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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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#133 ·
The customer already had the SRW hubs, I think he got them off a 14 bolt & had Moser or Dutchman make new axle shafts after it was cut down. I don't remember exactly how much I cut housing. I think it was around 12", and the piece I cut out was heavy as hell, the tubes are 4" O.D. with a 1/2" wall. I had to only down cut one side because it worked out just right for the offset of the Land Cruiser transfer case.
 
#135 ·
Chris, it won't work. If you bolt SRW hubs to it, it gets wider, not narrower. I know that sounds wrong, but it is the fact of the matter. People ,including me, typically install SRW hubs onto a D70HD to get it to match the width of a DRW front 60, in order to run H1 rims without re-centering. What you need is a narrower housing, maybe from a van or something.

Sorry to be the one to break it to you.

Doug
 
#136 ·
Correct me if I am wrong, but the extra-wide D70HD dually will be about the correct wms-wms match for a D60 DRW front axle. If so, this allows you to use un-recentered H1 beadlocks to tuck the tires back in.

BTW: www.DIY4x.com has a rear disc kit that comes with modified rotors to use with the D70HD dually. The kit will allow you to use unrecentered H1's. It is like $140 as of this posting, and you get your own calipers ( 3/4 ton Chevy units like about every other rear disc kit) locally. Beefy axle, cheap beadlocks & disc kits, and near SRW width makes for a good combo in my book.

Are the D70-3HD's stamped with the "70-3hd" or are they just stamped "70HD" like the other HD's?
 
#137 ·
Correct me if I am wrong, but the extra-wide D70HD dually will be about the correct wms-wms match for a D60 DRW front axle. If so, this allows you to use un-recentered H1 beadlocks to tuck the tires back in.

BTW: www.DIY4x.com has a rear disc kit that comes with modified rotors to use with the D70HD dually. The kit will allow you to use unrecentered H1's. It is like $140 as of this posting, and you get your own calipers ( 3/4 ton Chevy units like about every other rear disc kit) locally. Beefy axle, cheap beadlocks & disc kits, and near SRW width makes for a good combo in my book.
You need to use SRW 14bolt hubs on a D70HD to make it match a DRW D60. I ordered the DIY4x D70HD dually disc brake setup minus the rotors, since I swapped the hubs. This is all to run H1's without re-centering.:D
 
#138 ·
Anyone have any extra information about this dana 70: 605242 JEEP 70 REAR 1985 CJ 10A MILITARY. Before I get chewed out I have searched. This axle is about 74" wms-wms. I was told it was out of an aircraft tug. It has 4.88 gears according to the tag and previous owner claims it has a power lock. How can I tell what other dana 70 parts with exchange with this axle? I read another post claiming that the parts were specific to this one axle but that cannot be right. I'm going to assume he just bought a set of gears for a different 70 (I hate assuming).

Any other questions for me let me know and I'll try to find out... I haven't pulled the cover yet but will soon.
 
#139 · (Edited)
when you pull the cover, you can look at the numbers on the ring gear to find out what it is... im willing to bet if its 4.88s, you will find the numbers 39 and 8 on the ring gear.

you should also find a tag on one of the bolts holding the cover on that says 4.88 and 39/8. you will probably open it up and find a two piece carrier, that means it either has a power lock, or the carrier is open. if its an aircraft tug, it might have one.

most housings have a number cast into them, somewhere. the number will read one of the following:
70
70U
70HD
70B
and so on.
if you go to the dana expert site, you can get a bill of materials listing of what was exactly in that axle when it left the factory.
 
#140 · (Edited)
BOM Listing:

Level Part Item Description Drawing
*1 36113-24 905 AXLE SHAFT (FF) No Drawing
*1 36113-25 904 AXLE SHAFT (FF) No Drawing
*1 706050X P 903 CASE ASSY KIT Drawing Available
*1 706054X P 901 CASE ASSY KIT Drawing Available
*1 706057X P 902 DIFF CASE INNER PART Drawing Available
*1 706998-5X 900 R&P KIT Drawing Available
*1 72148-5X 002 GEAR SET W/SMALL PTS No Drawing
*1 36113-24 905 AXLE SHAFT (FF) No Drawing
*1 36113-25 904 AXLE SHAFT (FF) No Drawing
*1 706052X S 903 CASE ASSY KIT Drawing Available
*1 706056X S 901 CASE ASSY KIT Drawing Available
*1 706058X S 902 DIFF CASE INNER PART Drawing Available
*1 706998-5X 900 R&P KIT Drawing Available
*1 72148-5X 002 GEAR SET W/SMALL PTS No Drawing

Will pull the cover tomorrow when it's light.
 
#143 · (Edited)
Okay so I have been cross referencing parts. I have been looking in the Axle general information pdf (http://www2.dana.com/pdf/XGI.pdf) on the dana webpage. My axle is a dana 70-267. Down in the case assembly kit section I was looking at case options. When looking at nospins (page 60 on the pdf). The following info is listed:

- (36) 43911 - - No Spin 1.50 - 35 - 4.56 & Up
- (31) 44042 - - No Spin 1.50 - 35 - 4.56 & Up

My axle is:

706052X (28)(29) 26308X 706056X 706058X Standard 1.50 - 35 35079 4.56 & Up

w/footnotes
(28) This case has a 1/2" offset
(29) 70B
(36) referring to d70-2u
(31) referring to d70hd

All of those options above are listed under d70-267. I'm guessing in these parts lists they chose not to separate 70B from 70HD and 70-2u? I'm looking for a detroit to fit my application. Will HD or 2U cases work in my differential if my differential has the 1/2" offset? In searching for a detroit is a dana70b just considered a d70?

edit] Pictures of said axle: http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z45/jeepmkcomin/d70/
 
#145 ·
you might try searching for a "kodiak" axle, or a "topkick" axle... the info is out there... i just saw it.

