A common modification for off-road vehicles equipped with a Dana 60 axle involves increasing ground clearance by reducing the lowest hanging portion of the differential housing. This is achieved through a process often referred to as “shaving” the axle. Aftermarket kits facilitate this process, typically including a modified housing cover and sometimes additional hardware to ensure proper lubrication and structural integrity after the modification.
The primary benefit of this alteration is improved off-road performance. By increasing the clearance beneath the axle, the risk of the differential housing dragging on rocks or other obstacles is significantly reduced. This reduces potential damage to the axle and prevents the vehicle from becoming stuck. While the Dana 60 is a robust axle, its inherent design places the differential housing relatively low, making it a prime candidate for this type of modification, especially for vehicles engaged in serious off-road activity. Early adopters modified their axles without specialized kits, but the availability of designed kits streamlines the process and helps ensure a reliable outcome.