Dana 60 spline count?

Posted By: mopar346

Dana 60 spline count? - 06/09/11 01:18 AM

I have an 82+/- Ford truck Dana that is going to be cut down and built for a 68 A12 spec Road Runner. I believe it has 35 spline axles and I have been told I should change the side gears to 30 spline. Not a big deal since I will buy axles and go through the unit, but my question is why?

Posted By: fourgearsavoy

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/09/11 02:19 AM

Quote:

I have an 82+/- Ford truck Dana that is going to be cut down and built for a 68 A12 spec Road Runner. I believe it has 35 spline axles and I have been told I should change the side gears to 30 spline. Not a big deal since I will buy axles and go through the unit, but my question is why?

If it has a good power-lock or track-lock I would use whatever spline the side gears are.If they are 35 spline don't change it to thirty spline unless you need it for the sure-grip you are planning to use.
Doctordiff can set you up with a good set of axles and a good sure-grip

Gus

Attached picture 6673478-burnoutpicturegus.JPG

Posted By: mopar346

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/09/11 02:37 AM

Thanks, it has a locker of some sort not sure which, it is a clutch style if I remember correctly. I already have the parts list from Dr. Diff for axles and housing ends. I wasn't sure if strength was an issue, but frankly it will probably never be heavily tested. Maybe 6-700 hp at most, but not enough chassis to put it down or hook seriously.

Posted By: fourgearsavoy

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/09/11 04:17 AM

I have 35 spline Moser axles and spool in my Savoy with around 600 HP but I race it with slicks and a manual transmission

I would think 30 spline axles would hold up in a car with limited traction though.
Gus

Attached picture 6673723-burnoutpicturegus.JPG

Posted By: 446acuda

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/09/11 07:36 PM

Quote:

I have an 82+/- Ford truck Dana that is going to be cut down and built for a 68 A12 spec Road Runner. I believe it has 35 spline axles and I have been told I should change the side gears to 30 spline. Not a big deal since I will buy axles and go through the unit, but my question is why?

Since you are building from scratch you should use 35 spline stuff since it cost little or no more for axles and 35 spline side gears are relatively cheap for a trac lok or power lok if your's doesn't have them. It's good insurance in case you decide to put some drag slicks on it.

Posted By: mopar346

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/09/11 11:39 PM

Oh I'm reasonably sure it will have slicks on it at some time. So are ya'll saying the 35s are actually stronger than 30s? My comment about traction is from the fact that I do not plan to build the chassis to hook, ie roll bar or tied subframes. Without the proper chassis it wont transfer well enough to hook hard enough to hold the hp on tires, even slicks, that will fit in stock wheel wells.

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/09/11 11:48 PM

i thought you kept the 30 spline side gears for useing 8 3/4 axle in the D-60

other wize swap to 35 spline

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/10/11 01:26 AM

small hi jack

I called Randys Ring and Pinion today..

I asked the parts guy about this 30/35 spline D 60 subject...

He told me that DANA/SPICER never made a D60 35 spline rearend for any aplication.

They did make D 60 35 spline 4x4 "FRONT" axles

So for you guys hunting the junkyards for a 35 spline D 60 "REAR" axle, it doesnt exhist..
D 70s do have 35 spline axles...

Posted By: mopar346

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/10/11 02:06 AM

Well I am absolutely sure they know more than me, but I am almost certain that they one I have is 35 spline and I know it's a 60. I pulled one of the axles and counted the splines, maybe I have it backwards but I would bet money I counted 35.

Posted By: MoparJunkie

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/10/11 02:23 AM

I know for a fact 70 DANA 60's did have 35 spline axles... Had one in my 70 Roadrunner!

Posted By: BDW

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/10/11 03:29 AM

Dana in our Mopars used 35 & 23 splined axles.

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/axle/img/Rear_Axles_14.jpg

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/10/11 05:21 AM

I wish Dr Diff would clear the fog ....

Posted By: astjp2

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/10/11 05:53 AM

I have a dana 70 4.56 and up trac lock if you want to do the Jana 76 conversion. It uses the 10.5" ring gear in the 60 housing. Worth the extra 150.00 for the special bearings to install it. Never have to worry about breaking a ring gear. You might also look at using the Jeep ends, if you want a factory rear disc brake for less than $100.00. The Ford Explorer uses the same rear brakes as a Jeep Grand Cherokee but with the ford metric bolt pattern. The jeep uses a Timken set 10 which has a 1.562" ID and the 35 spline gears are 1.5" O.D. Just some food for thought. Tim

Posted By: DoctorDiff

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/10/11 07:53 AM

'70 and newer Mopar passenger car Dana 60 rearends came with 35 spline axles.

Jeep pickup Dana 60 rears, as well as some Ford C-clip Dana 60 rears also came with 35 spline internals.

Posted By: mopar346

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/10/11 02:10 PM

So general consensus is stay with whatever is in it for my application since it wont really be tested. But if for some reason (wear) I have to change them go with the 30s. Right?

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Dana 60 spline count? - 06/10/11 02:34 PM

its an 82+ FERD D-60 not a mopar D-60

that is the confusion