I have tried to decipher the id tag, says rear axle is a dana 60 limited slip which what the original owner told us, (he ordered the truck new), but can't figure out the front by the tag. I am pretty sure its a44, just trying to learn all i can.

 

The BOM is on the drivers side axle tube, it should be a D44HP.

 

HP as in high pinion?

 

Yes. There were generally only two available axles on an F250 those years. Probably 90% or more got the high-pinion Dana 44 where some seem to have come with the Dana 60, also called the "Snowfighter" option I believe.
Both were high pinion.

Paul

 

Once you get used to looking at them you can tell them apart immediately just by size. The 60 being the same basic shape, but larger in both tube size and cover size.
A good quick way to tell them apart though is that the 44 should always have used ball-joints, while the 60's of that vintage still had king-pin bearings.

So take a peek over the top of the tire and see what the pivot point is. If it's a single big castle nut with cotter pin, you have ball joints and a 44. If it's a bearing cap with 4 bolts and maybe even a Zerk fitting, it's a 60.
The steering arm on a '60 I believe should all be integrated into the king-pin bearing cap. Been awhile since I looked at mine though, so that last bit is a bit vague.

Paul

 

Thanks, sounds like i have a decent rig to rebuild. We used it on a cattle farm fro about 10-12 years, it was a stout rig. $00 with a 4 speed t-18. It has sat for several years. My Dad gave it to me. I plan on replacing the floorboards, replacing the bed or building a flatbed. It was parked because of the brakes. I want to slowly bring it back to life,go thru the brakes, fix a few leaks freshen up things. Once i determine the condition of the engine (pretty good when parked) i would like to put a straight up timing set and 4 barrel/ intake. I want to use it when i retire to work on the farm, some hauling pulling & wood hauling.

 

The front and rear axle ID tags are retained by 2 of the bolts that retain the inspection cover to the housing.

Warranty Plate AXLE code will not include the front axle if it only has 2 digits. If it has 3, the 3rd digit may only refer to P/S, that's why the ID tag is necessary.

 

Thanks, i know the tag you are speaking of. The truck is about 25 miles away, when i get up there & the ticks have settled down, i will try to find the tag. Would the front axle have the reverse cut gears?

 

If it's original to the truck then yes it would.

Paul

 

Yes this truck is mostly original. The original owner sold it to a teenage kid that drove it about 3 months then wanted a mustang. I believe the engine has been rebuilt, i replaced the clutch/flywheel just as we parked it. We drove the snot out of it on the farm.