I have a 2005 V10 truck, 4x4. Back when I got the truck I read a builder's guide and it said the V10 trucks had the Super 60 if they had the 4.30 ratio. I wasn't sure if that was the case or if the Super 60 was a F450/550 thing. Anyway, today I was checking out the part numbers for the Dana axles and sure enough it lists the front axle (differential to be more precise) parts for a F450/F550 as the same as the F250/F350 with 4.30 gearing.

Just figured I'd pass it along because I always kind of wondered if it was true/correct that the differential in the 2005+ trucks was a Super 60 (with 4.30 ratio, V10 or Tow Boss truck). It's not just in the Ford builders guide, but it's listed that way in the Dana parts catalog.

So, those with the 4.30 gearing got a Super 60 since 2005 (the 7000 lbs axle as opposed to the 6000 axle).

 

Thats cool. I am stuck with the Dana 50 5,000 pound axle in front.

 

But you probably don't have the bigger u joints on the front axles. They are probably the smaller ones that go with the Dana 60. I think the only thing that is common with the F450/550 is the differential - 10" ring gear and pinion. The axles aren't bigger.

I have the supposedly super 60. My front axle tubes are like a super 60 at 3.75" in diameter, but I have the smaller 4-3/16" u joints.

The axle probably is still rated at 6000 lbs as all the other suspension components are the same as the dana 60 not the super 60.

 

I think you're right. However, it just reminds me, assures me that I have the larger ring and pinion. So, if the I address the next weakest link I know the r/p is probably strong enough not to have to worry about. That's a plus. The weight rating isn't just based on the axle anyway, so if the axle is rated at 6000 but has 7000 parts at least "I" know the difference.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like the F250 - F550 use the same u-joint 5-806x. (1480)

Yep, just double checked and same u-joint as F450 and F550. I'm starting to wonder where the weak link is now

 

The only thing I am sure of is that it is pretty confusing. Seminaryranger and I had a little discussion about the super 60 front axle when I wasn't sure I had one.

He posted a link for an article - I think it was from 4 wheel offroad and it said the Dana 60s use 1480-series U-joints (SPL 55) that are 4 3/16" in diameter and the Super 60 used on '05 and newer F450/550 has 1550-series U-joints (SPL70) that are 5". It also stated that because of the larger u joints, the Super 60 uses larger greaseable ball joints.

With the larger ball joints I am assuming that the castings for the ball joints are bigger and farther apart and only work with the bigger brake assembly and the 19.5" rims and won't work with the smaller brake assembly and the 17" rims.

The bottom line is that I am still confused and really don't know what is what. So you maybe right I don't know.

 

Well, when I was looking at the Spicer u-joint catalog it shows the F250 - F550 as using the 5-806x (1480-series) u-joints, but my catalog only goes through 2006.

Could you tell physical differences between your and Seminaryranger's axles?

 

I remember talking with bucci about the Dana Super 60 front axle. The only thing I was sure of was that my 5.4L 4.10 truck DOES NOT have the Super 60, LoL.

But I also remember reading that F250 & F350 trucks with the v10 4.30 ring and pinions were equipt with the Dana Super 60 front end. Peterson's 4-Wheel and Off Road did an article about this axle; however, their article showed an axle out of a F450. Therefore, the axle in the pictures has the larger brakes and 19.5" wheels. Here are the pics they took:










I know for a fact that my truck has the standard Dana 60 front end. While this isn't the best picture for comparison, it does show the knuckle and u-joint. Besides a little a surface rust, look at the differences. Notice, especially, where the stub axle meets the seal on the tube.




Let me know what you guys get figured out. This is an interesting topic to me, unlike the debated rear 37 spline Sterling 10.5" in the F350!

 

I read that article too and it was confusing because it shows a F450. Well, Dana/Spicer shows the ring and pinion between a F450/F550 being the same as a F250/F350 with the 4.30 ratio (at least for my year 2005). The u-joints are the same as well. The axle shafts though are different.

 

That's kewl information.

Bill, I too have the Dana 50, with 3.73's, and after putting Warn locking hubs on it, I've done all sorts of things to it and it hasn't broken yet.

Bouncing on all 4 wheels in 4LOW on asphalt with my foot to the floor pulling stumps is about the worst thing I've done to it, and that's pretty bad

The problem is when you get into much bigger tires, combined with lower gear ratios, and even worse, start pushing big HP/torque out of a tuned diesel, the Dana 50 won't hold up. But how much longer will a Dana 60 last in a situation like that? I had a Dana 44 in the front of my highboy, that thing had big miles on it, 33" tires, and I abused the HELL out of it. I actually blew the Dana 60 rear on dirt in 4x4 but never the Dana 44.

I'd still like a Super 60 though, but - what does that do with the "unsprung" weight and how it rides in bumpy terrain? Dunno. Until I regear or blow the darn thing, I wouldn't run out and get a Super 60 though

 

That makes me feel better. I am planning on running 285s and sled pulling with it, and sevral people have told Me that it will never last like that.

 

Interesting, I thought the "Super" 60 was just a regular ol' 60 with larger u-joints.

 

No, it's different. The ring and pinion is physically larger in the Super 60. My Spicer catalog actually shows the u-joints as being the same. Go figure.

 

Is the carrier larger or the same? If the carrier is the same and pinion depth is the same, then are aftermarket D60 gears used often in the Super 60?

 

I just checked with Randy's Ring and Pinion and the Super 60 has a 10" gear set (ring gear) but the aftermarket is all 9.75 (the regular Dana 60). So, the carrier is the same and yes all the aftermarket gears will be regular Dana 60 gears and all lockers/limited slips will be the same between the two. Aftermarket doesn't make 10" gears for the Dana 60/Super 60, just the standard 9.75" gears.

The differences are the ring and pinion and some seals (inner and pinion I think...I forget what Sean said).