Axle Swap

[hesutton]

Here is the best information I could find on the difference between the three axles.

The Dana 70:
Ring gear measures 10.5".
3.5" diameter axle tube.
Inner axle shaft spline counts are 23, 32, and 35
Pinion shaft diameter: 1.75"
Pinion shaft splines: 10 and 29
Gear ratios: 3.07:1 - 7.17:1
Axle Shaft diameter
1.41” Front (35 Spline)
1.50” Rear (35 Spline)
Axle spline diameter
1.50” Front (35 Spline)
1.50” Rear (35 Spline)
1480 Universal Joint (Front axle)

Dana 60:
Ring gear measures 9-3/4".
3.125" diameter axle tube.
Weighs in near 500lbs. More or less depending on width and brake configurations.
OEM Inner axle shaft spline counts are 16, 30, 32, and 35.
Pinion shaft diameter: 1.625"
Pinion shaft splines: 10 and 29
Gear ratios: 3.31:1 - 7.17:1
Carrier break: 3.31:1 - 4.10:1 and 4.56:1 - 7.17:1
Axle Shaft diameter
1.41” Front (35 Spline)
1.46” Rear (35 Spline)
Axle spline diameter
1.50” Front (35 Spline)
1.50” Rear (35 Spline)
1480 Universal Joint (Front axle)

Dana 61:
A variation of the Dana 60 known made to accommodate gear ratios that allowed for better fuel mileage. (This was done as a direct result of the 1973 oil crisis.)
A 3.07:1 gear ratio was common for these axles and unachievable in a regular Dana 60.
The 61 has a greater pinion offset. This offset meant that a different carrier and a different ring and pinion had to be used.
The 61 was made in semi-float and full-float axles for select 4x2 Ford 3/4 Ton and 1 Ton Pickups and Vans from 1974 - 1987.
A 61 front axle was selectively used in Dodge 4x4 3/4 Ton and 1 Ton pickups from 1987 - 1993.
Although 3.00:1 and 3.07:1 gear sets are possible from a Dana 61, lower gear sets (4.56:1 on down) are not.

Heath

 

[bike-maker]

If it helps any...........
My truck originally came with a Dana 61 3.55 geared limited slip. It has since been swapped out for a 4.10 geared Sterling out of a 89 F250 Ext. cab 4wd. Not exactly sure what the GVW on the rear axle was on the Sterling, but IIRC it was LESS than the GVW of the Dana 61. The F250 had the standard GVWR of 8800 pounds, my F350 has a GVWR of 9000 pounds. I can look at the rear axle GVW on my truck (the GVW rating of the Dana 61) when I get home tonight if anyone is interesed.

 

[bike-maker]

OK, got my GVW wrong. The F350 has a GVWR of 9300 pounds. Front axle; 4410 pounds. Rear Dana 61 axle; 5873 pounds

 

[Simp5782]

I just picked up some axle assemblies yesterday in Billings. I Really stole em at the price i paid. $600 for front and rear assemblies with shocks, hubs, knuckles,brakes,springs, steering linkage,front sway bar, even the abs sensor still attached. Nice to get a Dana 50 with rancho shocks and super winch hubs. Not to mention nearly new Rotors,pads,calipers,lines,shoes and drums. Just had to drive 5 hours to get em :/ Just switchin from a 4.10 to a 3.55 to save on gas since I do alot of cross country road trips and little towing. Should go well with my 5speed.

 

[phazertwo]

Careful. I know that some of the the 60's came with 30 spline shafts. (my granpas 78ish f250 plow truck has a 30sp 60) I wouldn't want anything less than 35 splines behind a diesel, that is going to haul/tow big weight. Most half tons came with 31 spline 9's or 8.8's. Breaking an axle shaft would really suck!

PZ

 

[Simp5782]

got my Dana 50 and 10.25 swapped today, took about 7 hours to do both swaps. had to do some breaking down of the replacement axles to get all the extras off. I love to RPM with the new gears. 2450rpms at 80 mph. Better than before where it was round 3100. Nice tough all day job, now imma go take a nap.

 

[funnyman06]

So i picked up the axle yesterday, after going through it it turns out its a Dana 70 with what i believe is a Dana power lok in it. The clutches are really tight and he said it worked out great before he pulled the axle. I dont know much about them, what should i know?