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The dana 70 thread

536K views 739 replies 248 participants last post by  cj8scrambld 
#1 · (Edited)
Welcome to the 70 bible. I don't claim to be the be-all, end-all, expert on these, although I have learned quite a bit about them while assembling this. If you have good info to share, post it up. If you want to know what version of the 70 you have, read this and look for yourself.

I want to add more info about the Super 70 (the 70-1SU?) to this, if you have any or know where to find any good info, please share with the class.

Identification...

The 70 uses (basically) the same cover as a 60 (everyone knows how to spot a 60 right?). The bolt pattern is the same and for all practical purposes the covers are interchangeable. As far as I know the easiest way to tell a 70 from a 60 is the lip on the bottom of the pumpkin. Most stock 70 covers will cover all the way to the bottom of the 70 housing, but the mounting lip is about 1/2" wider than a 60. With a 60 cover on a 70, the thicker lip is very obvious, but with the stocker you may have to look closer.

There are a lot of different versions of the 70, for the most part the parts are pretty interchangeable between them. They came in trucks, vans, and industrial equipment in a wide variety of widths, with bolt patterns ranging from heavy duty 6 lug, the standard 8x6.5”, and up to 10 lug, and have several different spline counts available. Almost all of them are 8 lug, with 35 spline or 32 spline shafts.

The tubes are fatter than a 60, and thicker than a 14 bolt. My 70-B uses 3-9/16" tubes (a 60 front or rear is typically 3-1/8"). The 70-HD has 4" tubes. Tube thickness seems to be ½” on pretty much all of them. The tapered down sections are rolled smaller, so the wall gets thicker in these sections.

Here is a pic of a 70-B, showing both the lip on the bottom (that is a high pinion 60 cover on it), the lip on the top, and the taper down on the tubes (note that I cut the stock brake flanges off). The wider lips are not normally so obvious, because factory 70 covers have wider flanges, so look closely when your axle hunting.

The lip on the bottom can be shaved down for the same ground clearance as a 60. I reccomend using a saw to remove most of the material, then finishing it out with a grinder.



Here's a better view of the taper down...



Variations...

There are several versions of the 70:

*70 (.500" pinion offset, used from late 1950's to '71 according to dana) these would likely have the lower spline counts, least desirable
*70-B (.625" offset, '71-82) Probably the most common version. Generally 35 spline, but checking is the only sure way.
*70-U (.625" offset, '82+) There seems to be less of these than the 70-B. Known as the "Teardrop 70" because of it's smooth underside. Shares all bearings with the 60
*70-2U (unknown offset) same pinion and carrier bearings as U, but big wheel bearings.
*70-HD (.625" offset, '68+) These come in big trucks, lots of them out there but many in weird widths.
*70-3HD (.969" offset, '87+) Out of newer trucks, not a lot of low gears available for these ones.
*70-High Pinion (unkown offset, 2000ish+ Kodiak/Top Kick K4500/K5500 fronts) 10 lug high pinion 70, with 1550 joints (a 60 uses 1480) 5.13 gears are the only ones available for these axles.
*70-1SU (.625” offset) Super 70. Little info available, Dana lists only available ratios as 4.10 and 4.56. Teardrop housing and HD tubes and outers.

Often the variation will be cast into the housing, but not always, and in the case of the 3HD, it may be labeled as 2HD according to rocklobster87. The only way to know for sure is to check the BOM number. It is a 6 digit number, typically starting with a 6, stamped into the axle tube just to the right of the diff, when looking at the cover. Go to www2.dana.com and look it up to see what you’ve got.

The 70-U uses a smaller pinion bearing than any of the others (the same as a 60) All the others use the same inner pinion bearing. Carrier bearings and outer pinion bearing are the same as a 60. Wheel bearings vary, and can range from the same part numbers as 60’s and 14 bolts, to bigger.

The carrier bearings on the 70, 70-B and 70-U are all the same size (same bearings as a 60 carrier). The HD carrier is .125” narrower than the others, and can be use in the other 70’s with the addition of a 1/8” spacer. This leads me to assume that a normal 70 carrier won’t fit in a HD.

Because of the different pinion offsets available, it’s important to know exactly what you have when looking for gears and carriers.

If there are other ways to distinguish the variations with visual checks, post up what you know and pics if you can so we can make this as complete as possible.

Differences and similarities with the 60...

The std 70 uses some of the same bearings as the 60, the outer pinion bearing is the same one (splines and seals are also the same as a 60, so yokes are totally interchangeable), but the inner pinion bearing is significantly bigger. The carrier bearings are the same as a 60 also.

