Our 1999-2004 Ford Dana 60 front axle identification guide will help you discover how to tell Dana 50 from 60 and Ford super duty front axle identification by axle tag Bill of Material (BOM) number using the ID codes on the axle tags. When the 1999 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty® trucks were first introduced, all the Single Rear Wheel (SRW) models used a Dana-Spicer Model 50 monobeam front axle. Externally, the Model 50 Axle looks almost exactly like a Dana 60 used in the F350, F450, and F550 Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) trucks; however, all the internal differential components are substantially smaller. During the 2001 model year, an SRW version of Dana 60 became available. By the start of the 2003 model year, the Dana 60 had completely replaced the Dana 50 in all F-Series Super Duty models although it did continue to be used for the Excursion SUV through 2005.
The best way to determine what axle model you have is to look at the axle ID tags. The Dana Axle Bill of Material Number will tell us what your axle model is, the ratio, and what parts your particular axle was built with. There should be a metal Dana BOM Tag held on by two of the diff cover bolts. There should also be a white Ford assembly decal on the right axle beam.
