Dana 50 or 60?

Soilman · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 05:35 PM

OK I don't have a sure answer to my questions and I am getting ready to need to know. After 220,000 miles of hard use I finally need to speed some money on my front hubs, axle, etc. But before I spent a dollar on a DANA 50 I need to consider going to the DANA 60.

1) Do I have a DANA 50? ffice

ffice" />>>

> >

Diff Tag: 4.10 1C34 KA
6110712

On front of front axle housing: 47721

On back of front axle housing: 228 003

On diff cover: 47707-1
266-00
REV-N
012599

2) Is it true the ONLY difference is internal and not external between the newer SD DANA 50 and 60? I have looked at them a little and see no big differences so is it a simple unbolt my DANA 50 and get a DANA 60 from a newer SD and bolt it in my truck? Is there a difference in the F250 or F350, I am told no?

3) I have different sources giving different answers on years. 2001 F250 MIGHT have a 60, no 2002 got the 60's, no 2005 got the 60's, they were only in the F350 after 2002????? I want to call a junk yard and ask them to sell me a hub to hub axle off a 2003 F250 that was not involved in a wreck and know I am getting a DANA 60.

4) Is the yoke to the front drive shaft different and will I need to change that? >>

> >

5) Do I even need to upgrade to the 60, the 50 has held up this long?

I need to repair my left front hub and am getting ready to add a locker to the front so I want to consider the upgrade before I do. Thanks for any help ahead of time.>>

wlihntr · #2 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 05:58 PM

2002 and up f250, f350 and f350 DRW have the dana 60 front diff. 99-2001 f250 and f350 SRW have dana 50 front diff. 99-2001 f350 DRW have dana 60 front diff

valiant500hp · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlihntr

2002 and up f250, f350 and f350 DRW have the dana 60 front diff. 99-2001 f250 and f350 SRW have dana 50 front diff. 99-2001 f350 DRW have dana 60 front diff

I've seen this blind response in multiple threads and it isn't true. A lot of guys give that blanket response. I have a 02 F-350 SRW built in April of 02 and it has a Dana 50 front end. No, mine hasn't been wrecked and swaped or anything else.

Just a little FYI.

DCSpecial · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 02:19 PM

Yep, some 02s still had the D50....not sure how long it took Ford to used up D50s and solely use D60s.

Moto52 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 02:25 PM

Is there any easy way to tell if you have a D50 or D60???

SBastow · #6 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 02:35 PM

Is the D50 a weaker axle? Are there known problems with them?

DCSpecial · #7 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 02:43 PM

Run the BOM number on the axle, or I believe the pinion snout on the D60 is slightly longer than the D50.

D50 inner shafts neck down to 1.31" at the splines vs. the D60 that are 1.5" throughout. Ring gear, pinion, pinion spine count etc. are all larger on the D60.

That being said, I haven't had any issues with the D50 on my lifted 01.

tjc transport · #8 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 07:30 PM

a Dana 50 axle will have a 50 cast into it.
a Dana 60 axle will have a 60 cast into it.

early production 2002 had Dana 50.
mid year 2002 switched to the Dana 60.

cparks · #9 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 07:50 PM

I think the DANA 50 is a good axle, but it depends what you are doing with the truck. I know when Ford came out with the IFS DANA 50 back in the 80's it was much better than the DANA 44. Sure it might not be as good as a DANA 60, but I would say 90% of the people running a Superduty don't need a DANA 60 front axle. My 2 cents for the day.

beer boy · #10 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 07:53 PM

other than the hubs, your going to have to do alot to blow up a dana 50 in these trucks.

Soilman · #11 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 08:27 PM

Thanks guys, it has been a while but I still have not fixed the dana 50 yet or upgraded. To answer one question, no I don't think there is a problem with the 50 in my 2001 because I have put it through hell so far and it has held up. I was just thinking before I invest money in it I should consider the 60 because I am running 44" buggers with 450+ hp!

If the pinion snout is longer than I would need to get the front drive shaft off the donor truck also, correct?

Sooper-Doodie · #12 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cparks

I think the DANA 50 is a good axle, but it depends what you are doing with the truck. I know when Ford came out with the IFS DANA 50 back in the 80's it was much better than the DANA 44. Sure it might not be as good as a DANA 60, but I would say 90% of the people running a Superduty don't need a DANA 60 front axle. My 2 cents for the day.

The Dana 50 is just a Dana 44 fitted with Dana 60 outers. The axle shafts are nearly the same between the two save for a necked down portion near the carrier (which makes them completely different but, you know...) The Cover on a Dana 50 is identical to old school Dana 44 fronts and rears. A "50" is cast into the top of the case on a Dana 50.... Same goes for the Dana 60, just with a "60" cast into it.

DCSpecial · #13 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sooper-Doodie

The Dana 50 is just a Dana 44 fitted with Dana 60 outers. The axle shafts are nearly the same between the two save for a necked down portion near the carrier (which makes them completely different but, you know...) The Cover on a Dana 50 is identical to old school Dana 44 fronts and rears. A "50" is cast into the top of the case on a Dana 50.... Same goes for the Dana 60, just with a "60" cast into it.

What is the same between the D44 and the D50?

Ring gear diameter is different and pinion shaft diameter is different.

Are you referring to the Diff Cover being indentical to a D44?

In the SD the D50 and D60 use the same cover.

cparks · #14 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sooper-Doodie

The Dana 50 is just a Dana 44 fitted with Dana 60 outers. The axle shafts are nearly the same between the two save for a necked down portion near the carrier (which makes them completely different but, you know...) The Cover on a Dana 50 is identical to old school Dana 44 fronts and rears. A "50" is cast into the top of the case on a Dana 50.... Same goes for the Dana 60, just with a "60" cast into it.

DANA 50 has a 9 inch Ring gear and the DANA 44 has an 8.5 inch. The DANA 50 is all around stronger, and a pretty darn good axle.

99f350sd · #15 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 06:48 PM

611194-2 Look for this number somewhere on the unit.. If you have a 2001 you have a D50 no doubt about it. Numbers you gave are good but you need this BOM number..
Of course if someone changed it?

Dick