Description

Dana Spicer AM0610-4L, R8341 1968 Service Manual

If you’ve ever tried to rebuild an auxiliary transmission with a third-party manual—one where the oil capacity is “check owner’s guide” and the shift rod diagram looks like it was drawn from memory—you already know the headache. I’ve been wrenching since 1996, and I’ve learned the hard way: OEM documents are the only ones you trust when the transmission is on the bench and the customer is waiting. The Dana Spicer AM0610-4L, R8341 1968 Service Manual is exactly that: 25 pages of factory-issued procedures, published by Dana Corporation in 1968, covering the 4-speed auxiliary transmissions models AM0610-4L and R8341. No rewrites, no condensed versions—just the original scan.

Lubrication: What the Factory Says About Oil

Page 3 of this manual lays out the lubricant requirements in a table you’ll want to photocopy and tape to your oil cabinet. For temperatures above 0°F, it calls for SAE 30, 40, or 50 heavy-duty engine oil meeting MIL-L-2104D or API-CD. Below 0°F, drop to SAE 30 of the same spec. They also list straight mineral gear oil (SAE 90 above 0°F, SAE 80 below) and mild EP gear oil—but there’s a warning you need to see: “DO NOT USE EXTREME PRESSURE ADDITIVES” because they’ll wreck bronze and brass parts inside the transmission. That’s the kind of detail you only get from the OEM.

Shift Rod Arrangements: Front vs Side Shift

The manual shows two shift rod layouts on page 2—front shift and side shift—with numbered positions for First, Second, Direct, and Overdrive. If you’re swapping shift covers or troubleshooting a stuck rail, the factory drawings save you from dismantling everything to figure out the rod sequence. The front shift pattern puts the direct and overdrive positions on the forward end; the side shift routes the rods differently. Both are labelled with part numbers you won’t find in aftermarket catalogs.

Capacity and Oil Change Intervals

Capacity is 12 pints at 0° installation angle, but the manual warns that actual fill depends on the angle of installation. For highway trucks, change oil after the first 1,000–4,000 miles and then every 20,000 miles. Off-highway? Drain and flush every 30 days. Check the level every 2,000 miles on-road or every 24 hours off-road. These are the numbers you bet your reputation on. Pair this manual with the Dana Spicer 1372-A Service Manual – Factory Specs & Rebuild Guide if you’re working on a different auxiliary box.

Source Validity: OEM vs Aftermarket Documentation

I’ve seen reprints that mislabel the R8341 as an AM0610-4L variant with different bearing bores. That’s a liability. This manual comes from the original 1968 Dana Corporation release—you can see “1968 DANA CORPORATION” stamped on page 2. The shift rod diagram on that same page is crisp, not a photocopy of a photocopy. For a 4-speed auxiliary transmission that’s been out of production for decades, having the OEM source is what keeps a rebuild from turning into a parts cannon. The Dana Spicer ES60-5, CM59, ES60-5A, ES60-5C, ES60-5D Service Manual covers a different family, but same factory rigor.

Need to understand the difference between a manual transmission and an auxiliary transmission? Manual Transmission basics are explained elsewhere, but this service manual focuses on the auxiliary unit—no theory, just repair.

Does the Manual Cover Overhaul Procedures?

The OCR excerpt shows the manual is written for the “professional service man” and excludes “elementary information.” That means it assumes you know how to disassemble a transmission case. What it does include is the lubrication data, shift rod arrangements, and a general description of the AM0610-4L and R8341 models. For a full teardown sequence, you’ll want to consult the factory shop manual for the specific truck or equipment that uses this transmission. This booklet is the companion to that—the stuff that changes by model, like oil specs and rod positions.

For more factory transmission manuals, check the Dana Spicer ES46-5 ES56-5 2002 Service Manual – 40 Pages of Factory Specs—a newer unit but same OEM lineage.

FAQ

What models does this manual cover?

It covers Dana Spicer AM0610-4L and R8341 4-speed auxiliary transmissions.

Is the manual a reprint or original?

This is a direct scan of the 1968 Dana Corporation publication—not a rewritten aftermarket book. You get the original page layouts, warnings, and diagrams.

Does it include torque specs?

The provided OCR does not list specific torque values. However, the manual does contain lubrication capacities, oil change intervals, and shift rod arrangements. If torque specs are required for this unit, they were likely in separate erection documents. For auxiliary transmissions of this era, the factory service manual often deferred to general torque charts. Check the manual’s front matter or contact Dana for a full torque table. This 25-page manual focuses on lubrication and shift rod identification—essential but not a full rebuild guide.

What lubricant is recommended for above 0°F?

Heavy-duty engine oil SAE 30, 40, or 50 meeting MIL-L-2104D or API-CD. Do not use extreme pressure additives.

If you’re working on one of these Spicer auxiliary boxes, get the factory data on your bench. Manual Transmission history is interesting, but this manual is about getting the oil right and the shift rods lined up. Access the Factory Manual—25 pages of original 1968 Dana Spicer documentation.