Traction Rear End?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: poulsbo, wa
Traction Rear End?
There's no indication my '66 F250 was manufactured with anything other than a plain jane Dana 60 rear end, 4.10, but I am puzzled by occurrences when I spin both rear wheels in reverse, scattering gravel in my level driveway. Does the fact that both wheels spin say anything, other than there's a wild and crazy driver at the wheel? What test could tell me if the rear end has some traction feature?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: East Central Florida
It says both wheels have equal traction, or lack of it, your vehicle is straight & not in a curve or turn and that you are in reverse hammering the accelerator pedal. But that's about all.
FBp
FBp
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: East Central Florida
Oh yeah, a test,
Put one wheel on something that has known traction, like dry pavement and put the other wheel on something which does not, wet tin, grass, mud, etc. accelerate off that and have somebody watch what happens. If the wheel on wet spins free you do not have a traction device rear, but both wheels engage and you drive off with no wheel spin to speak of, then you do. Some traction devices may take a bit of slip to engage themself. If you back up into the test, and you have a traction device, some will be "equal" when the forward motion begins so both wheels behave the same.
But I seriously doubt you've a traction device in a 66 F250 2Wd Slick. It'd be rare!
FBp
Put one wheel on something that has known traction, like dry pavement and put the other wheel on something which does not, wet tin, grass, mud, etc. accelerate off that and have somebody watch what happens. If the wheel on wet spins free you do not have a traction device rear, but both wheels engage and you drive off with no wheel spin to speak of, then you do. Some traction devices may take a bit of slip to engage themself. If you back up into the test, and you have a traction device, some will be "equal" when the forward motion begins so both wheels behave the same.
But I seriously doubt you've a traction device in a 66 F250 2Wd Slick. It'd be rare!
FBp
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: seattle
Or an easier way to tell....jack up rear at center, blocking front wheels of course...with it out of gear see if both rear wheels spin when you turn it by hand...if they do, its a posi....a rare unit indeed....whats your door tag say as far as an axle code ???
cs65
cs65
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: poulsbo, wa
Axle code is 24: Dana 60, 4:10, Wt Capacity 5,200 lbs. Transmission: 4-speed New Process 435.
However, as owner for less than a year, I don't know what might have been changed during the previous 37 years.
I will say I'm really enjoying the power train combo on this truck. Don't know what my mileage is, but I wouldn't trade my power and torque for 20 mpg.
Thanks for the test tips. I'll try one or the other one of these days.
However, as owner for less than a year, I don't know what might have been changed during the previous 37 years.
I will say I'm really enjoying the power train combo on this truck. Don't know what my mileage is, but I wouldn't trade my power and torque for 20 mpg.
Thanks for the test tips. I'll try one or the other one of these days.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Charlotte
He-he! That is the power and Lure of the FE. Many call it antiquated and old tech, but man you can't beat the torque! I love my old 390 and drive it as often as I can. I don't hesitate to take it to the track or the grocery store. More fun at the track though! 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: East Central Florida
CS65,
FWIW Jacking up a Dana by it's center section is a good way to get fired from a dealership.
Actually jacking up any vehicle with a live rear suspension by center of rear axle assy is not a reccomended procedure as it may well bend the rear end housing.
Danas are just more fragile because steel axle housing tubes are pressed & tacked into the cast center section housing. Nearly all OEM Service & repair manuals specify to use proper jacking points, and not the rear end housing. It is just not capable of the leveraged load center jacking creates. . . . I Just thought you might like to know.
FBp
FWIW Jacking up a Dana by it's center section is a good way to get fired from a dealership.
Actually jacking up any vehicle with a live rear suspension by center of rear axle assy is not a reccomended procedure as it may well bend the rear end housing.
Danas are just more fragile because steel axle housing tubes are pressed & tacked into the cast center section housing. Nearly all OEM Service & repair manuals specify to use proper jacking points, and not the rear end housing. It is just not capable of the leveraged load center jacking creates. . . . I Just thought you might like to know.
FBp
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: seattle
FBP....thanks for the heads up....I never done that to mine as I just read the codes and such....anyone know how to decipher the Dana tags ????
24, btw, is a std 4:10 rear gear...same as mine...a brute
cs65
24, btw, is a std 4:10 rear gear...same as mine...a brute
cs65
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