Rear differential question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bam Bam 56 · 07-21-2009, 10:48 AM

OK, haven't had a chance to get pictures yet, but i need some help identifying the rear end for my truck. I was told by several that it was a Dana 60, it is out of a 1970 C20 longhorn with leaf spring rear. I recently had the guy who's buying the cab from my organ donor over and he said he didn't thing it was a 60. I have researched identification but can only find info to id a Dana 44, which has 44 cast into the ribs. I have no such markings for a 60. It is a 10 bolt with a 3rd member like a Ford 9 inch has. It has 8 lug drums. I don't see many markings on it as far as PN or anything, but i don't have the entire thing cleaned up yet either.

Any idea's?

Sinister · 07-21-2009, 10:59 AM

Sounds like an Eaton HO52. Is the cover round?

STOCKISH · 07-21-2009, 11:02 AM

It is definately an Eaton.

vectorit · 07-21-2009, 11:03 AM

Here is a pic of Eaton, which sounds like what you have.
Does yours look like this?

Bam Bam 56 · 07-21-2009, 11:08 AM

That does look like mine, not so sure my cover is that smooth though. I would have to confirm that. Mine might have a couple contours to it

Is there any concerns with the Eaton. The only thing that i know about them is that this one (if this one is an Eaton) has been pulling around full hay wagons and such for the last 30 years and never failed

Bam Bam 56 · 07-21-2009, 11:20 AM

Just had my wife take pictures and send them to me. That is exactly how my rear cover looks. Any opinions on these. Loaded question, i know

69GMCLonghorn · 07-21-2009, 11:34 AM

I've had 2 trucks with Eaton rear ends. The only thing I DON'T like about them is the highest gears you can put in them is 4.10. In terms of strength, if you break an Eaton, you're probably doing something you shouldn't be doing.

My first one my dad bought in '79 and drove until around '89 when I took it. My neighbor has it and works the CRAP out of it to this day. It has over 400,000 miles on the rear end and it's just like new...

vectorit · 07-21-2009, 05:01 PM

My Eaton is the original in my 68 K20 burb, and most of it's life was spent pulling trailers. Never had a failure, they are leakers though... Takes a lot of care to get them to seal properly.

Mine always leaves it's mark in the garage.

capev86 · 07-22-2009, 09:00 PM

i am looking to swap out the 4.57FD in my 72 suburban (coil spring rear) for the 4.10 (any guys looking to mud bog or rock climb and stuck with the softer gear?). i plan to also install the OD unit on the saginaw 3 on the column. that combined with the stock size tall tires should be about equivalent to a 1/2 ton w/ 3.73 gears and OD and net me 17-18mpg trips from the ol' 307. i plan to tow trailers with my burb, so 4.10 is a good compromise. the 4.57 is terrible on the highway and 50mph is like 75 in a modern truck.

07-21-2009, 10:48 AM	#1
Bam Bam 56 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Little Chute, WI Posts: 122	Rear differential question OK, haven't had a chance to get pictures yet, but i need some help identifying the rear end for my truck. I was told by several that it was a Dana 60, it is out of a 1970 C20 longhorn with leaf spring rear. I recently had the guy who's buying the cab from my organ donor over and he said he didn't thing it was a 60. I have researched identification but can only find info to id a Dana 44, which has 44 cast into the ribs. I have no such markings for a 60. It is a 10 bolt with a 3rd member like a Ford 9 inch has. It has 8 lug drums. I don't see many markings on it as far as PN or anything, but i don't have the entire thing cleaned up yet either. Any idea's? __________________ Chris "Bam Bam" Shields Little Chute, WI 1970 Chevy Longhorn C20 in progress 2007 Chevy Vortech MAX - every day beast Project Longhorn

07-21-2009, 10:59 AM	#2
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Rear differential question Sounds like an Eaton HO52. Is the cover round? __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

07-21-2009, 11:02 AM	#3
STOCKISH Formerly- 1972SuperCheyenne Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wake Forest NC Posts: 5,782	Re: Rear differential question It is definately an Eaton. __________________ --Josh My Build Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=799218 A good crossthread is better than Loctite any day. Life is not about what you have, but who you have to share it with.

07-21-2009, 11:03 AM	#4
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Rear differential question Here is a pic of Eaton, which sounds like what you have. Does yours look like this? Attached Images __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

07-21-2009, 11:08 AM	#5
Bam Bam 56 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Little Chute, WI Posts: 122	Re: Rear differential question That does look like mine, not so sure my cover is that smooth though. I would have to confirm that. Mine might have a couple contours to it Is there any concerns with the Eaton. The only thing that i know about them is that this one (if this one is an Eaton) has been pulling around full hay wagons and such for the last 30 years and never failed __________________ Chris "Bam Bam" Shields Little Chute, WI 1970 Chevy Longhorn C20 in progress 2007 Chevy Vortech MAX - every day beast Project Longhorn Last edited by Bam Bam 56; 07-21-2009 at 11:09 AM.

07-21-2009, 11:20 AM	#6
Bam Bam 56 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Little Chute, WI Posts: 122	Re: Rear differential question Just had my wife take pictures and send them to me. That is exactly how my rear cover looks. Any opinions on these. Loaded question, i know __________________ Chris "Bam Bam" Shields Little Chute, WI 1970 Chevy Longhorn C20 in progress 2007 Chevy Vortech MAX - every day beast Project Longhorn

07-21-2009, 11:34 AM	#7
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: Rear differential question I've had 2 trucks with Eaton rear ends. The only thing I DON'T like about them is the highest gears you can put in them is 4.10. In terms of strength, if you break an Eaton, you're probably doing something you shouldn't be doing. My first one my dad bought in '79 and drove until around '89 when I took it. My neighbor has it and works the CRAP out of it to this day. It has over 400,000 miles on the rear end and it's just like new...

07-21-2009, 05:01 PM	#8
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Rear differential question My Eaton is the original in my 68 K20 burb, and most of it's life was spent pulling trailers. Never had a failure, they are leakers though... Takes a lot of care to get them to seal properly. Mine always leaves it's mark in the garage. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

07-22-2009, 09:00 PM	#9
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	Re: Rear differential question i am looking to swap out the 4.57FD in my 72 suburban (coil spring rear) for the 4.10 (any guys looking to mud bog or rock climb and stuck with the softer gear?). i plan to also install the OD unit on the saginaw 3 on the column. that combined with the stock size tall tires should be about equivalent to a 1/2 ton w/ 3.73 gears and OD and net me 17-18mpg trips from the ol' 307. i plan to tow trailers with my burb, so 4.10 is a good compromise. the 4.57 is terrible on the highway and 50mph is like 75 in a modern truck.



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