O.K. ineed to know how to tell the differance between a Dana60 and a Dana 61, will someone PLEASE help me with this? The only things that I can find is that due to higher gears(lower num.) the Dana 61's pinion hole is offset more the the regular Dana60. Well I've never looked at the regular Dana 60 more than helping a freind change his brakes. (it always took the abuse). Please help!

 

Look for 61 cast into the bottom of the housing somewhere. Also 61's usually had 30 spline or smaller shafts. As far as I know you can't get one with deeper than 3.50 gears. Most were 3.30 something. Call some of the bigger driveline shops. They helped me a lot when I had the same problem.

 

This axle is a full floater. I was told that the 61 never came configured as a full floater. Do you or anyone outhere know if this is true? I will try to call some drive line shops and find out.

 

I have a Dana 61 in my truck, it is a full floater and has 4.10 gears and a Detroit Locker. I just went out to look for the casting mark could not see it, need to hit it with a pressure washer.

 

I know on a reg. Dana like the 44, 60, etc. as you face the rear of the axle when it is in your ride. The casting number should be on the lower right hand webbing. Mine is rusty smooth. No sign of any casting at all. Anyone else got any answers for me? I can't get anyone on the phine to ask about this.

 

This just in, I called the dealer, They looked up the differences between the 60 & 61 and told me that according to the book, as long as they came out of a pick up and not a van and as long as were talking from 74 to 79, then it doesn't matter whether it is a 60 or 61 because they use the exact same axles, rings, pinions, carriers, etc.

 

Don't believe everything you hear from a dealer. Check out Reider Racing or one of the other 4 wheel shops. Search Dana 61 and you will find nothing but bad news most of the time.

 

I have a D61 with a 3.07 gear and it is full floating. The D61 housing looks more like a D70 housing. It is bigger and heavier than a D60. Ford called these axles their "mileage maker" axles and they normally have 3.07 or 3.31 gears. I have heard of 3.53 gears also. AFAIK you can stuff 4.10 gears in also. The parts interchange with D60 parts for ratios under 4.10. They really do help get better mileage out of a big 460 or a 400, the motors with the torque to turn them. The D61 was offered in E/F250's and 350's. The D61-1 is the open diff model, the D61-2 is the limited slip version. The -2 model was only offered according to my 78 books in F250/350 trucks with the 460.

 

My truck came from the factory with a Dana 61 stuffed with 4.10 gears, the locker was my idea! As far as the locker is concerned it is made for a 61, the model for the 60 would not work in my axle.

 

Dana 61 did come in full-float & semi-float. The axle housing tubes are 3 1/2" Dia. Also 61 will be cast in the left front web on top inside a diamond.

 

67-72williso, thanks for the exact location.

 

Well, I really am lost now because there is nothing cast in the webbing. NADA! NO GOTTY NO NOTTY! There is however, a few numbers cast in the diff, one of which has a sereis of numbers and one of them with a 61-2? Which is it?

 

Dweddell Get the numbers off the rear and i`ll tell you what you have. The numbers will look like this 603932-4. Looking at the rear cover they are on the right tube about 3" over on the center of the tube. Later Willis

 

Thanks Willis, I will get beack with you tommorow!

Later, Danny.