Dana 50

The Dana 50 is a solid front axle manufactured by the Dana Holding Corporation. It is primarily found in Ford and General Motors light-duty trucks and SUVs, typically those with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) exceeding that of vehicles equipped with the lighter-duty Dana 44 axle. The Dana 50 is known for its increased strength and load-carrying capacity compared to the Dana 44, making it suitable for heavier applications like towing and off-road use.

Key features of the Dana 50 axle often include:

• A larger ring gear diameter than the Dana 44, contributing to higher torque capacity.
• Heavier-duty axle tubes and internal components for increased durability.
• Typically uses a reverse-cut (high pinion) design in Ford applications, which provides improved driveline angles in lifted vehicles.
• Variations exist in terms of axle shaft spline count and overall width, depending on the specific vehicle application.

The Dana 50 was primarily used from the late 1970s through the late 1990s. In Ford applications, it was commonly found in F-250 and F-350 trucks. It was eventually superseded by the Dana 60 in many heavy-duty applications.