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What years did Ford use Dana 60?

The Dana 60 axle is a heavy-duty rear axle assembly that has been used in a variety of Ford vehicles over the years. This axle is known for its strength and durability, making it a popular choice for trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles that need to handle heavy loads or off-road conditions.


Years Ford Used the Dana 60 Axle


Ford has utilized the Dana 60 axle in several of its models over the decades. The Dana 60 was first introduced in Ford vehicles in the late 1960s and was commonly used in the following models:



  • Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks (1969-1997)

  • Ford Bronco (1978-1996)

  • Ford Excursion (2000-2005)


The Dana 60 axle was known for its robust design and ability to handle heavy payloads, making it a popular choice for Ford's larger, more rugged vehicles. It remained a staple in many Ford truck and SUV models until the late 1990s and early 2000s.


Reasons for Using the Dana 60 Axle


Ford chose to use the Dana 60 axle in its vehicles for several key reasons:



  • Strength and Durability: The Dana 60 is an extremely robust and durable axle design, capable of handling heavy loads and off-road use.

  • Towing and Hauling Capacity: The Dana 60's strength allows Ford vehicles equipped with it to tow and haul heavier trailers and payloads.

  • Reliability: The Dana 60 has a reputation for being a reliable and long-lasting axle, making it a trusted choice for Ford's trucks and SUVsli>

These factors made the Dana 60 a popular and practical choice for Ford's larger, more rugged vehicle models over the years.

What years did Dodge use Dana 60?


1994-2002 Dodge Dana 60 Identification. For the 1994-2002 model years, Dodge only used Dana 60 full-floating rear axles in most Ram 2500 trucks with gasoline V6 or V8 engines. The exception is 1994-1998 Light-duty Ram 2500 trucks which used Chrysler 9-1/4" semi-float rear axles.



How do I identify my Ford Dana 60?


The way the four drum backing plate bolts are arranged will tell you whether your Dana 60 axle came from a Dodge or a Ford.

  1. Are the 4 bolts arranged in a perfect square pattern? It's a Dodge Dana 60.
  2. Are the 4 bolts in a slightly rectangular pattern? It's a Ford Dana 60.



Is a Dana 60 stronger than a Ford 9 inch?


The Ford 9-inch pinion is mounted lower in the carrier and has the greatest hypoid offset, which causes it to consume more power to drive it than the Dana 60 or GM 12-bolt. The Dana 60 has so much mass it too consumes a lot of power to drive (although many say it feels slightly less than a 9-inch Ford).



Is a Ford Dana 60 the same as a Chevy Dana 60?


There are three major variations of the Dana 60 axle used in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s: Dana 60 axles on the GMC, Chevy, and Jeep are all basically the same. Dodge and Ford Dana 60 axles are different.



What Fords came with the Dana 60?


Ford used Dana Super 60 Front Driving Axles in 2005-2016 F250, F350, F450, and F550 Super Duty 4x4 trucks.



How do I know if I have a Dana 60?


Many Dana axles have the model ID cast into the fins or centersection. Look for a "44" or "60" cast into the reinforcement ribs. The number can usually be found on the lower right side rib below the differential cover, but it may also be found on other ribs or on top of the main cast structure.



When did Ford stop using the Dana 50?


2003
Bolted under the front of the Super Duty well into the middle of 2002, and equipped on most 4x4 Ford Excursions, the Dana 50 front axle was a carry-over axle that Ford finally phased out officially by the end of 2003.



Are Ford and Dodge Dana 60 the same?


Dodge Dana 60s have an axle disconnect, which is considered a weaker and more complex axleshaft design. The split in the housing to accommodate the axle disconnect assembly is also considered weaker than the traditional one-piece axletube found on modern Ford Dana 60 axles.



When did Ford start using Dana axles?


The solid axle Dana 50 was used in the Ford F-250 and the F-350 from 1999 to 2003.



What is the strongest rear end?


What Makes the 9-inch Ford Rearend So Great? From the archives: Legendary tech guru Marlan Davis explains why the 9-inch Ford is the strongest rearend out there—it's all due to “hypoid distance.”


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.