Hello all! New to the forums. Need help identifying a Dana 60.

Bought this about 20 years ago from Ultimate Rides in El Paso, TX (I think that's where I got it). I had planned to put it in a 1970 Hemi Cuda clone. Haven't touched it in all this time until yesterday, and now I'm trying to decide whether to sell it, use it, whatever. Questions arose pretty quick about what this thing actually is. The BOM numbers on the back of the RH axle do not match any database I can find. But there are clues that point to this being an E-Body Dana. Here's what I know:

1. Wheel bolt pattern is Mopar.
2. Bumper on snubber plate (if it's the original) has Mopar on it.
3. Perch to perch measurement is 46".
4. Tag on exterior differential housing reads "307-69."
5. Ring gear is dated 7-22-69 with 4:10 ratio.
6. The number "60" is on the exterior in two places.
7. Numbers on rear of axle read "2 26 0A1" and "27013 2X".

Pictures attached. Can anyone tell me exactly what this thing is? Many thanks.

46" pad width makes it an E-body. '69 date codes make it a '70 model year.

As mentioned, doesn't seem to be factory part, maybe over the counter DC part?

How about the inside? I was told this is not a sure grip.

I don't see any clutch packs or springs ?,maybe from a truck or van where any the same dimensions.

Trucks should have had the spring pads on top of the axle because most had the axle under the springs.

Mopar means never say never.

Maybe it was a warranty replacement axle for one that was defective.

that was true with all of the big 3 back in the day. Might have had something to do with the union contract clause that stated if the line was shut down due to a parts shortage the workers went home with full pay for the remainder of the day
Possibly, but one would think the owner would have noted the one wheel squealer


Dimensionally it appears to be an e body Dana. The open differential and BOM #'s are puzzling. possibly an over the counter replacement as mentioned. I am not 100% sure on the truck pads being on the top in all applications.
Hopefully someone else will chime in, Where's Dr. Diff ??

Also found this site:

CLICK HERE FOR LOTS OF DANA INFO

This is my take. It is a over the counter bare housing. Therefore no BOM that makes sense. Being a replacement housing it has a number that no doubt correlates to Dana some way. Being bare there was no assembly of additional parts so no BOM.

I'm not an expert on the BOM numbers.

I can tell you the housing was made in 1970 for an E-body application. It has a 1971 spec Mopar passenger car 35 spline Track-Lock Sure-grip with a thrust button and an older set of gears someone installed.

I don't see a second set of numbers normally stamped on the housing, which corresponds to when the rear was assembled.

Doctor Diff,

Appreciate the info. I'm a novice, especially when it comes to rear ends, so bear with me, please. How were you able to tell the "1971 spec Mopar passenger car 35 spline Track-Lock Sure-grip with a thrust button and an older set of gears someone installed" from one picture? As I said, someone else looked at the same pic and said it was not a sure grip. If the housing is from 1970, what did you see that made you say it was a 1971 set up (but with the older ring gear)? Is there anything wrong with what you see, in other words, could I have someone go through it and put new seals, brakes, etc., and install it with no problem?

Thanks!

Mopar did sell some over the counter Dana. I have a friend that bought one. It’s a 44” wide version.

as I recall direct connection sold 2 dana 60's 44" 42" suregrip/posi, spring pads were shipped loose or not at all?

From the 1983 Direct Connection catalogue for 9 3/4 Dana:

P4120694 5:12 - 52" housing, power lock
P4120693 5:38 - 44" housing, power lock

From 66-70 the unit was powr-lok which is a 2 piece case held together with 8 bolts had 4 pinion gears. The 71 unit was changed to track-loc with solid case and the open window with just 2 pinion gears on a shaft. Axle spline started as 23T and moved to 35 after 1969. Sometime during 70 production. Yours is an open window 2 pinion case.

The difference. Powr-Lok on right.

To avoid any confusion, the Power Lok is showing on the bottom of your post on my screen

Thanks much to all of you who commented. I feel much better now. The funky numbers on the axle had me wondering if I had been taken 20 years ago when I bought this thing. I obviously didn't know enough about Danas back then to ask the right questions, and those numbers, especially the lack of the usual BOM numbers, gave me concern in the here and now. But now that I've cracked it open, and you guys have confirmed it's the real deal, well, all is good now.

Thanks again.

If you're building a decent HP hemi the trac-lock is a lot weaker than a power-lock. If I remember Dr. Diff said it would last @ 400 HP, power lock 600HP, and the S trac I bought from him should handle 1,000 HP.

The Track-lock can handle only 400HP?? If that's the case, why would the factory put it behind a 71 Hemi at 425HP?