Dana 61 Swap
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna Canada
Dana 61 Swap
Howdy I have a Dana 61 in the rear of my 79 F-250 Supercab Ranger XLT Camper Special with 3.07 gears. It's great for the flat but as soon as we hit a hill, shazzam down to 60 k Other than swapping out the the diff drum to drum, is there anything else that can be done. What gears should I be lokking for 3:73 or 4:10 Thanks for your time
Gord
79 F-250
82 Volvo GLT
Gord
79 F-250
82 Volvo GLT
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Dana 61 Swap
Hey Gordon! where do you live?
I have a dana 60 with 3.73s that I just pulled out of my F250 camper special. are you sure on that 3.07 ratio? thats sounds like just what I want! 4.10s are great for towing all the time, 3.73s are a comprimise to get a wee bit better mileage. 3.07s suck for towing unless you stick a big diesel in it like mine. what condition is your axle in? wanna swap?
Will
I have a dana 60 with 3.73s that I just pulled out of my F250 camper special. are you sure on that 3.07 ratio? thats sounds like just what I want! 4.10s are great for towing all the time, 3.73s are a comprimise to get a wee bit better mileage. 3.07s suck for towing unless you stick a big diesel in it like mine. what condition is your axle in? wanna swap?
Will
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna Canada
Dana 61 Swap
Howdy Will,
About that axle thing, we are in Kelowna BC Canada.
Where are you?? The truck has 165000km in good shape and has been maintained. Yes it is a Dana 61 3:07 gears (Axle Code 22)
Get back to me Thanks
Gord
About that axle thing, we are in Kelowna BC Canada.
Where are you?? The truck has 165000km in good shape and has been maintained. Yes it is a Dana 61 3:07 gears (Axle Code 22)
Get back to me Thanks
Gord
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Dana 61 Swap
Gord...
I am east of San Antonio Tx., a wee to far away. but thanx for the axle code though! that will help on my search. mine has new brakes and is in very good shape. I am afraid shiping would be too much to go that far away.
Will
I am east of San Antonio Tx., a wee to far away. but thanx for the axle code though! that will help on my search. mine has new brakes and is in very good shape. I am afraid shiping would be too much to go that far away.
Will
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Dana 61 Swap
Scot...
Is it a narow frame truck? if I'm not mistaken I think the "super camper special" trucks had the narrow frame like a one ton or 3/4 4x4. if so the spring mounts and shock brackets are diffrent. mine measures 44 3/4 center to center on the springs. any idea what people do when they ship large objects or how its done?
Will
Is it a narow frame truck? if I'm not mistaken I think the "super camper special" trucks had the narrow frame like a one ton or 3/4 4x4. if so the spring mounts and shock brackets are diffrent. mine measures 44 3/4 center to center on the springs. any idea what people do when they ship large objects or how its done?
Will
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,956
Likes: 10
From: MD
Dana 61 Swap
Why would someone want a weak Dana 61 with 3.07 gears in a Camper Special? I would think they came with the Dana 70 to help with the camper weight.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Dana 61 Swap
well the 61 has larger webing and is soposed to be stronger than a 60.
a few things don't interchange between the 60 and 61 and I belive just the fact that its diffrent and genraly has tall gears people call it "weak". it was put under the camper specials because its a tiny bit stronger than a 60 and 70s did not come in the 73-79 trucks as I recall. I know they have a higher gawr on the 61s. so go figure? I would look for a dana 70 if they came with gears like that. the best I have heard of until now is 3.54 and that is for a 60.
just what I have heard and learned, thats all I can go by. but if there is some real reson why I should stay away from a dana 61 I would like to know what that is. thanx
Will
a few things don't interchange between the 60 and 61 and I belive just the fact that its diffrent and genraly has tall gears people call it "weak". it was put under the camper specials because its a tiny bit stronger than a 60 and 70s did not come in the 73-79 trucks as I recall. I know they have a higher gawr on the 61s. so go figure? I would look for a dana 70 if they came with gears like that. the best I have heard of until now is 3.54 and that is for a 60.
just what I have heard and learned, thats all I can go by. but if there is some real reson why I should stay away from a dana 61 I would like to know what that is. thanx
Will
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: 15 miles west of Venus
Dana 61 Swap
>Scot...
>
>Is it a narow frame truck? if I'm not mistaken I think the
>"super camper special" trucks had the narrow frame like a
>one ton or 3/4 4x4. if so the spring mounts and shock
>brackets are diffrent. mine measures 44 3/4 center to center
>on the springs. any idea what people do when they ship large
>objects or how its done?
>
>Will
Finally got a chance to measure this thing. The springs are 46.?" apart, the same as a normal frame. I have not driven this truck except up on to the trailer. I will try to drive it this weekend and see what is sounds like and confirm gear ratio.
