Dana 50 Question

[LR3]

Recently I began looking into doing a axle swap on my WJ. A local shop has a D50 with 5.13s, a locker, and Chromos sitting there for 800. I have a East Coast Gear Supply D60 in the rear, but my concern is the width between the D50 and D60. I have not been able to find online anywhere the widths of the D50. Does anybody know?

[fordsuperduty]

The 50s and 60s are identical width as far as I know. The only difference would be a 60 with spacers for a dual wheel application other than those they generally be the same width as your rear 60.

[2JSC]

Depends on what it came out of. F150's are like 65" wide. F250/350 are around 70" wide. Both of which are wider than a WJ which is around 60" wide. Isnt your ECGS D60 stock width?

[fordsuperduty]

50s were offered in 2 versions, TTB {twin Traction Beam} and solid axle. Now unless your 60 has been narrowed there should be very little to no difference in hub to hub width. The biggest problem with a dana50 is that it retains stock dana60 axleshaft diameter until necks down into the carrier which is 30 spline.

[LR3]

The 60 has been narrowed. It is only 3 inches wider than the D35/D44a that came stock in those. If it's a minute difference, say three inches total, then I can just run 1.5 inch spacers im the rear, but if it's a larger difference inwouldnt be comfortable running a larger spacer

[fordsuperduty]

I'll measure my front end and get you some numbers

[fordsuperduty]

Your looking at 71.5 inches roughly

[LR3]

Thank you sir! That's helps a lot

[WHITE-TRASH]

Originally Posted by fordsuperduty

50s were offered in 2 versions, TTB {twin Traction Beam} and solid axle. Now unless your 60 has been narrowed there should be very little to no difference in hub to hub width. The biggest problem with a dana50 is that it retains stock dana60 axleshaft diameter until necks down into the carrier which is 30 spline.

Well that and the cute little dana 44 high pinion gear set, the stock vacuum operated hubs, craptastic unit bearings and ball joints. But yea, other than that it's a great axle!

[Calderwood]

Like just about everything, I'm with white trash on this one. Buy a pre super duty D60 or go with one of the updated D60s in the newer super dutys. The D50 was a mistake that never should have happened.

[WHITE-TRASH]

Originally Posted by Calderwood

Like just about everything, I'm with white trash on this one. Buy a pre super duty D60 or go with one of the updated D60s in the newer super dutys. The D50 was a mistake that never should have happened.

You'd better not admit that in a section that people actually read of you'll end up with a bad reputation.


I believe it was '03 and later that the 60 was standard issue. Prior only the duallies got the 60 and the single wheel received the failed abortion. Unit bearings are still considered throw away consumable items and ball joints are where queers hang out not what I choose to run on anything considered heavy duty.

[Calderwood]

Originally Posted by WHITE-TRASH

You'd better not admit that in a section that people actually read of you'll end up with a bad reputation.


I believe it was '03 and later that the 60 was standard issue. Prior only the duallies got the 60 and the single wheel received the failed abortion. Unit bearings are still considered throw away consumable items and ball joints are where queers hang out not what I choose to run on anything considered heavy duty.

The D60 in my 05 is the updated version with the massive tubes. I think all the coil spring trucks have this front axle. The knuckles are bigger than the old D60 stuff as well. There is also the even bigger super 60 in the heavier trucks starting with the f450 or f550.

[WHITE-TRASH]

Yea, everything was upgraded in '05 when the "new" suspension came out. When they came out with the 6.ohshititblewupagain in '03 they stopped screwing around with the 50 and went 60 in everything. The super 60's are much beefier but there are some 70's that came out in the kodiak trucks that were crazy big. Their issue is they are only available in 4.88 and 5.13 ratio's since they're high pinion 70 and that's the only application ever made.