Z3PR
Banned
I've been hearing alot about the D60 rear axle lately on a few different sites. So I thought why not post up and see what everyone would choose and why.
CK5
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Rear axle Dana 60 vers 14 bolt FF
- Thread starter Z3PR
- Start date
14 bolt for me, strength wise they are about equal but you can go 7.17's in a D60 and only 5.13's (rumored 5.38's) with the 14 bolt. A locker for a 14 bolt is way cheaper than for a D60.
a 60 has more clearence
Comparing those two is not fair. The 14FF is more in line as the D70 rear. You are kind of in the wrong ballpark here.
Isn't there a decent weight difference too?
Pretty good weight difference. Of course both can be made lighter but in the end the 60 will still be lighter. As for clearance that can be addressed with a fair amount of work on the 14 Bolt.
My choice is and as far as I can see always will be the 14 Bolt. Common, cheap, Only real draw back is gearing selection but I'd rather gear the T cases and leave the axle ratio in the 5.13 range anyhow. My .02.
My choice is and as far as I can see always will be the 14 Bolt. Common, cheap, Only real draw back is gearing selection but I'd rather gear the T cases and leave the axle ratio in the 5.13 range anyhow. My .02.
mudslinger99
1/2 ton status
Here is some info on Dana 60 and Dana 70 just for comparison..
Dana 60
Applications: Front and rear
Type: Semi- and full-floating
Spline count: 16, 23, 30, 32 and 35
Factory ratios: 3.54:1 through 7.17:1
Maximum tire size for stock axle: 38.5-inch
Weight: 505 Pounds
Strong point: Available in a variety of widths, most of which were full-floaters
Weak point: The driver-side carrier bearing was known to spin on the carrier and this often spun the race, which can damage the housing
Junkyard jewel: A heavy-duty front '60 can be found on '78 and '79 ¾-ton Ford pickups equipped with the snowplow package. Some late '70s and early '80s Dodge trucks had 35-spline '60 rear axles. Rear '60s are easy to find
Building secrets: The spider-gear roll pin is small and hollow, and is prone to breakage. Builders often double up the roll pin for extra strength (slide one inside of another). Also, replace the pinion yoke with a 1350-series yoke for extra strength. Finally, be careful about the spline count. Look for the 32- and 35-spline axles, avoid the 16s and 23s
Aftermarket alternatives: Currie Enterprises, DTS Custom Service, Dynatrac, Custom Differentials
The venerable '60 has been available in either high- or low-pinion designs and was never used in an IFS application. Custom Differentials warns to steer clear of the rare but virtually identical Dana 61 because most of the parts are not interchangeable
Dana 70
Applications: Front and rear
Type: Most full-floating with some rare semi-floating in commercial applications
Spline count: 23, 32 or 35
Factory ratios: 3.54:1 through 7.17:1
Maximum tire size for stock axle: 44-inch
Strong point: Large teeth on ring-and-pinion
Weak point: Small diameter pinion shaft (same as found on Dana 60)
Junkyard jewel: Rarely seen but known to exist are open-knuckle front axles with disc brakes. A rear heavy-duty '70 was fitted under '73-'91 Chevy dualie pickups, and it has larger-than-normal carrier bearings
Building secrets: When rebuilding, make sure that any stock oil-restricting device is left in the pinion area. This keeps lube in the pinion-bearing area at a higher level and retains it longer. Custom Differentials says that a number of '70s come to them with the oil-restricting devices removed
Aftermarket alternatives: Dynatrac, Custom Differentials
Notes: One of the benefits to a '70 is that there are a number of different pinion yoke sizes available, including a 1410-series yoke. Be careful though, because different housing castings used different sizes of pinion bearings due to different sizes of pinion bores.
Dana 60
Applications: Front and rear
Type: Semi- and full-floating
Spline count: 16, 23, 30, 32 and 35
Factory ratios: 3.54:1 through 7.17:1
Maximum tire size for stock axle: 38.5-inch
Weight: 505 Pounds
Strong point: Available in a variety of widths, most of which were full-floaters
Weak point: The driver-side carrier bearing was known to spin on the carrier and this often spun the race, which can damage the housing
Junkyard jewel: A heavy-duty front '60 can be found on '78 and '79 ¾-ton Ford pickups equipped with the snowplow package. Some late '70s and early '80s Dodge trucks had 35-spline '60 rear axles. Rear '60s are easy to find
Building secrets: The spider-gear roll pin is small and hollow, and is prone to breakage. Builders often double up the roll pin for extra strength (slide one inside of another). Also, replace the pinion yoke with a 1350-series yoke for extra strength. Finally, be careful about the spline count. Look for the 32- and 35-spline axles, avoid the 16s and 23s
Aftermarket alternatives: Currie Enterprises, DTS Custom Service, Dynatrac, Custom Differentials
The venerable '60 has been available in either high- or low-pinion designs and was never used in an IFS application. Custom Differentials warns to steer clear of the rare but virtually identical Dana 61 because most of the parts are not interchangeable
Dana 70
Applications: Front and rear
Type: Most full-floating with some rare semi-floating in commercial applications
Spline count: 23, 32 or 35
Factory ratios: 3.54:1 through 7.17:1
Maximum tire size for stock axle: 44-inch
Strong point: Large teeth on ring-and-pinion
Weak point: Small diameter pinion shaft (same as found on Dana 60)
Junkyard jewel: Rarely seen but known to exist are open-knuckle front axles with disc brakes. A rear heavy-duty '70 was fitted under '73-'91 Chevy dualie pickups, and it has larger-than-normal carrier bearings
Building secrets: When rebuilding, make sure that any stock oil-restricting device is left in the pinion area. This keeps lube in the pinion-bearing area at a higher level and retains it longer. Custom Differentials says that a number of '70s come to them with the oil-restricting devices removed
Aftermarket alternatives: Dynatrac, Custom Differentials
Notes: One of the benefits to a '70 is that there are a number of different pinion yoke sizes available, including a 1410-series yoke. Be careful though, because different housing castings used different sizes of pinion bearings due to different sizes of pinion bores.
85mudblazin
1/2 ton status
Comparing a D60 to a 14BFF is just stupid in a fullsize. No way that D60 is going to be stronger then a 14b in stock form. Get a 14bff, live mwith the extra weight down low. 5.13's are plenty anymore and that pinion gears gets to be itty bitty. And ground clearance is better on a D60 but if you shave a 14b and make it smooth it will slide over everything.
mudslinger99
1/2 ton status
k5freak44 said:
That's about right..
SUBFAN
1/2 ton status
I'll keep my FF rear 60 as apposed to a 14SF anyday....
Way more options - gears, lockers Limited Slips etc....
Way more options - gears, lockers Limited Slips etc....
k5freak44 said:
Thats what I tried to tell everyone up above in my post. No one listens around here anymore.
SUBFAN
1/2 ton status
I'd rather have that D70 you have though.... 