Where east of SA are you? I could probably get it to Kerrville in September. Are you wanting to buy or swap?
>
>Is it a narow frame truck? if I'm not mistaken I think the
>"super camper special" trucks had the narrow frame like a
>one ton or 3/4 4x4. if so the spring mounts and shock
>brackets are diffrent. mine measures 44 3/4 center to center
>on the springs. any idea what people do when they ship large
>objects or how its done?
>
>Will
Finally got a chance to measure this thing. The springs are 46.?" apart, the same as a normal frame. I have not driven this truck except up on to the trailer. I will try to drive it this weekend and see what is sounds like and confirm gear ratio.
Where east of SA are you? I could probably get it to Kerrville in September. Are you wanting to buy or swap?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: 15 miles west of Venus
Dana 61 Swap
>Dana 60 and 61 has the same housing. Only difference is the
>gears.
>Yes, Dana 70's did come in 73-79 trucks.
Could you get one under the wide frame and if so what kind of truck?
>gears.
>Yes, Dana 70's did come in 73-79 trucks.
Could you get one under the wide frame and if so what kind of truck?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Dana 61 Swap
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Jul-02 AT 07:03 PM (EST)]hey Scot...
the early to mid 80's f250 diesels had those and they will fit the wide frame, dads got 2 trucks and they will bolt right in my 75 they have the biger wheel studs too.
the early to mid 80's f250 diesels had those and they will fit the wide frame, dads got 2 trucks and they will bolt right in my 75 they have the biger wheel studs too.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks USA
Dana 61 Swap
I guess this is a related question, I'm looking to put a disc brake front end under my 1973 F250 Highboy Frame. It weighs 5300lbs dry with the 1970 Body on it. Which front end is the best for the conversion, 44vs60vs70 and how do I tell them apart when I go junkyard hunting(with or without tags). Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ralph
Thanks,
Ralph
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: 15 miles west of Venus
Dana 61 Swap
Define "best."
'44's are easiest to find, atleast around here. Most appear to be rated 3800 lbs. It will bolt in and as I remember, you had to move one shock bracket. Get the u-bolts and all hardware. The open knuckle disc had one shock in front and one behind the axle. You will need to go to a 2psi check (drums run 8psi) for the discs. I forget if the pressure is held in the master cylinder or proportioning valve. I seem to remember pulling it out of the MC.
'60's are more expensive, harder to find and stronger and thus more desirable. They usually fetch about $1K on EBAY. I will probably end up running one eventually.
'44's are easiest to find, atleast around here. Most appear to be rated 3800 lbs. It will bolt in and as I remember, you had to move one shock bracket. Get the u-bolts and all hardware. The open knuckle disc had one shock in front and one behind the axle. You will need to go to a 2psi check (drums run 8psi) for the discs. I forget if the pressure is held in the master cylinder or proportioning valve. I seem to remember pulling it out of the MC.
'60's are more expensive, harder to find and stronger and thus more desirable. They usually fetch about $1K on EBAY. I will probably end up running one eventually.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,956
Likes: 10
From: MD
Dana 61 Swap
>>Dana 60 and 61 has the same housing. Only difference is the
>>gears.
>>Yes, Dana 70's did come in 73-79 trucks.
>
>Could you get one under the wide frame and if so what kind
>of truck?
You can find a Dana 70 on a 2WD 73-79 which has the wide frame. The pickups that came with a Dana 70 usually are on F350's, or if you're a lucky, a Camper Special. Also can be found under a F250/F350 Supercab. But I had a F350 4x4 Supercab that came with a Dana 60 in rear. It must be optional? Maybe a Trailer Special, too. Not sure on the Trailer Special.
To check without crawling under the bed, you can look at the door data tag providing if the original axle is still there.
27 - Dana 70 4.10
28 - Dana 70 4.56
36 - Dana 70 3.73
D7 - Dana 70 Limited Slip 4.10
>>gears.
>>Yes, Dana 70's did come in 73-79 trucks.
>
>Could you get one under the wide frame and if so what kind
>of truck?
You can find a Dana 70 on a 2WD 73-79 which has the wide frame. The pickups that came with a Dana 70 usually are on F350's, or if you're a lucky, a Camper Special. Also can be found under a F250/F350 Supercab. But I had a F350 4x4 Supercab that came with a Dana 60 in rear. It must be optional? Maybe a Trailer Special, too. Not sure on the Trailer Special.
To check without crawling under the bed, you can look at the door data tag providing if the original axle is still there.
27 - Dana 70 4.10
28 - Dana 70 4.56
36 - Dana 70 3.73
D7 - Dana 70 Limited Slip 4.10