Hey everyone,

No luck searching.

I bought a '79 Ford F250 44/60 axle pair to swap in the TJ. In the process of preparing, reading, and researching the build; many of you convinced me not to waste my $$ on the 44.

Therefore, I just picked up a '78 Ford F250 HP Kingpin 60 which the previous owner used to replace his F250's factory 44. I forgot to ask him what year his Ford was. I didn't really care. I was only interested in the front axle. I figured the "free rear 60" was just a bonus.

I did see his Ford sitting on dual steering Rockwells. It was an older looking Ford. I will find out for you as soon as he calls back.

Having the '79 and this "unknown year" 60 side by side; I immediately noticed significant differences between the way the pumpkins were cast.

My question is as follows: Aside from the later 60's having the 35 spline shafts, are there any significant differences between these two axles.

I have the obvious option of keeping the best of the two and selling the other one for build cash. Many countless hours reading about axles has taught me that newer is rarely better when it come to heavyweight axles.

Thanks guys

P.S. I can get some pictures if I need to. I'm assuming it won't be neccessary on this website. Also, I can post the year of the "unknown" 60 as soon as I find out.

if the 60s you got of that guy came from a f350 1 ton then that rear 60 is most likely a hd 60, you can tell that from the dual rib on the center section and should also say 60hd on the center section, these have the bigger spindles that allow the use of 35 spline shafts.
that is a good come up if you got that for free cuz those are pretty rare finds especially for free!

The factory 35 spline rears being Semi-float with c-clips is the obvious way to tell them apart

Pics would help. It does sound like you have one regular FF 60 and one FF 60HD. I have the HD from a 76 F250, it came with the 44HD front that has the big hubs. I think the biggest benefit of the HD is the larger spindles to put 35 spline shafts in.

Sorry,

Typo on the F350. I meant F250. I edited the original post to read correctly.

The F250 donor vehicle was a '78. The original owner replaced his 44 with a HP 60 out of another '78. So both 60's end up being the same year; but from different trucks.....wierd.
I'm doubting the "HD 60 rear" since the donor vehicle came with a 44/60 combo. But, I guess I wouldn't really know which combos were available on which vehicle model (F250-350 etc).
Seems wierd the axles are only one year apart and look completely different (center sections differ, all else looks the same).
I'm going out to the garage to get some pics right now.
Both axles are FF so I guess I'm hoping for an HD or I won't have the large spindles.
Thanks everyone

The factory 35 spline rears being Semi-float with c-clips is the obvious way to tell them apart

In my original post I said "aside from the fact the later models came with 35 spline axle shafts". I realize that I don't likely have a 35 spline axle.

My question is why are the housings so different. Does one oil the gears better. Is one built stronger, weaker.

Obviously Dana felt it neccessary to make the changes to the design. There must be a reason for it.

What I need to know is: Is there a big difference between the '78 and '79 cuz they sure look that way.

Thanks again

Hoping this works
My first time posting pics
The rusty looking 60 is the '79.
The not so rusty one is the '78.
I'm especially curious about the pinion oil channel on the lower two pictures. The 79 (rusty) has one continuous channel. The 78 has a strange looking "shark fin" between to lobes.
WAY different, what's the deal?

More pics
Rusty axle = '79
Black axle = '78

Rusty is a regular 60 and the black one is a 60HD. Bigger spindles and more webbing for housing strength, I don't know that oiling is any different between the two. Also, mine came from an F250 Highboy 44HD front and 60HD rear.

yup you got a regular 60 and a 60hd, pull out the axles on both and compare the differences of the spindles inside diameter, the 60hd should have a id of 1.65 inches

Well allright!!!

I've never been a very lucky person. Guess my time finally came. I got a HD 60 with my HP60 for $700. I was happy to pay $700 just for the front axle here on the east coast. The rear is a really nice surprise.

Guess I can post the pair of '79 axles on the "for sale board" now. I'll be keepin the '78's!

Any thoughts on "shaving" that shark fin off the bottom of the housing? I'd be worried it would get broken anyway which could cause more damage to the housing than removing it intentionally.

Also, any suggestions (or search suggestions) for further "shaving" the housing without going as far as cutting a chunk out of the bottom. I merely wonder about grinding some here and there to smooth edges..............just curious what others have seen/done.

Thanks for all you're help guys.