Questions regarding front axle

Does anyone know the differences between a ford Dana 60 vs a Dodge Dana 60? Is there any? I may be getting a front and rear set in exchange for some work. Also for those who run SAS'd 2nd gens, I'd consider narrowing these axles in order to make it more PNW trail friendly, I'm just wondering if there are any disadvantages to doing this.

 

The Dodge D60 is the least desirable axle. It has that weird axle shaft disconnect thing, weaker shafts, etc. (Read below)

This is from the "Dana 60 Bible." You should read the entire article found on Pirate 4X4:

"Description:

The Dana 60 front axle is a heavy-duty 4wd front steering axle manufactured by Dana Spicer corporation. It was most commonly used in many one ton and some 3/4 ton pickup trucks.

Over the years there have been many different variations, from early Ford closed knuckle low pinion types, to the common GM kingpin low pinion, to the 94+ Dodge Dana 60 with a vacuum operated central axle disconnect, balljoints, and 32 spline inner shafts.

The most desirable axles for heavy duty 4x4 use in stock form have open kingpin knuckles, 35 spline inner axles, 30 spline outer axles (stub shafts), and disc brakes. Later model Ford high pinion (HP) Dana 60s with balljoints instead of kingpins are also desirable axles, though many prefer the kingpin knuckles over the balljoints.

The undesirable front Dana 60 axles will not be covered by this article, and include:

74-75.5 Ford low pinion drivers side closed knuckle drum brake with 30 spline inners, 19 spline outers, small ujoints and weak knuckles.

75.5-77 Ford low pinion drivers side open knuckle disc brake 30 spline inners, 19 spline outers, outer knuckle spindle pilot hole is smaller than 78+ axle and is therefore notched to allow 1480 series U-joint tp pass through.

94+ Dodge drivers side low pinion CAD unit bearing hub 32 spline 1.31” coil sprung Dana 60s

Any other closed knuckle Dana 60, like those from a Jeep M715 that had coarse spline axles.

Common applications for the desirable axles include:

GM

1977-87 K30 1 ton 4wd

1984-88 CUCV

1988-91.5 V30

All GM / Chevy versions were passenger side differential, regular rotation (low pinion) gears, disc brakes, 35 spline inners, 30 spline outers, internal style hubs, and kingpin knuckles.

Dodge

1975-89 D-600

1992-93 D-600

1981-89 D-700

1992-93 D-700

All these Dodge versions were passenger side differential, regular rotation (low pinion) gears, disc brakes, 35 spline inners, 30 spline outers, and kingpin knuckles. 1979-89 versions had external style hubs, with the earlier versions with full-time NP203 Transfer cases having external drive flanges, and later models having external lockout hubs. The external lockout hub bolt pattern is 8 x 3.960". The 90-93 versions had internal style hubs just like the Chevy and lockout hubs. One caution with dodge applications, is you have to be careful to avoid the Dana 61 front axle. 1987-88 and 1991-93.5 Dodge D600 and D700 also came with Dana 61. More info on the Dana 61 later in the article."

Don't waste your time narrowing the axle. It's really a waste of time and money, cause after you narrow it and deal with the fabrication costs (if you can't do it yourself); then you have to order custom axle shafts! That adds $$$$ Then if your custom shorter shafts break you will not be able to find replacements at a regular store; which means that you need to order two or more sets of custom shafts so that you can have spares just in case LOL.

Also, the 2nd gen tacomas are wider and bigger than the 1st gen ones. I would keep the axle as wide as it is under a 2nd gen, it is almost a perfect fit.