1970s Ford Axles, are they 61s

[B2Krawler]

I have a few early 70s Ford trucks, 2 and 4 wd
some have dana 60s, 30 spline,

some look a little more stout, but cant find any numbers on them, are they D61s,they are 30 spline, have a heavy block area of casting at the base, look difficult to shave, unlike the 60s that have a 1" lip that look easy to shave, they appear to have the same cover as the 60, but a slightly larger pumpkin casting

All are FF, have 3.5 inch axle tubes, they are not a smooth pumpkin like a D70

I tried a search for Dana 61s but the search engine times out

if they are 61s, are they good?

what did early Fords come with? is it a ford diff?

[bronko]

I might be wrong but according to Mr. N rear Ford dana 61s would be semifloat and c-clipped...

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/images...mifloating.gif

If they are 61s then no they are not worth much.

[fordnut]

i would think they could be dana 70 some were webed not smooth.

[Fordman500]

From what ive found out, the 70u is smooth, which has 35 spline axles. Others have 23.

[Andy351]

61s were put in vans to run low ratios like 3.08, i dont think they started until the 80s gas crunch. the pinion is offset more to accomodate this so you can't swap 60 parts straight in but it can be done with a ring gear spacer. they are full float.

[Mr.N]

Originally Posted by bronko

I might be wrong but according to Mr. N rear Ford dana 61s would be semifloat and c-clipped...

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/images...mifloating.gif

If they are 61s then no they are not worth much.

Check my web page for when I update with stuff like new charts!

Above chart updated:

[Mr.N]

Originally Posted by Fordman500

From what ive found out, the 70u is smooth, which has 35 spline axles. Others have 23.

I'd say that info in not 100% correct.
Quick check show 23 splines until 1975.


The following all had 35 splines

Model Offset Approximate years Notes
70-B 0.625" 1971 - 1982 3.56" Axle tube diameter
70-BF 0.625" not documented Front Drive axle disc
70-U 0.625" 1982 - present Nice smooth bottom
70-HD 0.625" 1982 - present 4" axle tubes diameter
70-3HD 0.969" 1982 - present
70-DF -na- not documented Non-drive steering disc
70-IC 0.625" not documented Rigid Independent

Only one that did not:
70 0.500" late 50's - 1971 Hard to find parts.

(From my Dana 70 web page)

[Mr.N]

Originally Posted by Andy351

61s were put in vans to run low ratios like 3.08, i dont think they started until the 80s gas crunch. the pinion is offset more to accomodate this so you can't swap 60 parts straight in but it can be done with a ring gear spacer. they are full float.

1974 was the first Dana 61. BOM 603429

[Mr.N]

Originally Posted by B2Krawler

I have a few early 70s Ford trucks, 2 and 4 wd
some have dana 60s, 30 spline,

some look a little more stout, but cant find any numbers on them, are they D61s,they are 30 spline, have a heavy block area of casting at the base, look difficult to shave, unlike the 60s that have a 1" lip that look easy to shave, they appear to have the same cover as the 60, but a slightly larger pumpkin casting

All are FF, have 3.5 inch axle tubes, they are not a smooth pumpkin like a D70

I tried a search for Dana 61s but the search engine times out

if they are 61s, are they good?

what did early Fords come with? is it a ford diff?

Best gears OEM are 4.10. Search on a spacer for more options....

How to find the BOM (draft)-> http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/BOM_Info.htm

[B2Krawler]

great info, but that chart looks like it is only for SF not FF

[Mr.N]

Originally Posted by B2Krawler

great info, but that chart looks like it is only for SF not FF

Good point. BUt the 61 is rare enough if the BOM is posted I can respond with info.

I've a compiled a database of 6,700 different BOM's. Just waiting for my php admin to finish up the info so it can be search-able.

[ChrisB]

It sounds like a 61 to me. From what I've seen they are roughly a mid 70s to mid 80s item with the same cover as a 60. The heavier case, and large axle tubes you describe fit what I have seen. 3.07, 3.31, 3.54, 4.10 are the ratios you should find off the top of my head. The 61 should be cast into the case somewhere. I know there are full float versions.

[Fordman500]

Originally Posted by Mr.N

I'd say that info in not 100% correct.
Quick check show 23 splines until 1975.


The following all had 35 splines

Model Offset Approximate years Notes
70-B 0.625" 1971 - 1982 3.56" Axle tube diameter
70-BF 0.625" not documented Front Drive axle disc
70-U 0.625" 1982 - present Nice smooth bottom
70-HD 0.625" 1982 - present 4" axle tubes diameter
70-3HD 0.969" 1982 - present
70-DF -na- not documented Non-drive steering disc
70-IC 0.625" not documented Rigid Independent

Only one that did not:
70 0.500" late 50's - 1971 Hard to find parts.

(From my Dana 70 web page)

Thanks for the clarification!

[B2Krawler]

why are 61s no good, same axles, heavier case?

[Scot]

There should be a number cast into the web of the case near where the axle tube goes into the case. If not there, it is cast into the side of the case at about pinion level.
61's were fairly common in both trucks and vans. Every one I have seen has a place on the top of the case that has a raised U shaped area about 1 1/2" diameter. It looks like some applications might have had a hole and something bolted onto that area.

[bremen242]

3.5" tubes + 30 spline shafts = Dana 61.

3.5" tubes + 35 spline shafts = Dana 70

The 61s that I have seen have heavy gussets on either side of the case, and the lip sticks down past the diff cover, although not as much as a 70.

61s also seem to be 'ribbed' underneath too.