Topic: Rear Dana Full Float 61

[THK Matt]

I have a 79 F250 4x2 Dana 61 Rear FF Axle.
I would like to run 4.88s to match my Dana 44 HP Front.
The D61 has 3.07 gears stock.
What do I have to do to get that to work?

ive done a little searching.... some say its a boat anchor... some say it can be made to work.
it has its upside to some coming from the factory with 35spl axle shafts..... but you can run aftermarket ones without boring the spindles.

Any help is appreciated.

[THK Matt [OP]]

Think i answered my own question...

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/ft-54-dana-60-61tech.html
I can run D60 4.88s with my 3.07 carrier.. just need a custom made 5/8in spacer made.

[IronClad]

Honestly.. just get rid of it and get a 70 or a different 60.. all the BS you have to deal with on that axle just isnt worth it  go 70.. re gear it.. already have 35spl shafts. Also the 5/8th spacer from what ive read over the years isnt an end all spec, it seems to vary.   Also where are you getting that they come factory with 35 spl ?  they have the bigger spindles but thats it

[91 ex-cab]

straight from the dana 60 bible
"With mileage and emissions concerns rising, at some point Dodge and / or Ford decided they wanted to be able to offer gears higher than the current highest ratio of 3.54 available in the D60.  However, because of the design of the D60 the pinion head could not be made big enough to achieve a higher ratio.  Hence, the birth of the Dana 61, which has a different casting that moves the pinion over 0.25"-0.437" (conflicting reports) - this allowed for a 3.07 axle ratio.  The Dana 61 also uses 3.5" axle tubes.  Other than that, it is very similar to the Dana 60.  The Dana 61 was  common in Dodge front ends and Ford van rears.

The difficulty with the Dana 61 is very limited gear and locker choices. However, you can use a combination of ring gear spacer and thick gear set to allow the use of differentials and gear sets intended for the Dana 60. 

Slagburn reports: to run a 4.88 I had to go with series 3 carrier, series 1 being 4.10 and down, series 2 being 4.56 and up, then the series 3. PLUS a .160" spacer. That's the problem, nobody makes a full case locker for a 61, but it could be doable with a thick ring gearset AND a spacer.


 Reider racing< Randy's R&P, and other sources make ring gear spacers for the Dana 61 .

"

[twistedtoy92]

sounds like a PITA....

[yota4x4sc]

sounds like a boating tool

[twistedtoy92]

 

[lilbuddy]

Junk it. Thats a 20 dollar axle.

Get a 14b or an actual 60. if you have no plans to go over a 5.38 then get a 14b. I have one in my runner and I shaved the bottom lip off of it and I have .5" more clearance over my buddys d60 on the same exact tires.

[THK Matt [OP]]

Bummer. Ill craigslist it and look for a 14B, 60 or 70.

Thanks guys