Wheeling the Dana 61. . . ?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: GANS
Here are the real facts on the Dana 61, since everyone seems to be posting a lot of incorrect info.
The housing is _way_ beefy than a 60. They have 3.5" tubes and have 30 spline axle shafts.
The shafts suck like the normal 60 FF shafts.
They don't have 'obsolete' or 'hard to find' parts. there are tons of them out there.
They also came from the factory with 4.56 gears, however, they are not available now.
You can run some low gears, like 5.38s with a series 3 (either 3 or 4, can't remembeR) Dana 60 carrier, thick gears, and a ring gear spacer, like those available from Reider Racing.
Also, one more thing is that the spindle ID is rumored to be 1.6" which means 35spline shafts without boring the housing. I have a D61 in my F250, haven't measured the spindles though.
So, I don't think the D61 is a horrible axle since you can have close to Dana 70 strength with a lot more gound clearance.
Here is the scoop from Dana Spicer on your axle
http://www2.dana.com/Expert/wc.dll?h...artl~605299-5~
The housing is _way_ beefy than a 60. They have 3.5" tubes and have 30 spline axle shafts.
The shafts suck like the normal 60 FF shafts.
They don't have 'obsolete' or 'hard to find' parts. there are tons of them out there.
They also came from the factory with 4.56 gears, however, they are not available now.
You can run some low gears, like 5.38s with a series 3 (either 3 or 4, can't remembeR) Dana 60 carrier, thick gears, and a ring gear spacer, like those available from Reider Racing.
Also, one more thing is that the spindle ID is rumored to be 1.6" which means 35spline shafts without boring the housing. I have a D61 in my F250, haven't measured the spindles though.
So, I don't think the D61 is a horrible axle since you can have close to Dana 70 strength with a lot more gound clearance.
Here is the scoop from Dana Spicer on your axle
http://www2.dana.com/Expert/wc.dll?h...artl~605299-5~
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
Originally Posted by bremen242
Also, one more thing is that the spindle ID is rumored to be 1.6" which means 35spline shafts without boring the housing. I have a D61 in my F250, haven't measured the spindles though.
Get some carrier gears as well. Thanks Bremen for the link, and leads on possible upgrade parts
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by bremen242
So, I don't think the D61 is a horrible axle since you can have close to Dana 70 strength with a lot more gound clearance.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: GANS
Originally Posted by proeliator
Excellent post, bremen, but I disagree with this one fact. You don't get a lot more ground clearance over a 70, and in fact, not any ground clearance over a 70u. 70's are not ditch diggers like corp. 14s, although, 80's are.
Kubota- I believe they are the same housing. mine looks an awful lot like a big 70; it has a slight lip on the bottom, but it look really beefy. I'll get some pics of mine this weekend and post them to show everyone..
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
I already have some pics loaded from another thread. . .save you the trouble of crawling under your truck
Here are those pics, click the thumbs. . .
This last pick is of the under side.
I found alot of info in my own searches with what was provided here, but nothing to explain the brakes (becuase of the year, they used 10.25 outers?). A true odd ball?
You guys have been a big help so far, much appreciated! If you need any other pics, holler!
Here are those pics, click the thumbs. . .
This last pick is of the under side.
I found alot of info in my own searches with what was provided here, but nothing to explain the brakes (becuase of the year, they used 10.25 outers?). A true odd ball?
You guys have been a big help so far, much appreciated! If you need any other pics, holler!
Last edited by Franken-Truck; Aug 17, 2005 at 05:31 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 306
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
When I bought my Front D60, i got a rear axle for free although its pretty rusty. I cant find the BOM, but the axle tubes are 3.5 inches thick however they taper down at the end. It also has 30 spline axle shafts, 4.10 gears and a trac-loc. its almost identical to the axle above, but the drums are behind the hubs. The guy claimed it came out of the same 78 F350. I'll look more into it today
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,739
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From: GANS
Yeah, my '85 has drums behind the hubs. what a pain.
They must have changed them to the sterling style.. or maybe it is a van thing. Seems like Ford does a lot of different stuff to the E-series then the F-series trucks..
They must have changed them to the sterling style.. or maybe it is a van thing. Seems like Ford does a lot of different stuff to the E-series then the F-series trucks..
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 306
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Update
I guess its a 61 then, the spindles DO measure 1.6 inches. Besides the 3.5" axle tubes, the housing is almost identical to the D60 on my 73 250, the bottom webbing is about the same. . Even the axle shafts are the same length and diameter, just have different splines (16-30) so that means the housing isnt offset.
It has 4.10 gears with a trac-lok that are both in great condition. Whats the difference between a 60 and 61 carrier? could they interchange?
Little side note... Does the Ford 9.75 really have 1.71 diameter axle shafts? No wonder my axle has held up to numerous roastings of 35's on pavement and my friends with 37's... not bad for a half-ton!
I guess its a 61 then, the spindles DO measure 1.6 inches. Besides the 3.5" axle tubes, the housing is almost identical to the D60 on my 73 250, the bottom webbing is about the same. . Even the axle shafts are the same length and diameter, just have different splines (16-30) so that means the housing isnt offset.
It has 4.10 gears with a trac-lok that are both in great condition. Whats the difference between a 60 and 61 carrier? could they interchange?
Little side note... Does the Ford 9.75 really have 1.71 diameter axle shafts? No wonder my axle has held up to numerous roastings of 35's on pavement and my friends with 37's... not bad for a half-ton!
Last edited by Amtek; Aug 18, 2005 at 05:04 AM.
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Postmaster
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From: Virginia Beach
It does look like its set to one side. I dunno if its the way its shaped, or the shadows of my garage, but it does look like one tube is longer than the other. Maybe not a few inches, but I did measure a beer inch difference 
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