The open knuckle, monobeam, Dana-Spicer Model 60 was reintroduced by Ford as a mid-year design change in the 1985 model year F-350 1 ton 4x4, replacing the Twin Traction Beam IFS Dana 50 4600 pound rated axle which was used on F-350 trucks starting in the 1980 model year. The newly reintroduced Dana 60 King Pin drive front axle, had a weight rating of 5000 pounds (the previous 1978-1979 Ford Dana 60 was rated for 4500 pounds).
The new 1985 Ford Dana 60 was slightly wider than the 1978-1979 models but otherwise quite similar to the earlier version with the exception of a dual wheel option and different brake components. With the 5000 pound Dana 60, Ford F-350 1 ton trucks once again offered a viable alternative to Dodge W-350 and GM K3500 1 ton trucks, both of which had 4500 pound rated King Pin type Dana 60 solid beam axles since the mid 1970's.
Starting mid-way in the 1988 model year, Ford's F-350 front Dana 60 had some axle shaft design changes, but almost all the other parts remained the same through the end of the 1991 model year.
The King Pin Model 60 stayed in the Ford lineup as the only available front drive axle for the F-350 until the end of the 1991 model year. Ford switched to a ball joint Model 60 for the 1992 model year.
All 1985-1991 Dana 60 Front Axles in Ford Trucks had a Ford Axle Code Tag with the Ford Production Part Number and Dana Bill of Material Number (BOM) stamped on a metal Build Tag (red arrow) attached to the differential by two of the differential cover bolts (yellow arrows) when the vehicle was shipped from the factory but, unfortunately, these tags are often missing on trucks that had prior differential service. The BOM number is a 6 digit number beginning with a 6 plus a dash number (ex: 610604-2). They can be used to determine not only the axle model, but also what components the axle was originally built with. We often ask for this number to insure we provide you with the exact parts you need for your truck.
Each different BOM number signifies an engineering part change which may be minor or major and may involve one or more parts. The dash number indicates the axle ratio and, for some years, the front wheel hub style (for single or dual rear wheel models).
1980-1984 Bill of Material Numbers: Ford did not use the Dana 60 Front Axle for these years!
1985-1987 Bill of Material Numbers 1985: 610220, 1986-1987: 610255
1988 Bill of Material Numbers 1988: 610255, 610355, 1988.5: 610313
1989-1991 Bill of Material Numbers Model 60: 610313 for all years.
