king dent " on u tube

he used a strip of thick flat plate and moved the coil over, looks sturdier than that guys setup

he bolted in super duty coil buckets, I've seen them new 50-75 each

apparently his frame is flatter than a super duty, so it had integrated lift, he also had a 2wd f350 crew, and I'm not sure which frames did what.

Anyways, his videos are informative, you can skip ahead

it's a tow rig, and not a pretty welda build, but he explains fitment and lining stuff up

 

[holdmypocket]

I doubt seriously that this will be the issue! On my 99 Ranger we used the fullsized upper coil buckets from James Duff(intended to bolt a 73-39 Ford coil sprung D44 under a Ranger). Using these and stock lowers we only got about a 1/4-1/2" coil lean at the top. I've saw several bolt these under 80+ TTB trucks and most changed nothing about coil mounting. Good luck!

Re-reading this reply had me realize that the coil-lean wouldn't be awful with the center of the coils on the axle being 2.25" outboard from the frame. Especially if I install different frame-side coil buckets that outboard the coil any amount.. then I can get a coil mount that allows me to adjust the height.