Shop All Transmission Parts →
The Dana 60 shows up under three-quarter and one-ton trucks going back to the 1960s, in factory front axles on Ford, GM and Ram heavy-duty 4x4s, and in a lot of swap builds. Because it lived in so many places, "Dana 60 gears" is not a single part. The set you need depends on whether the axle is a front or rear, which way the pinion turns, what carrier it has, and in some cases what year it is.
Front, Rear, Standard or Reverse Rotation
The first split is rotation. Gear teeth are cut to be loaded on one side, and putting a standard set in a reverse axle makes it run on the weak coast side all the time.
- Standard rotation (low pinion): the pinion sits below the axle centerline. This covers Dana 60 rear axles and older low-pinion front axles.
- Reverse rotation (high pinion): the pinion sits above centerline, which gives the front driveshaft more clearance. The 1999-2016 Ford Super Duty front Dana 60 is the most common example. Many 1977-1991 GM front Dana 60s are low pinion; check yours.
- 2017-and-later Ford Super Duty front: this is a newer short-pinion reverse design with its own gear sets and overhaul kits. Gears from the 1999-2016 axle do not interchange.
Look at where the driveshaft enters the housing relative to the axle tubes. Above the centerline means reverse rotation. If you are not sure, our Dana 44 vs Dana 60 front axle guide shows how to tell the housings apart.
The 4.10 / 4.56 Carrier Break
Dana 60 carriers come in two series. One carrier holds 4.10 and numerically lower ratios, and a different carrier holds 4.56 and numerically higher. If your truck is 3.54, 3.73 or 4.10 and you are going to 4.56, 4.88 or deeper, you need a new carrier as well as the gears. This is also why lockers and limited slips for the Dana 60 are sold as "4.10 and down" or "4.56 and up," for example the Grizzly locker for 4.56 and up, 35 spline.
Some deep ratios are also sold in a "thick" ring gear version. Ring gear thickness has to match the carrier you will use, so check the gear listing against your carrier part number or ask us before you order. Our carrier break explainer goes deeper on why the break exists.
Picking a Ratio
| Tire Size | Gas Engine | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 35 inch | 4.56 | 4.10 to 4.30 |
| 37 inch | 4.88 | 4.56 |
| 38 to 40 inch | 5.13 to 5.38 | 4.88 to 5.13 |
These are typical starting points, not rules. Overdrive ratio, towing weight and how much highway time the truck sees all move the answer. A diesel can usually run one step taller because of its low-rpm torque. Run the numbers in our gear ratio after bigger tires guide before you commit, and remember the front and rear ratios must match exactly on a 4x4.
Gear Sets and Install Parts We Carry
| Part | Use | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dana 60 gear set, 4.56 | Standard rotation | about $530 |
| Dana 60 gear set, 4.88 thick | Standard rotation | about $530 |
| Dana 60 reverse, 4.30 thick | High-pinion front | about $450 |
| 4.10 gears with master bearing kit | Standard rotation, one box | about $555 |
| Dana 60 master install kit | Bearings, shims, seal, bolts | about $250 |
| 1999-2016 Super Duty front master kit | Crush sleeve front | about $270 |
| Open carrier, 4.10 and down | Replacement carrier | about $380 |
Do not try to reuse carrier or pinion bearings with new gears. The install kit is cheap compared with doing the job twice. Many older Dana 60s set pinion preload with shims rather than a crush sleeve, while the 1999-2016 Super Duty front uses a crush sleeve, so buy the kit made for your exact axle. A Dana 60 housing spreader makes carrier removal and installation much easier on a full-size housing.
What a Dana 60 Regear Typically Costs
- Parts per axle: roughly $700 to $850 for gears and a master install kit. Add $380 or more if you need a new carrier.
- Labor per axle: typically 4 to 6 hours at a gear shop, often $600 to $1,000.
- Both axles on a 4x4 with carriers: commonly $2,500 to $4,000 all in.
Setting pinion depth, backlash and carrier preload is what separates a quiet axle from one that howls at 60 mph. If you are doing it yourself, follow our backlash and pinion depth guide and then the break-in procedure before towing.
Dana 60 Gears and Install Kits
Standard and reverse rotation Dana 60 gear sets, master install kits, carriers, lockers and axle shafts. Ships fast from the USA.
Shop Hard Parts →FAQ
Can I use rear Dana 60 gears in a high-pinion front axle?
No. A high-pinion front needs reverse rotation gears. Standard gears in a reverse axle run on the weak side of the teeth and wear out fast.
Do I need a new carrier to go from 4.10 to 4.56 in a Dana 60?
Yes. The Dana 60 carrier break falls between 4.10 and 4.56, so moving across it needs a 4.56-and-up carrier.
Are 2017 Super Duty Dana 60 gears the same as 2005 gears?
No. The 2017-and-later front axle uses its own short-pinion reverse gear sets and overhaul kits.
Should I regear front and rear at the same time?
On a 4x4, yes. Both axles must have the exact same ratio to avoid driveline bind in four-wheel drive.