Dana 60 reliability question

[jbolivar]

Anyone have experience with a 16 spline Dana 60 with power lok? I'm mainly interested in the reliability of the 16 spline axles. Thanks

[RCrawler]

As compared to what? The coarse splined axles are notoriously weak for anything but a stock application. You can upgrade them to 30 spline axles, but you need to change the carrier.

Jason

[redvalley]

If you're not puting too much power to 'em the 16 spline axles should be ok under your small bronco. I would think it would last pretty well with the power-lok, then when you get tired of one wheel spinning when you get stuck off-road (the limited slip is pretty much good for traction on pavement or a good dirt/gravel road) and move to a locker (or spool) get one that replaces the carrier (ie detroit) and upgrade the axles too.

[RCrawler]

If you are swapping a 16 spline Dana 60 into a Bronco, you are actually losing strength. The stock 28 spline 9" axles are stronger. If you are switching over to 8 lug, find a mid 70's up Ford Dana 60, a Sterling 10.25, or a GM 14 bolt. They are cheap and plentiful, and stronger than the early Dodge Dana 16 spline rearends.

Jason

[play400]

Be better off spending the $$ beefing up your 9" than putting that heavy unsprung load in your truck. I ran a nodular housing, large pinion support with 28 spline axles and never broke the back. Played real hard every weekend. Always wanted to try the 9" in the front as the 44's axles fit it but never bothered because the stock axles even with the big u-joints were always my downfall

[redvalley]

If you're going to the eight lug and got the 16 spline axle already for free it's a good place to start. Then when you get money you can upgrade the axles and carrier. The extra unsprung weight does have a few benefits, and like I said if you're not pushing too much HP it should be ok.

[Trevor1]

i have a 1978 f250 dana 60 (35 spline) rear end in my 79 big bronco and the big rear end is bulletproof and it eliminated wheelhop