1960's Dana 60, powr-lok, 16 spline, reliability question

jbolivar · Post by **jbolivar** » February 29, 2008, 12:57 pm

Anyone have any experience, knowledge, comments on the relability/strength of the 16 spline axles in this unit? Thanks

36truck · Post by **36truck** » February 29, 2008, 1:00 pm

The # of splines are the weakest link. What are you going to do with this? If only a DD that is more that enough even a modest build will be fine. IF you are really worried about it than put in a 9" and be done with it.

jbolivar · Post by **jbolivar** » February 29, 2008, 1:32 pm

I've got a 64 short bed, installing a 429 thunderjet/c6 to run around town with - have a little fun, nothing serious. Trying to save money, for now, may go to a 9" later. I like the 60 rear end, came with the truck original.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » February 29, 2008, 2:45 pm

The number of splines does not really translate to strength, that is to say you can't compare a 16 spline Dana to a ford 28 spline. the 28 spline is weaker. The number of splines only translates to strength when it becomes a diameter issue. The 28 spline Ford is a physically smaller diameter than a 31 spline Ford. I think you will find that your wimpy 16 spline Dana is pretty much the same diameter as a 31 spline Ford. A 28 spline Ford axle is 1.2 inches in diameter, a Dana 16 spline is 1.31 and a Ford 31 spline is 1.33. Even though the spline count is lower on the Dana axle, it is much stronger than a standard Ford 28 spline like these trucks were built with. Hawkrod

jbolivar · Post by **jbolivar** » February 29, 2008, 3:04 pm

Hawkrod wrote:The number of splines does not really translate to strength, that is to say you can't compare a 16 spline Dana to a ford 28 spline. the 28 spline is weaker. The number of splines only translates to strength when it becomes a diameter issue. The 28 spline Ford is a physically smaller diameter than a 31 spline Ford. I think you will find that your wimpy 16 spline Dana is pretty much the same diameter as a 31 spline Ford. A 28 spline Ford axle is 1.2 inches in diameter, a Dana 16 spline is 1.31 and a Ford 31 spline is 1.33. Even though the spline count is lower on the Dana axle, it is much stronger than a standard Ford 28 spline like these trucks were built with. Hawkrod

Excellent! I love learning all of this stuff from you guys. Thanks very much. That makes perfect sense.