So I've been trying to do some research of the difference, and pro's-con's. I know the D60 is heavier duty and has larger parts, and the D50 is kinda a beefed up D44. But I have not found anything that relates to my model of truck. Nor info on upgrading, I've only seen upgrade from D44 info.
I currently have a D50 that needs some tlc under my truck, probably needs the gears replaced, needs some u-bolts replaced, and some of the steerig bars also replaced. So I was thinking, why not replace it with a D60, but everyone up here seems to think their made of solid gold. $1200-2500, or my personal favorite $850 for just the carrier, no axles.
The largest I plan to run is like 35-37's with like 4:10-4:56's. Would that put un-needed strain on the D50 to the point were it would break, and a D60 is the way to go, or would I be better served to just spend the couple hundred to rebuild my axle?
Also lift kits, with the D50, do I go for stock F250 kits, or F350. As some depend on the axle, and they seem to forget my axle exists.

 

all the info you need is here, from the pages of it i read through.

Front axles: Dana 50 vs 60 - Page 2 - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

 

i did the swap, my D50 was worn out and looser than a cheap lady of the evening, i am a die hard solid alxe guy though. i found my 60 and a 10.25 Stearling rear for 650 for both. didnt need the rear but i thiugh what the hell for 650. it even had the right ratio. after the rebuild and including the axles i had about a grand in it total.

 

I paid 800 for dana 60 and 250 for 10.25 on craigslist after continuous days of searching. Don't see em for sale here to often so they are pretty rare

 

Man i feel lucky. I got my complete parts truck (86 f350 4x4) for 500. I will be swapping out both axles this spring to my Bronco. Still have to find a place to store all the parts i want to keep off her lol. I also have been searching for the last 2 yrs for a d60 for mine. All the yards around here wanted about $1000-1200 for a solid front. That didn/t include any of the hardware either.

 

i paid 900 for mine with dully hubs with i still need to sell

 

Folks around here seem to think they're made of gold also. Averaging around $800-$1,200. Lowest I've seen is $600.
10.25 rears go for $200-$400.

A D50 could be rebuilt much cheaper than the purchase, rebuild, and installation of the D60.

But if you're lifitng it, running big tires, probably managing the throttle with a heavy foot...sounds like a Dana 60 might be up your alley.

I plan to run the standard F150 5 lug 44 TTB under the diesel in my 65/95 F150 Mutt until it blows up, shouldn't take long to pop that inner U-joint. By then, I'll have a Dana 50/10.25 setup ready to install. I've got a line on a D50/10.25 combo with 3.55 gears for $300. Compare that to the price of a 60/10.25.

 

You can store it at my place...wink wink

 

I think the dana 50's a pretty good. They use the dana 60 outers, The dana 44 ttb hd case, and a bigger ring gear than the dana 44 and 44hd. I also believe they have more splines, I do know they corrected the major failure point on the dana 44's with the dana 50. My 91 has a dana 50 and it seems it has plowed all its life. Its still under the truck too.

 

only problem is those damn pivot bushings

 

Yeah the D50 is a half decent axle, I was thinking if I did get a D60, I'd hold onto it for a bronco/F150 bush truck. Something I want a good sturdy front axle, but if it ends up F.U.B.A.R. I'm not going to cry that that axle cost me $1000, and now I gotta drag the truck outa the bush to get it....

 

Wow really? 1200$-2500$?

If I'd knew that last year I would of bought that piece of crap F350 Diesel truck I went to see for parts. Was asking 700$ for the whole truck, 4x4 E4OD 1991!


I would of sold the axles and made some profit!

 

How do you know what front axle you have? Ive been trying to figure out if i have the 50 or 60 all day. the Id numbers are
4 10 ve8ta yc
v610312-2
but thats not very much help for some reason.

 

There worth that in scrap, never mind the axles.

Frank

 

The Dana 60 is a solid axle.

The Dana 44 and 50 are Independent.

You can clearly see the D50 here


The D44 and 50 work on the exact same principals as the 2wd Twin I Beams.

And the solid, well it's pretty obvious how they look.