The inner wheel bearings are bigger than a 60, but the outers are the same. Here is a pic of a 4.10 pinion out of a 60 and one out of a 70. The bearing in front of each pinion is the inner wheel bearing. Which is the 60 and which is the 70 is pretty obvious.



Here's another view...



Shafts...

There are also different axle shaft spline counts available. The 35 spline is the most desirable (and I believe the most common too). Off the top of my head, here's the list, 16(?), 23, 30, 32 and 35 spline. Can anyone confirm these, I'm like 80% sure about those #'s.

Donor vehicles...

There are just about a million different applications that came with Dana 70 axles. There are too many to make a useful list. There are links to Dana's backdoor website below that list most of the applications. There is a ton of info in them, so make sure you're in a comfortable chair if you choose to navigate through them.

Misc info...

The ring gear diameter is 10.5"
The 35 spline versions are the same spline as the 35 spline 60’s and 9 inches we are all used to
The pinion nut requires a 1-5/16” thin wall socket, and should not be torqued beyond 300 lb/ft
The axle shaft flanges are typically larger than 14b and 60’s, and often use tapered cone washers on studs :smokin:
The oil capacity is about 3 quarts, Dana recommends 80w90 gear oil
The housing is ductile iron (a high quality type of cast iron)
The input torque rating is 7000 lb/ft max, 1750 lb/ft continuous for most (all?) versions from what I have gathered, the main differences are in the GVW rating.
Swapping SRW hubs on a DRW housing will make the axle effectively wider, not narrower.
Disk brake swaps are pretty much just as straightforward as they are on a 60. ¾ ton GM D44/10bolt front rotors, and the common 7-1/16” GM calipers.

Helpful Links

Dana BOM lookup page
Dana 70 Maintenance Guide
Dana 60/70 Powr-Lok LSD Service Manual
Dana Ring and Pinion Pattern guide
Dana shim kits
Ford application guide 1995-2005 (70 info p.34 to p.39)
Dodge application guide 1999-2001 (70 info p.40 to p.44)
Dana axle application/BOM guide 1979-1998 (all models, not just 70)
Dana axle application/BOM guide 1967-1978 (all models, not just 70)
Dana Light Axle General Information Guide, about a million applications and their BOMs (for all models, not just 70), from 1979-2005)


I'm planning on updating this post with anything you guys have to add, since it's missing more info than it has. It should make a pretty handy reference for all us 70 fans.

-Redd
 

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#301 ·
I've read the thread...page to page. Searched, looked around...etc. TIme to ask for some help. Anyone been around a '94 dodge 3/4 ton gasser? I bought the rear axle out of one. There was no tag on the cover, and i havent tore it apart yet. Im pretty sure it is a 70u. It does have a ABS tone wheel and a sensor mounted in the top of the housing. Hopefully its the 35 splined version?

himarker
 
#304 ·
Wow just read all 13 pages, now I have a headache... I Found a what I am told is a D70 out of a 1977 F-350, I have not seen it yet, but from the research I can find without any bom numbers, it should be a D70b? and should be 35spline,,,, does this sound correct??? The guy wants $150 that seems like a fair price,, I am going to try to pick it up tonight,,, I am just really hoping its a 35spline???
 
#311 ·
I've read this thread, and many others. I'm looling for a SRW 70 with a WMS to WMS dimension of about 68" or less. So far, it seems like the options are 83-85 Ford F250 or F350, 89-00 Dodge diesel (but these have 32 spline axles), and various vans (which seem to be too wide for my purposes). There are lots of other options if you're willing to go to discs, but I'd rather have SRW drums. Am I missing any commonly found vehicles that came with SRW 70?
 
#315 ·
ok so since my one ton swap on my toyota ive owned a few(3,for me and friends) dana 70's..actually 2 of the super 70 : 70-1su ... both of mine came out of identical year and model trucks.. 1985 ford f-350 super duty truck.. both where 65" wms and had 3.54 gears with powerlocks..shaft size internal was 1.5" 35 spline and shafts where 36.5" long..housing was stanrard 3 5/8" thick not 4" on both..both had smooth bottoms like 70u..both had monster dana 70 hd wheel bearings and i say this as we compared one that was here..te only thing that differed between the two was one took a 1410 joint and other was smaller not sure what size ...the other was a dana 70 hd what a tank..4" tubes big lip on bottom big bearings... hope this helps
 
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#321 · (Edited)
Well i have read through bout half of the tread and have learned a bunch. I'm gonna read the rest also but i have some ?? bout a axle i have. When i bought it i was told it was a rear dana ford 70 wit 4.10 gearing. This is all true far as i can tell! It has 35 spline shafts. Wat my ?? is , is it a dana 70 and wat style/modle is it. I can't find a 70 stamp on it anywhere, i may need to look harder also. But some of the numbers i found are the number 25 above the pinion shaft i beleave on the top and bottom. Big stamp numbers 7280 on the bottom of pumpkin by drain/fill plug. On the top right of the pumpkin is F81w-AA and a circled A w/ a 1 beside it on the cover side on the pumpkin. The Tag on one of the cover bolts says 4.10 10 2 7k20 and next line on the tag says S 129 p. Any help would be way cool.. It also has like a tear emblem on the pumpkin of somekind!! Thanx a bunch..

