Ford Rear End Question

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I'm in the process of looking around for a truck. Still doing a lot of research.

According to the Wikipedia article on Ford SuperDuties, The one ton (350s) all come with Dana 60 front ends, but some of them have Dana 80 rears and some have a Sterling (Ford Corporate, I think) with a 10.5 inch ring gear.

The Dana's are of course tried and true. The Sterling I know nothing about. I do see that ARB makes a locker for it. Is this by any chance a known problem child (like that one Ford Diesel engine)? Or is it OK? Any feedback on it? Thanks.

Regards
John

 

[shortbus4x4]

They are good rearends. The Sterling has been around long enough for the kinks to be worked out of it.

 

[bjm206]

The 10.5 Sterling is a reliable axle.

 

[Halligan]

I know some early Superduy's came with a Dana 50 in front so double check before you assume it's a Dana 60. Also, certain later model trucks came with a "super 60" front axle which is beefier than a regular 60. My 2008 V10 with 4.30 gears had the super60.

 

[Halligan]

I'll add to my previous post. According to Wikipedia the Dana 50 solid axle was used under all Excursions and 1998-2002 F250 and F350 trucks. Also, Sterling axles are used in single rear wheel applications while the Dana 80 is used in dual rear wheel applications.

 

[BlackWidow]

I have the Sterling and have never had any issues with it.

 

[A7XJ]

I have never heard of anyone breaking one except for Petersen's 4 wheel& offroad, but that was under extreme conditions. I don't know how available gear ratios are though.

 

[TKSC01]

I'll add to my previous post. According to Wikipedia the Dana 50 solid axle was used under all Excursions and 1998-2002 F250 and F350 trucks. Also, Sterling axles are used in single rear wheel applications while the Dana 80 is used in dual rear wheel applications.

There are 4 types of Sterling axles. Only one of them is for a single wheel. You can get a Dually Sterling axle, I have on under my Bronco.

 

[silvrzuki77]

All F350's had D60 fronts and 2003 and up F250 had them also, look for 05 and newer coilsprung had 35 spline outers, better turning, and stronger unit bearings. Sterling 10.5 is pretty much bulletproof.

 

[locrwln]

All F350's had D60 fronts and 2003 and up F250 had them also, look for 05 and newer coilsprung had 35 spline outers, better turning, and stronger unit bearings. Sterling 10.5 is pretty much bulletproof.

Not exactly. F350 dually's all had d60's, but the F350 SRW trucks didn't get the 60 until the mid 2002 year (both 250 and 350 trucks) and then 60's from there on (excluding Excursions, they kept the 50 'til the end).

To the OP, don't worry about the Sterling 10.5 in a SD. Ford is still using that rearend with 800lb/ft of torque in the new trucks.

Mine loaded for Moab


Jack

 

[Buliwyf]

The Sterling/Visteon 10.5" is a great axle. I can't recall anyone have much trouble with one. Just shim the LSD diff tight for off road and use less (er...none) friction modifier and it works well.

The Dana 80 is on the DRW.

The front Dana 50 isn't a bad axle. It's a Dana 60 with slightly weaker guts. It's pinion is about the same size as a Dana 44 last time I saw one. Slightly increased pinion bearing wear is the only negative thing compared to the Dana 60 IME. Still a good reliable axle. I wouldn't put one in a rock truggy, but for a regular F250/F350 it's fine.

The Sterling 10.25" and 10.5" are about the same. If you need 4.88 gears in the 10.5 you have to buy a 10.25" gearset and swap out the axle bearings and such, If I recall correctly. I don't have to fix these often, they never break.

Only locking diffs for the Sterling 10.5 are the Detroit Locker (full case soft locker) and the ARB.

 

[Rot Box]

The only complaints with the Sterling I've heard are more expensive brake parts compared to Dana, limited gearing options (a couple with Sterling vs. a million with Dana) and limited locker availability. As for strength it is VERY strong :Wow1:.