Dana 60 ID thread

[76zimmer]

this comes up often enough that maybe an ID thread would be helpful

First a few facts:

D60 fronts came in GM One Ton trucks from 77-91.
The Dana 60 front cover measures 11" wide by 12" tall
The Dana 44 front cover measures 9" wide by 10" tall.
Both have 10 bolt covers, with the same basic shape to them.

So assuming one knows what a Dana cover looks like, here are some pics of my D60 and my old D44 front axles:

D60 front axle

D44 front axle

D60 knuckle, notice the kingpin caps top and bottom

D44 knuckle, notice the ball joints top and bottom

D60 spring mounting, pass side has 2 bolts or studs, on one side of the spring, that go to the cast center section, and 1 u-bolt on the other side of the spring (U-bolt missing in this pic)

Drivers side has 2 U-bolts

D44 has ubolts on both sides of the spring on both sides of the axle

D60 and D44 both have their #'s cast into the lower web facing the front of the vehicle

D60

D44

D60 Kingpin cap (with factory steering arm attached)

D60 Pass side upper kingpin (with crossover steering arm attached)

D60/D44 axle Bill Of Materials code location is between the drivers side spring and the center section on the axle tube.

This covers what I have about D60/D44 ID for GM axles....

please add to it, if you have more information!

 

[nvrenuf]

Good thread!

D60 internal style locking hub (example pic = srw GM hub) -

D60 external style locking hub (example pic = drw Dodge hub)-

 

[76zimmer]

Forgot to post these locking hubs....85 era. These are 1/4 turn.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

As mentioned in previous threads Dodge D44's also use a stud on the passenger side, there are kingpin D44's (old ones, the kingpins are much smaller obviously), and there are lots of balljoint D60 fronts (but all Chevy ones are kingpin).

The absolute easiest way to identify these things, and I don't know why anyone looks anywhere else, is the raised numbers on the bottom right side of the diff that plainly say "44F" or "60F". Easy as that.

 

[76zimmer]

The absolute easiest way to identify these things, and I don't know why anyone looks anywhere else, is the raised numbers on the bottom right side of the diff that plainly say "44F" or "60F". Easy as that.

Agreed Chris....foolproof and easy if you can read. If you've been looking at 44's and 10bolts forever, a 60 stands out anyway.

 

[obijuan]

as mentioned, if you have burger king guy baby fists or man fists, you can compare them to the axle shaft ujoint sizes.

44 = undeniable baby fist

60 = man sized fist

 

[73CamperSpecial]

Wow thanks for all the D60 info guys now me and every other rookie can ID them next time were at the parts yard!!!!

 

[76zimmer]

Wow thanks for all the D60 info guys now me and every other rookie can ID them next time were at the parts yard!!!!

OK, just stay out of my neck of the woods.

 

[YZEATER]

i tell everyone that looks for axles for me is too just look at the steering arm, 4 bolts and open knuckle.

that way you don't have to clean anything off, and it could be half buried. up here in Pa. the raised letters are sometimes rusted off.

 

[76zimmer]

i tell everyone that looks for axles for me is too just look at the steering arm, 4 bolts and open knuckle.

that way you don't have to clean anything off, and it could be half buried. up here in Pa. the raised letters are sometimes rusted off.

very true about the rust....thats when the other tips will help out.

 

[sandypants]

Thanks for the great info

 

[elks]

Bump to the top for all us rookies

 

[Z71paramedic]

The hubs (when compared side by side) are a dead giveaway too. D60 hubs are HUGE compared to 44's.

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

The absolute easiest way to identify these things, and I don't know why anyone looks anywhere else, is the raised numbers on the bottom right side of the diff that plainly say "44F" or "60F". Easy as that.

Ya know.... I always wondered that....

 

[blazinzuk]

The hubs (when compared side by side) are a dead giveaway too. D60 hubs are HUGE compared to 44's.

Be careful using hubs some 44s came with very large locking hubs I have seen guys get overly excited about finding a 60 cause these hubs are bigger than a stock internal hub. Obviously easily identifiable by the large bolts on the outside of the hub

 

[Z71paramedic]

Hmmm, good to know. Thanks Eric.

 

[76zimmer]

Ya know.... I always wondered that....

because some axles they aren't always readable either....look at that 44 in the top pic...its not real legible, and I've seen some that you can only find a few bumps left from the casting numbers, and forget about the BOM numbers.

Be careful using hubs some 44s came with very large locking hubs I have seen guys get overly excited about finding a 60 cause these hubs are bigger than a stock internal hub. Obviously easily identifiable by the large bolts on the outside of the hub

Those look closer to the hubs on my Jeepster..same bolt pattern on the end of the hubs..

 

[bronc3buster842001]

Just remember not all of them will be as clean as Zim's.

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

Hammer/chizel.....


All my axle codes were under an 1" of 20 year old grime....
But, they were there...

BUT, I also live in California, where metal doesn't get leprosy.

 

[YZEATER]

read post #9. simple.