Another rear end question....

[Workin' Rig]

I was on carpart.com and was searching for rear ends (i have 3.07s and want to go to atleast a 3.54 if not a 3.73), and it says "F250 Camper special" and "F250 non camper special"...what is the difference in the rear ends themselfs???? Or can i interchange a non camper special rear with a camper special???

 

[m78]

Thats an interesting question. I checked my 1978 brochure and it only lists one axle for the F250.

 

[Workin' Rig]

Mine has a Dana 61 with a 3.07 ratio...not the best for towing my 7000lb camper

I was under the assumption they came with the D60 and 61, atleast in 77....

I know mine has a big fat stablizer bar setup...maybe thats the difference??

As long as the springs are the same width it should be a bolt in right?

 

[m78]

I thought you were just changing the gears.

There could be a big difference in the size of the brake pads and drum. Or the size of the axle shaft, etc.

 

[fatherdoug]

1978 shop manual lists a D61 with only a 3.07 and 3.31 ratio.

The D60 lists axle ratios of 3.54, 3.73, and 4.10. The camper special brochure for 1979 that Duncan posted only lists axle ratios of 3.54, 3.73, and 4.10.
Could that be the difference?

 

[Workin' Rig]

I was planning on pulling my brakes and stuff off to put on the different rear end...

This is all kinda new to me, you get past the engines and trannys on these things im kinda lost

 

[DNFXDLI]

I thought that the 61 was semi-floating wheras the 60 was full floating.

 

[Evan's f250]

I thought that the 61 was semi-floating wheras the 60 was full floating.

I believe that's correct. I know a guy that's got a '78 with a Dana 61, it's got the higher gears and semi floater. Mines got the Dana 60 full floater 4.10 gears. I don't see why a 3.07 gear would've ever been put in a F250? Full floater should swap right in. Sway bar shouldn't be the difference, mine has one too.

 

[BuzzGun79]

Workin are you sure they are 3:07's? doesnt seem right to me,Most 250's i have ecountered the base gear was the 3:54 ratio or taller.I could be wrong of course.Now my 38"S Mudder"s do drop the ratio to about that range...but i do no towing either and helps greatly with fuel mileage.I have the Dana 60 as well.At 55 mph my Tach reads about 2100 rpms.

 

[Workin' Rig]

Yep, i checked the door tag and the rear end tag....both say 3.07.

Now you got me second guessing though....so ill check the tag on the axle again...

A semi floater wouldnt have the outer hubs right? Cause mine does so i assumed it was a full floater.....??

I know i can run 75-80 all day long and not break a sweat, thats another reason i figured it was 3.07s....

 

[BuzzGun79]

You may have the 61 workin the tag should specify this providing it is the original differential...my information is the same as what Doug posted although it is not from Ford,but aftermarket replacement parts.which can make a difference in cases
I show no lower number ratio than the 3:54 9/34" ring gear for the 60
as far as semi and full floater from my information,the full has the extended hubs,semi's do not.

 

[Workin' Rig]

Mine Definatly has the Extended hubs...

My truck is also a Trailer Special....Ford musta had alot of faith in the 400 to saddle it with 3.07s in a truck that was the heavy haul version...

Everyone i talked to said it sounds like a super odd combination....but im 99% sure its 3.07's, and the Door tag and rear axle match up....

 

[LEB Ben]

Bill took me to school on this topic not very long ago and there were actually several (numerically) lower gear ratios for the various axles (can't remember the 60 limitations). The 3.54 was the (numerically) lowest you could get in a 4x4 truck though. Then it opened up for 2by's...but as I said I can't remember the options for a 60 in a 2by. This info should all be there in the 'decoder sections' of the shop manuals.

 

[Workin' Rig]

According to this....

The 61 was available in a Full Floater but was only used behind 460 trucks??? Atleast in 78....

 

[LEB Ben]

^^^Before that...the first 20 pages or so of the shop manuals that are used for decoding the VIN and Warranty Plates.

 

[Workin' Rig]

I checked my tag its definatly a 3.07 D61.

 

[primetime]

Here`s some reading. I know, it`s a D**** site but I`m wearing my flame suit. http://ramchargercentral.com/axle-tech-discussion/dana-61-re-gearing-info/

 

[primetime]

And some more.http://www.ehow.com/info_8048816_difference-between-dana-60-61.html

 

[BuzzGun79]

Workin Now that it has been determined it is a 61.If it was me,I would look for a 60 with taller gears and swap out the rear ends.I think it would be easier on the wallet as well.setting up or replacing the carrier requires proper shims,spacers ect.and you get only one shot to get it right.The 60 is also a stronger unit overall.Axle shafts and the housing itself are stronger as well.the effort would be worth the time imo.

 

[Workin' Rig]

Yeah i was planning on just swapping the whole axle come this spring...there all over the place on car-part.com for 200-250 bucks.

What do you think would be the best gear to go to? I was a good mix between towing power and still be able to cruise decently@55. I was thinking 3.73's but i think 3.54's might do me a lil better....

If i was going just for power id get 4.10's, but i wanna get more then 5mpg with a top speed of 45mph