I just bought a '66 f100 short bed, and when I looked at the axle, I was expecting to see a 9", but to my surprise, there is a Dana 60?!? Was this ever an option on the half ton? It appears to have smaller tubes than a F250 D60, and it is not a full floater, and does have 5 on 5-1/2' bolt pattern. Unfortuately, no door tag to figure out the axle code. Has anyone heard of this or know what this axle comes from?

Will a 9" from the 70's trucks interchange, or are they too wide?

I am excited to get working on this truck! Thanks in advance for any info!

 

Big, I have read here that some trucks came with Dana 44s but AFAIK all 60s are 8 lug.

John

 

My 64 f100 was a special order truck. If you ordered your 1/2 ton truck with a limited slip rear end you would get a dana 60 with 5 lug hubs. Mine has 4:10 gearing. I just replaced the 4:10's with 3:54's with a t-98 4 speed trans and lt235-75-15 tires it runs out real nice on the hiway.

 

Sorry, not totally correct. If you ordered a 1961/66 F100 Ford truck with the Heavy Duty Package, it came with a Spicer (now Dana) 60. If the truck didn't come with the HD package, (very few did) it won't have a Spicer 60. When you bought a 1961/66 4X4 pickup off the lot or special ordered it from Ford with limited slip the rear axle will be a Spicer 44, except on 1965/66's with the V8 engine. Those models came with either a 44 or a 9 inch. The reason that 65/66 V8 4X4's came with either a Spicer 44 or a 9 inch had to do with the availability of the 9" rear end. Besides F100's, 9 inchers were also used in 1965/66 big Fords and Mercs, both of which were hot sellers in those years. The HD package was not available on the Four Wheel Drive models.


Some Spicer 44's with limited slip were also used on the 2WD's, but most 2WD limited slips are Ford 9 inchers. I began working for Ford in 1962, so I've been around these trucks since most of them were new, and have always had a preference for them. I bought a new 1965 F100 2WD with limited slip. I still own it, and it has a Ford 9 inch.


OP: A Spicer (Dana) 60 has a 9 bolt rear cover, a Spicer 44 has a 10 bolt rear cover.

 

This truck is a bit of a mystery. I have a suspicion that it may have started life as a LWB truck, as there is a welded splice in the frame, with a couple of flame cut gussets that are obviously not factory (not to worry, very professionally done, and has survived 15+ years) Also, there is evidence that the cab forward are original panels, except the drivers door, so missing the tag. So all I have is the VIN, which as far as I know, the rest of the production data is lost unless someone has a database where the production data could be retrieved.
But, the emblems on the side are "camper special". Do camper specials include the Heavy Duty Package? Also, was the camper special/heavy duty package an option on SWB trucks? Since the D60 axle was available on 1966 1/2 tons, can I assume that the axle is from a similar vintage truck?
I also am really wondering if anyone has a list of axle widths for different years (say 1960s-1980s.) I guess I will probably stick with the D60, but I know 9"s are good axles and available at every boneyard, and if I can find one with a good ratio, I might consider replacing it.

Good info! Thanks again!

 

As far as I know, the 1965/66 Camper Specials were all long beds, but I have no real proof of that. I've only seen about 10 total. The Camper Specials had heavier springs, a larger battery, extra gauges and other amenities that came with the package. It's possible someone did order your truck with the Heavy Duty package along with the Camper Special package, but first we have to prove your truck is a true CS.


The truck was prolly rear ended early in its life, so someone cut the frame and put the shorty box on it. I've seen that done before. The fenders could have been changed also, and someone may have added the CS badges. Without the VIN plate (on the left door face near the latch on 1965/66's), there's no way to determine the original GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight), and axle type. The VIN has only the series code, engine size, assembly plant, and numerical sequence of assembly number..that's it.


There's no database (I wish!) that has any records of what equipment matched the VIN's for trucks. Ford tossed that info out 25+ yrs ago, and as far as I know, there are no copies.


I have the entire list of what came with the Camper Specials. I'll post it in a few minutes. Then you can look at yours and see what matches. The only problem is, most of the CS equipment was available on other models..it wasn't special just for the CS's.

 

OP>>>Are you sure you have a Spicer 60? Counting the bolts that hold the rear axle cover on will tell the story. 10 = 44 / 9 = 60.

 

I will have to check it out again. Unfortunatly, the truck is not at my house, and I won't see it again until next week. I when I was inspecting it before I bought it, I compared it to my `73 F250 rather quickly, and it appeared to be a 60, and bigger than a 44, but I realize that is not good enough to be a fact. The other thing is that it has a pretty heavy spring pack. Of course that is compared to nothing, so I will have to check it out in more detail! I will repost in a week!
Thanks!

 

Dual Western Mirrors / Extra Cooling Radiator/ Ammeter and Oil Pressure Gauges / 300 I-6 or 352 V8 / Cruise-O-Matic or 4 Speed Transmission / Extended Tailpipe / 70 Amp Hour Battery / 55 Amp Alternator / Unique Fender Emblem. In addition, heavier front and rear springs were used.


Rather meager equipment when compared to today's trucks. While a heater was (finally) standard equipment in 1966, the AM radio was still an option, as was a cigarette lighter, 2 speed wipers, and outside mirrors of any type. When you stepped up to a Custom Cab, you still didn't get any of these features. All were extra cost.

 

I have a 64 - and it has the original Spicer 60-2. with that 4.10. I would love to get a 3.54. Killerkjn - where did you get it? how and how much $$.

My truck also has a the 262- 6 cylinder.

Texas Monty

 

I have a 64 F100 equipped with limited slip (from the factory) and it is a Spicer 44 (10 bolts). I read the shop manual as implying the F100 with limited slip is a 44 or a 60-2. My gears are 3.73 which are two low. It has 3 speed light duty. I am going to change to a T-85 w/OD when I rebuild it this year or next.

POP

 

To add to my earlier post. My 1964 f-100 has a limited slip dana 60-2. with 4:10 gears. It also has the heavy duty package aka (7 leaf springs). On my door tag the axle code is b5 which does not show in my shop manual. It also has a special order of DSO #734290. Some of these trucks seem to come very oddly equipped. I guess every one had a different idea of what the perfect truck should be and ordered them that way.

 

Killerkjn - that is EXACTLY what I have. Limited slip with 4.10. the axle code is B5 - and that code is not shown in my shop manual - I have an original shop manual, and a reproduction one - they are the same. and I have the 7 leaf spring thing. and the T-98 4 speed tranny with granny.

thanks. I am off to find the 3.54.

 

OK, I took another look at the axle. And I am really confused. It has 10 bolts. But I compared to my bronco front D44, and a '78 3/4 ton D60 (which also has 10 bolts) and the housing is similar to the '78 D60 full floater and is much larger than the D44 on the bronco. Did the later spicer/Dana 60's have a different bolt cover? I can't come up with any conclusions except, the axle came from an oddball truck (dodge, chevy??), or someone custom built this axle from a full floater. I really wish the P.O. would find the door tag! killerkjn or TM, does your truck have 10 or 9 bolts?

 

My rear end is a 10 bolt