Dana 60 front gear question.
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Elder User
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Dana 60 front gear question.
Now that I have to do a front gear change, since I want to keep the 4:10 setup...
Didn't Ford always have a split, so the front axle drove 1% faster?
ie; 3:54/3:55, 4:09/4:10 etc?
The reason I ask, when I look on ebay, the only ones found are 4:10-1 front gears(reverse rotation-or high pinion).
I always thought the 4:11-1 gears was a car ratio, and the trucks had 4:10-1?
I want to keep the factory split because I hear it makes the vehicle track better on ice. I am pretty sure that Dodge and Chevy used the same ratio front to back in their 4x4's.
Or could the split be used in say only the half tons for driveability, vrs. 3/4 and 1 tons-no split for pure strength?
Perhaps someone could clarify this, or am I worrying about nothing?
Btw-gotta love the ebay prices! I bet I couldn't find any gears local for under $500.
Didn't Ford always have a split, so the front axle drove 1% faster?
ie; 3:54/3:55, 4:09/4:10 etc?
The reason I ask, when I look on ebay, the only ones found are 4:10-1 front gears(reverse rotation-or high pinion).
I always thought the 4:11-1 gears was a car ratio, and the trucks had 4:10-1?
I want to keep the factory split because I hear it makes the vehicle track better on ice. I am pretty sure that Dodge and Chevy used the same ratio front to back in their 4x4's.
Or could the split be used in say only the half tons for driveability, vrs. 3/4 and 1 tons-no split for pure strength?
Perhaps someone could clarify this, or am I worrying about nothing?
Btw-gotta love the ebay prices! I bet I couldn't find any gears local for under $500.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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Hmm, I wondered about that!
I might see what some local shops would charge to install and set up the gears-I bet it will be pricey.
I just went through all that fun stuff with a D44, except I had access to a press, which now I do not.
I even went as far as grinding out the ID of some old bearings to set pinion depth, and carrier shimming, so the ground bearings slip on and off with light pressure-those bearings are hard stuff! It sure made life easier to get the gear pattern close to usable for a front axle. Then a minimum amount of press work is needed.
I think I will try to find someone willing to lend me the use of their press, buy the gears and shim kit probly off of ebay-and do it myself-again.
The only problems I found on the axle so far are a leaky pinion seal-no big deal, and a couple of broken off grease nipples, heh. I also noticed that the "spring plates" -the factory ones on the bottom where the u-bolt nuts rest against are identical from a 79 HD Dana44 front, to the Dana 60 front-even the same part numbers cast in.
So, soon to be smelling of nice gear oil stank
Let the fun begin! 
hehehee
I might see what some local shops would charge to install and set up the gears-I bet it will be pricey.
I just went through all that fun stuff with a D44, except I had access to a press, which now I do not.
I even went as far as grinding out the ID of some old bearings to set pinion depth, and carrier shimming, so the ground bearings slip on and off with light pressure-those bearings are hard stuff! It sure made life easier to get the gear pattern close to usable for a front axle. Then a minimum amount of press work is needed.
I think I will try to find someone willing to lend me the use of their press, buy the gears and shim kit probly off of ebay-and do it myself-again.
The only problems I found on the axle so far are a leaky pinion seal-no big deal, and a couple of broken off grease nipples, heh. I also noticed that the "spring plates" -the factory ones on the bottom where the u-bolt nuts rest against are identical from a 79 HD Dana44 front, to the Dana 60 front-even the same part numbers cast in.
So, soon to be smelling of nice gear oil stank
Let the fun begin! hehehee
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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Ahh, ok, thanks fella's!
Any opinions on used gears?
A buddy of mine set up an old Chrysler 8 3/4 with some very crappy looking gears-chunks of teeth missing, huge corrosion pits. He beat the ever lovin crap out of it in a 69 dart, behind a built 340 4 spd., with some big mickey thompsons(tubbed)- no howling or clunks, and it pretty much outlived the rest of the car.
Any opinions on used gears?
A buddy of mine set up an old Chrysler 8 3/4 with some very crappy looking gears-chunks of teeth missing, huge corrosion pits. He beat the ever lovin crap out of it in a 69 dart, behind a built 340 4 spd., with some big mickey thompsons(tubbed)- no howling or clunks, and it pretty much outlived the rest of the car.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
No kidding? So what's this?
Don't yell at me, I'm only the messenger...I read and type what the parts catalog states.
The following is verbatum from the parts catalog:
1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog ** / Front Axle Application Chart / Section 30 / Page 6.
1979 F250/350 4WD Dana 60.
4500 lb. capacity 4.09-1 with free running hubs: Parts list 30.5Z.
R&P: D8TZ-3222-C .. 4.10-1
--------------------------------
4500 lb. capacity 4.09-1 without free running hubs: Parts list 30.5AA.