For the love of God..... Spellcheck your shit before you hit submit. It's a stupid fucking question, and you asked it in the true form of a 4th grader.

Oh, and if you took the 15 seconds to type Dana 70, in google images, and then hit return, you wouldn't have to come on here and expose your stupidity.
 
#319 ·
Could i have a ford 10.25 axle or a ford 70 dana rear?? Iv'e noticed that most of the D70's have a drain or fill plug on the cover. My cover does not have a plug on it at all!! Im kinda confused.. Could be a different cover also. It also has like a electric plug of some sort on the pumpkin wit some wires comen off it.. maybe for speedo or ABS brakes or somthing. If its a ford 10.25, how does that compare to a dana 70!!
 
#323 ·
i see a join date nov. 2010.... :shaking:newbies:shaking::flipoff2: ..... well if i told you it was a dana 80 would you believe me... know what your buying before buying it..... sounds like sterling 10.25 but since this isnt a help forum this is a info forum you should start a thread on your own...also when asking info on axle we need info pictures and yes there is more then one set of numbers on your axle so the 2xxxx number is no good...look harder... also read the info on how to check before you post....your lucky today is tuesday or else i would really burn your ass... and if you dont know what i mean start with the newbie section its perfect for ahh people like you newbie...dont respond to this and dont try to rip people for answering your dumb ass question with a dumb ass answer.... THIS IS FOR INFO ONLY .... :flipoff2:
 
#325 · (Edited)
FYI : stage 8 x-lock dana 60 spindle nuts will fit on the rear dana 70 spindles.. had to shave file down about 1/16 if that only on the "special notched washer" that slides in the groove..groove must be wider on dana 60?.. much better set up then ever came with stock..and there are a few different stock spindle nut designs for those of you who dont know.. these are the only way to go front and rear 60/70 combo...they're not cheap but worth every penny...paid $60 each corner from summit..$240 all 4...just my 2 cents..
 
#326 ·
HP70 Front

The Kodiaks and Topkicks are the only applications. I had a 10" ring gear Super 60 same deal, but I sold that to buy these.

What exactly would the price be for one of them RC70 centers with gears?

Shipping would kill the deal.

spill it!

BTT for pics :smokin: Anyone running one of these?
 
#327 ·
Guys a quick question ... I found what is stated to be a front Dana 70 axle, it is 8 lug but with drum brakes and it has the steering on the back side of the axle I'm not familiar of any pick up that came with this

Anyone know where this axle might have come from ? I'm guessing medium duty since the steering is on the backside but what truck ??
 
#331 · (Edited)
Just got a D70-hd, it dosen't have a BOM stamp must have rusted off because I can't find it, but it does have c37453 with 2 under it and 0101 79. I'm trying to figure out what the ratio is and what, if any, locker it has. I think it's from a one ton chevy, it was a dually pulled from the frame there was no cab so i'm not really sure. Thank you
 
#332 ·
just got 70-hd it dosent have a bom stamp most of rusted off cuse i cant find it but it dose have c37453 with 2 under it and 0101 79 trying to figur out what the ratio and what if any looker it has i think its from a one ton chevey and it is dully it was pulled of a fram no cab so not really sher thank you
Seriously. You can't give the BOM, but you want someone to tell you what the gear ratio is or if it has a locker? Just how the fuck are we supposed to do that?

I have an idea. Take the cover off, and look.
 
#337 ·
I found the gear ratio, it's (4.10). I had to do some CSI shit on the tag after I did the thing where you spin the tire and count how many times the drive shaft spins. I took the cover off, i'm sure it's an open carrer. This is also the first time I have ever seen the inside of a DIF in person, and judging from my internet search it should be a 35 spline, but i'm not sure. Its been -35 out side without the wind chill and it's suppose to snow again, so progress is slow. I'm going to drag it into my basement to tear it down. I'm in way over my head with this but I have been with everything i have done on my jeep so far. I'll post pictures once i get it inside and start tearing it down.
 
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