axle visual ID

[RoofPrints]

All I know are the Dana 44s on my GWs. I know D60s are in demand, and I believe they were on J20s and others, but I don't know how to identify them. If I am looking at old junkers or parts rigs, what should I look for on the axles? Also, what are D70s, and are they any good? Thanks.

Jim
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stock '87 GW w/factory vinyl top & power moonroof
stock '89 GW w/bad motor and stylin' headliner
'96 Suburban 2500 LT 7.4L w/roof-mounted gun rack

“If it ain’t broke, you’re not trying!”
Red Green

[LRRH]

Dana 60 looks like a BIG Dana44.

Dana 70s were used in the rears on stuff like the old FC jeeps. Hard to find a matching open-knuckle front to go with it, as most were paired with closed knuckle front axles (read bad turning radius...pain to rebuild).

[Gwamp]

D-70's were also used in the rear on many different 1-tons trucks and vans, etc. Most Dana axles will have a stamp on them that tells you what axle it is Axle ID is an art of sorts as there were so many different styles of axles made by many different companies.

[Rande]

Most Dana60 axles used in the J20 trucks have 8 bolts to hold the wheel on. That is the quick way to spot one. The front axle also had 8 bolts but it is a Dana44. Some older trucks that have 5 bolts for the wheels had an unusual Dana60. It had the 5 bolt wheel pattern and was a semi-floating design. They had big axle shafts though and so are very strong.

[RoofPrints]

Most Dana axles will have a stamp on them that tells you what axle it is. Okay, my 44s have stamps on them with a string of numbers. What numbers in the sequence ID them, or where do I find this info? I am trying to learn this art of IDing different parts, but the axles seem much more confusing than engines, trannies, etc. Thanks for the education.

Jim
-----------------------

stock '87 GW w/factory vinyl top & power moonroof
stock '89 GW w/bad motor and stylin' headliner
'96 Suburban 2500 LT 7.4L w/roof-mounted gun rack

“If it ain’t broke, you’re not trying!”
Red Green

[spatula]

I have also been trying to figure this out. the only raised stamp i can find on my front 44 is

C-35284

and the id plate has

5351149
15-11 4-09

all i get out of that is the 4.09 gear ratio
but i have heard people use the 35284 to identify diffs as dana 44's.

my rear has

994447
41-100 4-10

and there is a 60 stamped on the web so i think that means it is a D-60,

good luck

[2nd-Day-Revived]

Someone (CFSJA maybe?) had a page on their site that had all the FAQ about id'ing axles...the location escapes me right now though....

[Rande]

Many Dana axles have the model number cast into the lower right hand reinforcing web on the back side of the axle. Some don't, most do. Look for there first. The other numbers can give you much more info about the axle but if you're at a junkyard, look for the reinforcing web and see if the model number is there.

As I understand things, the Dana70 axle will be found in the back of 1 ton trucks and yes, it is a very good axle. Its big and very heavy, has a big ring gear for strength, has big axles too. Unlikley our trucks would ever break one. The big pumpkin housing is a liabilty off-road because of poorer ground clearance. The weight of the axle reduces ride quality on the road. All that unsprung weight can make for a rougher ride.

Most Dana60 axles have 1.31" diameter axle shafts. Same size as the Dana44 axle shafts. The gears and housing are much stronger than the 44 stuff though. Some heavy-duty 60s came with the big 1.5" axles shafts. Those are the ones you want. The Dana70s all came with the big 1.5 shafts and even stronger gears and housings. Front Dana70 axles have 1.5" inner shafts and 1.5" outer shafts. Dana60s have 1.31" outer shafts even if they 1.5" inners.

They're just the next step up in strength from the Dana Corp. Now if you want really strong, get some Dana80s.

[jeepsr4ever]

if you find a BIG pumpkin dana look at the axle tube ends and if they taper down at the end its a 70

[Gwamp]

Here is a link to Billavista's tech cache over at Pirate. It is a great place to get alot of the basic info you are looking for.

BillaVista's tech dump (http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/index.html)

[2ndtimearround]

Most Dana Axles have a string of numbers on the right hand axle tube, looking at the differential from the cover plate side.

This number is called the Bill of Material, and will you, via the Dana Expert Site, determine an lot about your axle.
http://www2.dana.com/expert/

For example, I have a Dana 44F from an 82 Wagoneer. It has a BOM of 610090-2. Entering this under light axle on the Dana site gives me:

http://www2.dana.com/expert/wc.dll?DSD~departl~610090-2~

This cross sectional diagrams and part numbers is great when servicing the axle.

Hope this helps, once you find you BoM....

Lawrence