Comparing the Ford 9 and Dana 60: What You Need to Know Before Choosing

The Dana 60 axle is seen as more durable and better-suited to off-roading, while the Ford 9 is lighter, less expensive, and easier to modify.

Dana 60 Vs Ford 9

The Dana 60 and Ford 9″ are two of the most popular axle choices for off-road vehicles. The two axles differ in the type of vehicle for which they are made, their strength, weight, and cost. The Dana 60 is a heavy-duty axle found mostly in larger vehicles such as pickup trucks, while the Ford 9″ is lighter and more commonly used in vehicles such as Jeeps and smaller sedans.

The Dana 60 has some key advantages over the Ford 9″. It is exceedingly strong capable of handling more torque and weight than the latter making it a preferred choice for heavier rigs. Moreover, it usually isn’t as wide, making it possible for narrower wheelbases. On the other hand, it can be pricier due to its relative rarity compared to its counterpart.

In contrast, the Ford 9″ is lighter and less expensive. As a result, it’s found on many small cars and SUVs where beefiness isn’t paramount. If your needs dont call for extreme levels of performance or payload capacity then this is an ideal compromise between cost and strength. However, its size may come up short if you have an especially wide wheelbase or are looking to fit on oversized tires.

Ultimately, choosing between these two options will depend on your application what kind of vehicle you have and what you plan to use it for. While both are powerful axles capable of tough off-roading tasks a Dana 60 will beat out a Ford 9″ when it comes to ultimate strength and versatility in big setups; however if price is paramount then this latter option may be preferable since their components can be more easily sourced from cheaper aftermarket sources than the former.

Dana 60 Vs Ford 9

When considering what axle to use for a custom build, Dana 60 and Ford 9 are two of the most popular options. Both axles have their own unique sets of strengths and weaknesses, which makes it important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. It is also important to consider the core size and weight, availability, cost, and ease of installation when comparing these two axles.

Technical Specifications

The Dana 60 is a full-floating axle that is commonly used in larger vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs. It has an 8-lug wheel pattern with 3.54-4.88 gear ratio options. The Ford 9 is a semi-floating axle used primarily in smaller vehicles like passenger cars and light trucks. It has 5 lugs with 2.75-3.73 gear ratio options available.

Use in Vehicles

The Dana 60 is typically used in heavy duty applications due to its large size and strength, while the Ford 9 is better suited for lighter duty applications due to its smaller size and lighter weight. The Dana 60 can also be used in off-road vehicles due to its strength and durability, while the Ford 9 is better suited for on-road vehicles because of its lighter weight and easier installation process.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Dana 60

The Dana 60 has many strengths that make it an attractive option for custom builds. Its core size makes it one of the most durable axles available, while its wide range of gear ratios allows more flexibility when building a vehicle with different power levels or road conditions in mind. However, it can be difficult to find parts for this axle due to its large size, which can make it more expensive than other options on the market. Additionally, its larger size can also make installation more difficult as well as require additional modifications such as wheel spacers or longer wheel studs depending on application requirements.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Ford 9

The Ford 9 offers many advantages over other axles on the market due to its smaller size and lighter weight design which makes it easier to install than some other options available today. Additionally, parts for this axle are easier to find since they are typically compatible with many other models from different manufacturers which can reduce costs significantly when building a custom vehicle from scratch or replacing parts on an existing vehicle build up project. However, this axle does not offer as much flexibility when choosing gear ratios as some other options do since there are fewer ratio choices available compared to some larger axles like the Dana 60 or GM 12 bolt rear end setup for example..

Reasons to choose Dana 60 over Ford 9

When choosing between these two axles there are several advantages that may make one option better than another depending on individual needs or preferences when building a custom vehicle from scratch or replacing parts on an existing vehicle build up project . The larger core size of the Dana 60 gives it greater strength which makes it ideal for heavier duty applications such as off-road use or higher power levels compared to a smaller axle like the Ford 9 which may not be able to handle those types of loads without suffering premature wear or failure over time . Additionally , there are more gear ratio options available with this axle that allow more flexibility when building a vehicle with different power levels or road conditions in mind . This greater range of choices also helps keep costs down since fewer modifications might need made in order maximize performance potential depending on individual needs .

Reasons To Choose Ford 9 Over Dana 60

For those looking for something that is more cost efficient , easier to install , parts compatible with many models , or just something lightweight then the Ford 9 might be a better choice than going with the heavier duty Dana 60 . This axle offers all these features while still being strong enough for most light duty applications making it an attractive option for those who dont require something stronger . Additionally , since there are fewer gear ratios available compared to larger axles like the 12 bolt GM rear end setup , fewer modifications might need made depending on individual needs which can help reduce costs significantly compared to going with something like that instead .

