10 Bolt front rather than a Dana 60f?

[roxxx]

I have a chance to buy a matched front and rear dif set 8 bolt the only thing is the front is a 10 bolt rather than a dana 60f the price is 400 as is which seems reasonable in my area .
I am not familiar with the 10 bolt , So as far as strengths it is right between a D44 and A D60f am i correct in amusing this ? and i have read parts are easy enough to get ?

Thank you

[whitedog76]

From what I've read on other forums, the 10 bolt front and D44 are similar in strength and durability. The 10 bolt has stronger shafts and stronger center section, the D44 has strongers axle tubes. So, if one has the advantage, it's only minimal.

If you're spending the money, I would go with the D60. Especially if you do any hardcore offroading. The aftermarket is huge for them and they are heads and tails beefier than the D44 or 10B.

[special-K]

The 10-bolt front axle is very comparable to the Dana44. I'd say virtually equal,IMO. The axles replaced the Dana44 and,just like that axle,were used on both 1/2t and 3/4t trucks,Suburbans,and Blazer/Jimmys. Obviously both axles were plenty adequate for intended use and then some. But,in these days of "extreme" 4 wheeling many feel a Dana60 is a must. Truth is you can do just fine w/o one in most cases. They are way more expensive to buy and service parts are just as bad...even just brake parts. The facts are,you buy a few 10-bolts for what a Dana60 costs and Dana60s break,too,when put to the test hard enough. This coming from possibly one of the first ones here to swap a Dana60 into a truck. I love the beef in my 4wds,always have. And,I don't play that hard with my trucks. I do work them hard and that's the intended use of a Dana60. But,the fact is guys get caught up in the equipment as much for bragging rights as need. When going extreme there ain't no break-proof

[roxxx]

For this truck it is just for the lugs/rear dif really I will never take this truck bogging and off roading . I do want a bit beefier set of difs just for some Purdy wheels and maybe a bit of towing and a bit more HP than stock. The fact that they are matching set for 400 bucks appeals to me and probably cheaper than a D44 conversion ...considering the canuck buck is sliding down into the 89 cent mark.

Thank you for the responses

[Zoomad75]

It's ok to run a 10b or D44. If you aren't doing any extreme wheeling/rockcawling it's not a requirement. That being said, if you put a locker of any type in a D44 or 10b you must wheel smart. You'll get better traction, but find the other weak links like axle shafts and u-joints. So if you do upgrade to a locker/limited slip also upgrade the axleshafts to higher quality units.

Even then if you crank the steering wheel to full lock and jab the throttle hard you are likely to snap a shaft if you grab traction. Go bigger with the tires and the problems will be amplified.

For the intended purpose from original post, the 10b should be just fine.

[68post]

A ten bolt rear will handle a lot of abuse when upgraded, but those are mostly in vehicles that are 3,500 lbs total .They are one piece axles and your's are not.
Just upgrade what's needed. A Dana 60 will hold more , if needed. Exactly where the 10 bolt stops the 60 takes over , there is no in-between !

[andrewmp6]

It depends on tire size and how you will use the truck.35s or bigger and kinda hardcore off road the 10 bolt will break.Which axle is the rear tho?

[roxxx]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

It depends on tire size and how you will use the truck.35s or bigger and kinda hardcore off road the 10 bolt will break.Which axle is the rear tho?

I have a chance to buy a 10 bolt/14 bolt FF for 400 dollars but kinda wanted to do the D60 up front plus the gear set is matched on this pair

[duallyjams]

You can always make a offer that would to good for you to pass up.

[Dunenutt]

I have done some serious beating on 10 bolts, with true trac's in them. Unless you are climbing waterfalls with them, they are pretty tough. The only thing I have broken, is the knuckle u-joint. Both times were having a tire jammed at full lock. A little skinny pedal control goes a long way...

[Mr. 250r]

There's a few guys on a squarebody fb page im on that run 10bs behind 1000hp trucks they use lightweight hubs and bronze bushing u joints those are behind mud drag trucks lots of wheel spin obviously but they're never hitting hard pavement and they're not carrying a lot of weight, i ran a 10b with my 38s and it worked fine but since your not even going to beat on it i think you will be perfectly fine a 60 for what your doing is just bragging rights.

[mud.man.rj]

Ya, just stick with the 10 bolt, don't waste your money on the 60, not for what you stated as use.

[roxxx]

Thank you folks
I am going to see if the guy will hold the stuff till it gets a bit warmer out seeing as its -30 some below right now

[mud.man.rj]

Come on< it has been -30 to -40 since what November, not our best winter to date, sure good for the heating business though, making lots of money to continue building my trucks..

[roxxx]

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

Come on< it has been -30 to -40 since what November, not our best winter to date, sure good for the heating business though, making lots of money to continue building my trucks..

lol no sure isn't. makes for scrounging for parts a tad bit difficult and now we are getting big wind and still -30

[mud.man.rj]

Thats our life here, always Calgary's weather (cold only) 2 days later plus we get more snow, have over 5 1/2 ft of snow now and still cold, come on spring.

[roxxx]

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

Thats our life here, always Calgary's weather (cold only) 2 days later plus we get more snow, have over 5 1/2 ft of snow now and still cold, come on spring.

Yea its Being crazy weather

I have had +15 and have it drop to -35 in a day ..... Even right now silly for my neck of the woods its -27 plus the darn wind .saw -36 last night and WE have had huge snow which is crazy I have 4 1/2 5 feet to spring is going to be a big pain

[roxxx]

So I am going to try and pick up this set of Difs one quick question I assume the spring perches will match up But what about Shock mounts ? .... I don't know what year the set is from . I have being scrounging around on goggle but most info is kinda vague.

[obijuan]

front is all good. rear can be a 2wd or 4wd for shock mounts. if its a 14bsf or a for sure 3/4 ton 14bff the spring perches will be right. one ton spring perch rears are different.