Hmm, im not too sure on this one. I might be mistaken but i know the 76' and older highboys had a high pinion(reverse rotation) differential and kingpin knuckles instead of ball joints. To me the kingpin axles are more desirable because they are longer lasting and have more driveshaft to ground clearance. As for differences thats wat i can come up with but as long as the gear ratios match it shood be a direct bolt in swap depending on wheel stud sizes.
No the axles are not the same. They have a lot in common but are not a direct bolt-in. The 78/79 axles have narrower spring mounting points (closer together by roughly 4 inches). This puts the leaf spring mounting pad on the driver's side cast into the differential housing vs. on a mostly separate pad on the axle tube. Also of note would be axle shaft differences. The later axle shafts are larger diameter (more splines) and subsequently stronger. Up until the end of '91 the Ford Dana 60 axles had kingpin knuckles. After that, the ball joint style was used.
I might be mistaken but i know the 76' and older highboys had a high pinion(reverse rotation) differential
Not to be nit-picky but I'd just like to point out that these axles are not reverse rotation. They still rotate the same direction as other front axles. They are referred to as reverse cut or reverse spiral because the ring and pinion is cut so that it's driven from the drive side of the gear rather than the coast side. I'm not certain on the entire year range but I know that the 78 and later axles used the high pinion reverse cut setup.
Cody covered all the other differences. In terms of the smaller inner shafts (78 and 79) they can be upgraded for pretty cheap to the non-neckdown style. You cannot swap in the later stock axles as they're different lengths. Both the 78/79 and the later axles used the smaller 30 spline outers and the outers are the same for both axles so when upgrading stubs there's not a particular year range you need to look for. Just make sure they're the Ford stubs, not the Chebby stuff.
thanks i really wasnt sure but i know about them having kingpins.my dana 60 on my 88 has kingpins.thanks for letting me know there not a direct bolt-in.
Not to be nit-picky but I'd just like to point out that these axles are not reverse rotation. They still rotate the same direction as other front axles. They are referred to as reverse cut or reverse spiral because the ring and pinion is cut so that it's driven from the drive side of the gear rather than the coast side. I'm not certain on the entire year range but I know that the 78 and later axles used the high pinion reverse cut setup.
Cody covered all the other differences. In terms of the smaller inner shafts (78 and 79) they can be upgraded for pretty cheap to the non-neckdown style. You cannot swap in the later stock axles as they're different lengths. Both the 78/79 and the later axles used the smaller 30 spline outers and the outers are the same for both axles so when upgrading stubs there's not a particular year range you need to look for. Just make sure they're the Ford stubs, not the Chebby stuff.
good thing i came and checked first i didnt know they had smaller splines.oh no no no i would never buy chevy stuff thats a no no. ok well the guy was going to sell the axle cheap but since off the 78 but it wont bolt right in so i guess i wont buy it.
Last edited by fordinmudd; 10-19-2006 at 11:17 AM.
Well, both axles have the same number of splines. Stock, they're both 35 spline 1.5" inners and 30 spline outers. The difference is that in the 78/79 D60's the inner axle tapers down after the splines. I don't remember the exact size but it's somewhere around 1.25" for the length of the shaft. The later D60's stay at 1.5" for the whole length of the inner shaft. I upgraded my inners for about $150 (for the pair) and the aftermarket replacements do not neck down. Below is a comparison picture of my old vs new inners, short side:
ok well the guy was going to sell the axle cheap but since off the 78 but it wont bolt right in so i guess i wont buy it.
BUY IT!
You can put a 78/79 axle in a later model truck pretty easy. It's a late model axle in a 70's truck that is tough. All you'll need to do is buy a set of spring perches and weld them in, or get one spring perch for the drivers side and move the passenger's side perch a couple inches. So rather than the driver side leaf spring sitting in the perch cast into the housing it'll sit on a perch mounted on the short side tube.
Btw, 78/79 are also more desirable for people who want to do radius arms/coil springs because it allows the radius arms to stay in closer and gives you more short-side tube to work with.
You would be a FOOL not to. Even if you don't have a welder, or can't weld, getting the perches welded on, or the Radius Arm C-mounts if you do decide to go radius arms and coils is well worth the strength and reliability of the axle. BUY IT.
And for the record 76-77 Hiboys are not hipinion as i own one Hiboys had a divorced Tcase. 77 1/2 F250's to 79 had the married Tcase which then they would have either a hipinion D44HD or D60.
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ok well the guy was going to sell the axle cheap but since off the 78 but it wont bolt right in so i guess i wont buy it.
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