Dana 60 vs Ford 9

The Dana 60 and Ford 9 are two of the most popular axle assemblies used in heavy duty 4×4 vehicles. Each axle assembly offers its own unique advantages and disadvantages. It is important to understand the differences between them in order to make an educated decision when choosing an axle assembly for your vehicle.

Axle Shafts & Bearings

The Dana 60 axle shafts are constructed from high-grade steel and feature a larger diameter than the Ford 9 axles, which are made from mild steel. This means that the Dana 60 axles will be stronger and more durable than the Ford 9 axles. Additionally, the Dana 60 axles feature larger bearings which provide more support for heavier loads.

Driveshaft U-Joints

When it comes to driveshaft U-joints, the Dana 60 has a larger U-joint than the Ford 9. This means that it can handle higher torque levels than the Ford 9 U-joints, making it a better choice for off road racing or other high performance applications.

Dana 60 Applications in Heavy Duty 4X4 Vehicles

The Dana 60 is commonly used in heavy duty 4×4 vehicles due to its strength and durability. It is often used for off road racing, tow/haul applications, and other high performance applications where strength is paramount. It can also be used for everyday driving as long as the correct components are selected to fit its larger size.

Ford 9 Applications in Heavy Duty 4X4 Vehicles

The Ford 9 is a popular choice among 4×4 enthusiasts due to its relatively lightweight construction and affordability compared to other axle assemblies on the market. It is suitable for everyday driving applications as well as light off roading if equipped with appropriate components such as heavy duty U-joints and differential covers. However, it should not be considered for high performance or tow/haul applications due to its limited strength capabilities compared to other axle assemblies such as the Dana 60.

Common Issues with a Dana 60 Axle Assembly

Common issues with a Dana 60 axle assembly include loose bearings, worn out seals, leaking gear oil, and bent or broken shafts due to excessive torque loads or improper installation techniques. These issues can be addressed by regularly inspecting your axle assembly for signs of wear or damage, replacing worn out seals and bearings, using thicker gear oil, and ensuring proper installation techniques are followed when installing your new parts. Additionally, upgrading components such as differential covers or shafts can help increase strength and durability when dealing with heavier loads or more extreme conditions such as off road racing or tow/hauling.

FAQ & Answers

Q: What are the technical specifications of Dana 60 Vs Ford 9?
A: The Dana 60 has a 30-spline axle shaft and a 1.31 diameter axle bearing, while the Ford 9 has a 28-spline axle shaft and a 1.31 diameter axle bearing. The Dana 60 typically comes in 4.10, 4.56, and 4.88 gear ratios while the Ford 9 usually comes in 2.80, 3.00, 3.25, 3.50, and 4.09 gear ratios.

Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Dana 60?
A: The strength of the Dana 60 is its construction and design; it is known for its superior strength compared to other axles due to its beefed up differential housing, thicker tubes (3-5/8 O.D.), larger bearings (1-1/4), bigger pinion shafts (1-3/4), larger u-joints (1350), and bigger Spicer U-joints (1480). The weakness of the Dana 60 is that it does not offer as much flexibility with gear ratios as many other axles do; only three gear ratio options are available for most applications (4.10, 4.56, and 4.88).

Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Ford 9?
A: The strength of the Ford 9 is its cost efficiency; it is significantly less expensive than other popular axles like the Dana 44 or Dana 60 due to its lower manufacturing costs from using thinner wall tubing (2-3/8 O.D.) and smaller bearings (1). The weakness of the Ford 9 is that it is not as strong as some other axles due to its weaker differential housings, thinner tubes, smaller bearings, smaller pinion shafts (1-5/16), smaller u-joints (1330), and smaller Spicer U-joints (760).

Q: What are some reasons to choose a Dana 60 over a Ford 9?
A: Some reasons to choose a Dana 60 over a Ford 9 include its larger core size & weight which makes it more durable & capable of handling higher torque loads; its availability & cost which make it easier to find parts at reasonable prices; and its variety of gear ratio options which allow for greater flexibility in tuning engine power output & driving dynamics depending on application needs or preferences.

Q: What are some differences between 80’s era Dana 60 and Ford 9?
A: Some differences between 80’s era Dana 60 and Ford 9 include their axle shafts & bearings which have different spline counts & sizes respectively; their driveshaft U-joints which have different dimensions & sizes respectively; their common applications in heavy duty 4X4 vehicles for off road racing or tow/haul purposes; their cost efficiency with respect to manufacturing costs; their ease of installation depending on vehicle type & year; and their supplementary components required for installation depending on vehicle type & year.

The Dana 60 and Ford 9 are both popular axle choices for off-road vehicles. The Dana 60 is considered to be a superior axle due to its increased strength and durability, however, the Ford 9 is a lighter and more cost-effective option. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the individual’s desired performance and budget.