I am in the middle of building a dana 70 low pinion front using an old Dodge/IHC closed knuckle housing, and Ford 60 C's. the hp60 was wrecked, broken in half at the housing, and the tubes are straight. the 70 housing just needed to have the ends cut off, and the c's attached.. I will try to post some photos one of these days.
 
#146 · (Edited)
I have 2 different 70s.

My first attempt was a D70 DRW from a 76 F350 straight truck. .500 one piece carrier and 23 spline axle shafts. Pinion yoke was 26 spline.

Learned real quick that you don't weld the carrier if you don't know what you are doing. Warped it and couldn't find another 0.500 carrier.

My second attempt is a D70HD from a 88ish E350 Ambulance. 2 piece 0.625 open carrier and 35 spline axle shafts. This axle has bigger hubs than the D70 I destroyed or the 70B I was looking at. The wheel bearings are huge in comparison. It took a long time to spec out wheel seals at NAPA. 5/8" studs w/ 8 on 6.5" pattern. The studs on the passenger side are left hand thread. The axle shafts bolt to the hub with studs ,conical washers and nuts(fine thread). (Like D44/60 high steer arms)

The gearset (5.86) I'm using in this axle was purchased for the D70 I nuked. No modifications required. Instead of welding this one, I filled the carrier w/ lead. Even easier then welding. Stronger and if you want to go back to factory, head the carrier and the lead falls out.

Beating it for 4 years and still holding up strong. My only complaint on these axles is the sheer weight. Just about killed a friend carrying the bare housing. To me the best application would be for those with insane HP or heavy rigs.

One thing I learned is on the HD housing, you can safely cut the massive reinforcement off the bottom (under diff cover) without much worry. I shaved mine so the bottom of my roughstuff cover is almost the lowest point. Dropped in on quite a few rocks and no leaks/failure. Adds about 1.5" ground clearance.

The other thing is disc brakes. A D44 or Corp 10 bolt front that uses a stamped steel caliper bracket (Usually see these on 80's Chev K20) is perfect on a 70 rear. Cut the Drum backing brackets off the 70. Drill the disk rotor to fit wheel studs. Slide the D44/C10 caliper bracket over the D70 tube, mock-up and weld. Simple build w/ junkyard parts. Caliper and rotor can be had at any parts counter.

Anyone else see D70 axle shafts fastened using studs and conical washers?
 
#147 ·
do you know of any 8 lug front 70 brake caliper kits out there? and also any info on dana 80's and if they are any good? also want to put brake calipers on the 80 to if its worth while. are these axels any good? i read that they bend easy. got them out of a 1 ton dodge 73 i think. only have 42000 on them. also any lockers out there? or spool for the 80.
 
#151 ·
so for the guys with the dually/van rear thats 73-75'' wms/wms, what did you do to make them 'skinnier'?? cut down and respline the shafts and have the axle tubes shortened acordingly? i have the ford dually 70u and its too fawking wide...id like it to be 67'' or so...wonder if i drove the old gal up to deans cryo shop hed do this for me with it installed?
 
#156 ·
Well just started messing with my 70 HD I had in the back yard. It was off of a DRW 74 chevy camper special. HD's don't taper much at all after the backing plate flange. 35 spliners 1.5 diam shafts, open diff, 3.73's with a 4.56 axle tag.:shaking: Oh well I was gonna re gear anyway. Will do disc conversion, using discs and calipers from a 77 chevy k20 front perfect fit on the rotors. will fab my own caliper brackets.
If you want measurements or more pics just ask. :D








 
#157 ·
Bringing this back to the top for more info on teh brakes.
DIY4X4.com - Dana 70 brake kit.

DIY4X4.com has Dana 70 weld on disc brake bracket kits that have a weld on flange mount that the disc brake bracket bolts to. The flange is not threaded so the disc brake bracket is removable.

They also have a rotor that is bored out to fit the larger diameter of the Dana 70.

Cheap compared to other vendors. Good service too.

http://www.diy4x.com/brakes.htm
 
#161 ·
I broke a Dana 70 shaft and was looking to upgrade. I have an ARB and Dodge 37 spline sidegears were an option. No one had done 40 spline stuff at that time. I ended up putting some 35 spline Moser shafts in that twisted at the splines right away. When they break again I will put in some 1.5" 300M double ended shafts with 300M driveflanges to keep it simple.
 
#162 ·
Can someone verify this for me? I have a dana 70 U2. Will the std. dana 70 ring and pinion with .625 offset work in it? The only thing I could find said that the pinion bearing OD is smaller, acually the size of the dana 60 bearing. But it didnt say if the Id. of the bearing was the same as the std. 70 I dont know for sure what my axle came out of but was told it was a late 80's ford chassis marta shuttle bus.
 
#163 ·
I believe yes, as long as the offset is correct...
 
#168 ·
traded some junk metal for a 70b with 35 spline carrier. looking into converting to front axle with spidertrax knuckles.

my question is will the 1.5" 35 spline dana 60 inner axle fit in the 70b housing so as to avoid buying custom axles?

in looking at billavista's 60 article and this info i think it will, just looking for confirmation from those that have created the hybrid front.
 
#169 ·
D60, D70 and D80 carriers all use the same 35 spline pattern - if that's what you're asking....
 
#172 ·
Just picked up a 70HD today and a regular Ford 70:confused:


The regular ford 70 is a 30 spline 65WMS axle.

What should i be looking for to go to a 35 spline locking setup? Is it different from the 70b/u carrier/locker options?
 
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