- The Dana 60 is a semi-floating axle, which means the axle shaft itself carries the weight of the Ford E-350. Although not as durable as a full-floating axle, the semi-floating axle can handle up to 5,500 pounds. A heavy unit, weighing in at 500 pounds, the Dana 60 was primarily a truck differential, with Chrysler being the only manufacturer to use the model 60 on passenger cars.
- A Salisbury-type differential with internal access to the gears provided behind the rear inspection cover, the Dana 60 has 10 bolts holding the inspection cover to the differential housing. The surest method of Dana identification is to locate the BOM number stamped on the passenger-side axle, next to the differential housing. The number, "606845-1," for example, can be entered into Dana's BOM decoder for full identification and specifications (see Resource 1).
- The Dana 60, BOM "606845-1," differential axle has 35 splines with a 3.125-inch axle tube diameter. It is designed to fit 2002 through 2004 Ford E350 super-duty vans with anti-lock braking systems and 6.8-liter and 5.4-liter gasoline engines, as well as the 7.3-liter diesel. This particular Dana 60 model is a driver-side drop unit and its specifications and construction allow it to withstand up to 600 horsepower.
- The Dana 60 BOM "606845-1" gear ratio is 3.55-to-1. The gears are reverse cut and the ring gear diameter is 9-3/4 inches, and is a reverse-spiral axle, or in Ford terms, high-clearance. This translates to the pinion contacting the ring gear above the center line of the axle.