16 spline dana 60 good?

jellybean · Post by **jellybean** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:17 am

I plan on replacing the front closed knuckle dana 44 with a newer 44 or 60. My question is in regards to the rear dana 60 that is original. I believe it is a 16 spline. I have read about upgrading to a 30 spline, but do I really need to? I plan towing once in a while (3 - 4 times a year) a small camper registered at 5000 lbs. Maybe in the very distant future hauling a truck camper in the bed. Will this rear end hold up for me? If not, what should I look for in a newer one?

Also what year should I look for a new front axle. Do I need a 60 or will a 44 do the trick?

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:56 pm

Shock loads break axleshafts. a 16 spline 60 has the same size bearings and spiders as any other 60. Towing with a mild engine won't break one. Clutch dumps and abuse will.

My 71 still has the original 16 spline rear and I tow 10K+ pounds regularly with 150 HP and 400 lb/ft.

jellybean · Post by **jellybean** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:17 pm

So if I drive conservatively, it should hold up fine, right? I am also considering a 4bt swap later on, but for now it is the original 360, no clutch dumps for me. Are the brake equipment the same so if I swap later will the brake swap over too?

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:35 pm

Brakes interchange. All the later 30 spline ford 60's are wider. You can switch a 30 spline axle in or you can simply swap in 30 spline spider gears and have custom 30 spline axleshafts made to fit your 16 spline axle.

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:52 am

For what it's worth I put rear brakes on my '71 and changed diff oil today. 15K miles ago the rear bearings were nice and tight, today the pinion's still nice, but the carrier bearings are sloppy. 400 lb/ft and decent towing might be too much for a Dana 60.