Front Axle Identification

[LPstroker]

I have a 2003 F250 FX4 4X4. I read an article in 4Wheel and Offroad (1999 Ford F-350 Super Duty Build - 4Wheel & Off-Road Magazine) and during the build up they determined that they had a Dana 50 front axle. How do I know what I have? Are there any markings that would tell me? There is a tag on one of the axle tubes and it says that it has 3.73 gears, but is there anything else it can tell me?

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

that same tag should tell you what diff you have... more than likely its a dana 60 if im not mistaken... could be wrong though..

[LPstroker]

where on the tag would it be?

[GreenF350]

I'm not sure on the tag but if you have ever had your axle shafts out you can tell easily. The Dana 50 shafts taper down to a "tiny" spline area where it splines into the diff. The 60 stays pretty much the same. I was disappointed to find out my 2000 F350 has the dana 50 when I was doing my ball joints....Unbelieveable! Good news is, if you ever break it you only have to buy a new axles from the ball joints in if you upgrade to a 60, just the carrier and center section are different if I am not mistaken.
-Aaron

[99dieselsmoke]

im more than 99% sure that u have the Dana 60 because they changed from Dana 50 to 60 in i think im not sure though late 01.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

you should be able to identify it from the tag right after the gears... mine said 3.73 10.5 for my rear...

[GreenF350]

Originally Posted by 99dieselsmoke

im more than 99% sure that u have the Dana 60 because they changed from Dana 50 to 60 in i think im not sure though late 01.

Darn! I just missed it. This is one of the only doubts I have with my Ford truck. Why would ANYONE put a Dana 50 in the front of a F350 is beyond me!

I just keep hoping that it holds out and doesn't break too soon. :pray:

-Aaron

[LPstroker]

Thanks guys. I'll have to pull some more numbers off the tag. My front diff cover is starting to rust pretty good just like my oil pan. I was going to change to my diff covers to the procomp aluminum covers, or the mag-hytec.com covers.

[99dieselsmoke]

u can actually tell by the pinion nut or shaft size. the Dana 50 has a 3/4 in. shaft and the Dana 60 has a 7/8 in. shaft. heres a link to what i have found. check it out http://jeephorizons.com/tech/pdf/dan...xle_manual.pdf

[99dieselsmoke]

Originally Posted by 99dieselsmoke

im more than 99% sure that u have the Dana 60 because they changed from Dana 50 to 60 in i think im not sure though late 01.

im wrong on the late 01. i just found that they changed in 2000. my mistake.