Dana 60 front axel date code help

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

KrewKabKid

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2021
Posts
10
Reaction score
10
Location
Ga.
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1979 chassis 1986 body
Truck Model
K30 4x4 crew cab short bed
Engine Size
454
I find all kinds of pics with red arrows pointing out the date code and BOM code location on the web but none of them decipher the date codes only the BOM code. I've put every combo of questions in the search box here and come up with nothing. I've asked 3 people and have gotten 3 different answers. Here is my codes can someone please give me the correct answers so I can order parts thanks in advance. Dana 60 front axel housing 9 20 6A9 BOM 610057-5
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,961
Reaction score
23,475
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
My hunch is that the "6A9" is the date code. "6" being the 6th day of the month, "A" being the month (January) and "9" being the year (1979 or 1989). That's how many manufacturers have done it, so that is my guess here. I've never tried to decipher mine because I already know what's in them and what year they were made.

Someone here will know for sure, maybe @shiftpro or @nvrenuf will know.
 

KrewKabKid

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2021
Posts
10
Reaction score
10
Location
Ga.
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1979 chassis 1986 body
Truck Model
K30 4x4 crew cab short bed
Engine Size
454
My hunch is that the "6A9" is the date code. "6" being the 6th day of the month, "A" being the month (January) and "9" being the year (1979 or 1989). That's how many manufacturers have done it, so that is my guess here. I've never tried to decipher mine because I already know what's in them and what year they were made.

Someone here will know for sure, maybe @shiftpro or @nvrenuf will know.
I'm with you Bucket on the 6A9 that's my thinking as well, being is this is supposed to be a 79 axel housing I have. Another way I was told was 9 for month 20 for day 6 for year A9 was some sort of class category. Then another said the same as the above but the A9 was a factory designation I don't buy either of the 2 as being correct. I believe you're right now I need the 9 20 BOM #'s say 1979-80 Dana 60 4.10 gear ratio 41.10 cut Thanks for your input
 

nvrenuf

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
1,689
Reaction score
1,874
Location
Mobile, Al.
First Name
John
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
454
Once upon a time, Dana had an easy to use page where you could look up a BOM quickly but for some reason they killed it.

I did find the BOM on a couple of pages, the end results are;



610057 GM 60 FRONT 1979-80 K-30


610057-5Front4.10StandardLow (4.10-)35 SplineDana 60

Between the 2 sites you can glean that it’s a ‘79 or ‘80 axle, low pinion, 35 spline (inner axles) and 4.10’s.

The date stamped in the ring gear may help narrow down the year if needed. This date isn’t related to the axles date of assembly but if the date is early ’79 or older (‘78 etc) that would probably indicate a ‘79 model year.
 

nvrenuf

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
1,689
Reaction score
1,874
Location
Mobile, Al.
First Name
John
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
454
Also, ( @bucket ) check this page, scroll down to the BOM section and it explains the new Dana page and where to navigate on it to search BOM’s.

 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,961
Reaction score
23,475
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Also, ( @bucket ) check this page, scroll down to the BOM section and it explains the new Dana page and where to navigate on it to search BOM’s.


That site says the date code should be the normal-to-most XX-XX-XXXX arrangement. Perhaps it is on the axle and OP just hasn't uncovered it yet?
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,871
Reaction score
14,885
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Dana 60HD
1979-1980
4.10 ratio
35 spline inner
30 spline outer
Kingpin


The Dana website doesn't provide BOM info for axles older than like, 1980 or some ****.
But these guys do:
 

KrewKabKid

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2021
Posts
10
Reaction score
10
Location
Ga.
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1979 chassis 1986 body
Truck Model
K30 4x4 crew cab short bed
Engine Size
454
That site says the date code should be the normal-to-most XX-XX-XXXX arrangement. Perhaps it is on the axle and OP just hasn't uncovered it yet?
My stampings look the same and laid out just like this diagram 9 20 6A9 610057-5
 

Attachments

  • light-axle-pic1 GM Dana 60 front.png
    light-axle-pic1 GM Dana 60 front.png
    152.6 KB · Views: 59

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,856
Posts
903,618
Members
33,369
Latest member
mitchell1128
Top