Dana 60 axle splines

[Salt-shaker]

Hi..My Dana 60 floater under my 1968 F250 seems to have the 17 spline axles and my question is when did Ford change these to a upgraded 30 or 35 spline. I want to beef up the towing capacity of the rear without moving into a late model Dana 70. I plan to change the open carrier to a positraction unit and want to find some factory axles the correct length for my application before purchasing the posi. Anybody upgraded before?

[two-bit]

Dana 60 and Dana 70 axles changed spline count starting with the 1973 model year trucks, (officially).
I run a Dana 70 and have had some good luck finding Power-lock sections with the correct spline counts to match my axles.
I do know that lots of people upgrade there D-60's to the newer style for strength and ease of finding parts.
If you could find a Dana 60 out of a dentside('73-'79) truck you will probably have to change the spring perches unless its a 4X4 rear diff up to '77 1/2.
Somewhere along the line (1973) Ford changed the frame spacing on the rear end of the 2wd trucks.
So if i am correct, a Dana 60 from a Dentside 2wd is not a direct bolt in. Due to the location of the spring perches.
I do know that some people have upgraded there older Dana 60's, but from what i understand its expensive and somewhat aggravating.
BTW: i know quite a few people who have the stock Trac-lock unit in there Dana 60's and the best improvement they ever made was welding it solid! Trac-lock in my opinion is a joke, don't bother with it, get a Power-lock carrier or a Detroit soft locker.
I'm not sure if i have helped at all. Good luck.

Two-bit

[Salt-shaker]

Thank you Two Bit..Your reply is good solid info for me to use in solving a very puny axle axle observation. I believe those 17 spline axles look weaker than any 9 inch 28spline axle and are by far longer ( more twist ) issues with them. What is your Dana 70 out of? and am I correct in assuming its a 35 spline..Salt-shaker

[two-bit]

No, my Dana 70 is the stock one in a '72 F-350. I believe its an 18 spline, not sure. My axle shafts are over 1inch in dia. so i'm not worried about twisting them off.
If i was going to change my rear diff to anything it would be a Sterling 10.25. Very HD.
If i remember right a member here out in NY has a 10.25 out of a 80's F-350 that he compared up to the Dana 70 in his F-350 and found it to be a pretty close match.
His handle is FLATBEDFORD, he might be able to tell you more about leaf perch spacing and what not.
Averagef250 is a real guru when it comes to this stuff. He will have some good advice for you for sure.

Two-bit

[averagef250]

Two-bit, 67-72 Dana 70's are 23 spline.

[Salt-shaker]

WOW..Thanks To All, Two-bit and averagef250..I got some real thinking to do now. I became very concerned when I pulled the axle and saw yellow dismantling yard marker on the right axle and the puny 17 splines but perhaps there is no real problem. I suppose if I could find a Dana 70 form a 67-72 F350 it would bolt in and be a upgrade to 23 splines or perhaps I should try to find a Sterling from a later model with the proper overall width. I find it very interesting the carrier bearings spin and maybe two small tack welds with a tig welder might help. We used to do this with 9 in axle shaft bearings on road race mustangs. Lots to think about here now...THANKS TO ALL AGAIN..Salt-shaker

[averagef250]

The 23 spline 70 is considered a light duty 70 and not an upgrade from a 60 it has the same carrier bearings and a tiny pinion shaft. Not to mention it is a dually only axle. The LD 70 has a beefier housing.

When a 60 spins a carrier bearing I peen the carrier and use loctite high strength cylindrical part bonder. It holds up for awhile.

I know I wrote a lot and put the Dana 60 down a bit, but I don't mean to say the 60 is a bad axle. I think it's a great one, I just don't believe it's a wise investment to put aftermarket parts in one for a towing application. If you need more traction by all means drop in a 16 spline powerlock or a detroit. 16 spline powerlocks are still very common.

[Salt-shaker]

It sounds like wise advice from someone who has been there and done that..averagef250 your advice is well taken and that only really leaves the Sterling for a upgrade if i need a higher duty rear diff..just for intrest my F250 came from Oregon..You have Helped so much..THANKS>>