R&P: D7TZ-3222-A .. 4.09-1
Two similar front axles with the only difference being free running hubs, yet Ford lists TWO different R&P's. One a 4.10-1, the other a 4.09-1.
Confusing, ain't it?
For years, Ford lists 4.09-1 ratios for Dana 60's front and rear...when the actual R&P part numbers are looked up, Ford states: 4.09-1 / 4.10-1 / 4.11-1.
Lemme know when you figure it out. I did this scheiss for 35 years, and could never understand why Ford did it this way.
** Check it out yourself...this same parts catalog is available on a CD from hipoparts.com, also sold on ebay. The price is roughly $25.00.
Don't yell at me, I'm only the messenger...I read and type what the parts catalog states.
The following is verbatum from the parts catalog:
1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog ** / Front Axle Application Chart / Section 30 / Page 6.
1979 F250/350 4WD Dana 60.
4500 lb. capacity 4.09-1 with free running hubs: Parts list 30.5Z.
R&P: D8TZ-3222-C .. 4.10-1
--------------------------------
4500 lb. capacity 4.09-1 without free running hubs: Parts list 30.5AA.
R&P: D7TZ-3222-A .. 4.09-1
Two similar front axles with the only difference being free running hubs, yet Ford lists TWO different R&P's. One a 4.10-1, the other a 4.09-1.
Confusing, ain't it?
For years, Ford lists 4.09-1 ratios for Dana 60's front and rear...when the actual R&P part numbers are looked up, Ford states: 4.09-1 / 4.10-1 / 4.11-1.
Lemme know when you figure it out. I did this scheiss for 35 years, and could never understand why Ford did it this way.
** Check it out yourself...this same parts catalog is available on a CD from hipoparts.com, also sold on ebay. The price is roughly $25.00.
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Right on Bill, thanks!
I still haven't found any 4:09 D60 front gears-or any Dana 60 4:09's for that matter! They are listed for Dana 44's though(I forget the company atm)
Do you think the BOM would help any? I never did get the vin, or door frame sticker info. from the Dana 60 donor truck. It has the lock out style factory ford hubs.
I always thought the split was to help the truck keep the front end ahead of the truck-slightly pulling for slick surfaces. Although-even at 1% one would think binding would eventually occur.
For the life of me I cannot remember where I heard or read that.
Another Ford mystery!
I will get some numbers off the crown of my D44 and D60 and let you all know-just for curiousity sake.
I still haven't found any 4:09 D60 front gears-or any Dana 60 4:09's for that matter! They are listed for Dana 44's though(I forget the company atm)
Do you think the BOM would help any? I never did get the vin, or door frame sticker info. from the Dana 60 donor truck. It has the lock out style factory ford hubs.
I always thought the split was to help the truck keep the front end ahead of the truck-slightly pulling for slick surfaces. Although-even at 1% one would think binding would eventually occur.
For the life of me I cannot remember where I heard or read that.
Another Ford mystery!
I will get some numbers off the crown of my D44 and D60 and let you all know-just for curiousity sake.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Ford lists the AXLE code on the Warranty Plate. It could be two digits, it could be three. The third digit refers to the front axle...but...
In most cases, all the third digit refers to is whether the truck has P/S or not. Most AXLE codes do not decode the front axle...anudder bit of Ford confusion.
Post what you code is...you might get lucky (unless the third digit is a J = P/S).
DANA 60 ID Tag Location:
Rear Axle: On the housing just to the left (drivers side) of the inspection cover is a 2" x 1/2" plate bolted on (2 bolts). The code is 7 digits similar to this: 603010-1.
Front Axle: On the housing just to the right (passenger side) of the inspection cover. All the other info is the same as above.
In most cases, all the third digit refers to is whether the truck has P/S or not. Most AXLE codes do not decode the front axle...anudder bit of Ford confusion.
Post what you code is...you might get lucky (unless the third digit is a J = P/S).
DANA 60 ID Tag Location:
Rear Axle: On the housing just to the left (drivers side) of the inspection cover is a 2" x 1/2" plate bolted on (2 bolts). The code is 7 digits similar to this: 603010-1.
Front Axle: On the housing just to the right (passenger side) of the inspection cover. All the other info is the same as above.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: NE Wisconsin
I thought the ratio was decided by the difference in size of the ring and pinions. A 44 with a smaller pinion would be a slightly different ratio than slightly bigger pinion. Same size ring, different pinions. Would not explain difference in axle weight ratings though? Different pinions? hmm?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,483
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From: Tulare U.S.A.
I always heard that if you had a part time 4X4 their was a slight diffrence in gear raito because alot of t-cases were gear driven and that the gears would bind up making it hard to get it out of 4wd. The full time cases had a chain and plantiary set so you could run the same raito because their was more play in the drivetrain. I dont know if this is true, but thats what i always herd.
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Leadmic
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