For the Mopar enthusiasts, please don't flame me. I'm really struggling with this one: I've been slowly working on my 70 Barracuda for 5 years now. I'm getting close to ordering a rearend and I need some input. This will have a 700ish HP initially (maybe 800 later) 6.1L based stroker w/ a supercharger, and 6 speed TR6060 manual trans. The rear suspension will be a panhard bar, 2 link, torque arm, and airbags. The wheels will be forged 3 piece and tires will be 345s (28.5" diameter)

Use will be mostly spirited street driving with occasional drag strip or auto cross duty.


Help a brother out. It mostly comes down to this: Do I want a sweet looking, tough D60 and save 100 pounds of unsprung weight or save $500 and use a 9" that will never look as good and would seem weird. What would you do? See my pro's and con's list below


Strange/Dana 60 pro's:
1.) 9.75" that is nearly indestructible (axle shafts rated for 850hp)
2.) Cheaper then Moser built 9" by about $500. Strange's rearends (35 spline axles, Ltd slip center section) are $1895.
3.) looks like it belongs in a classic Mopar

Strange/Dana 60 con's:
1.) 100lbs heavier then 9"
2.) limited gear choices (doesn't bother me because Strange offers 4.10's which should be perfect for my .50 6th gear)

Mosier/Ford 9" pro's
1.) 100 lbs lighter then Strange/Dana 60
2.) Adequate strength
3.) Lots of gear choices (don't care that much as I won't be swapping gears)

Mosier/Ford 9" con's
1.) $500 more expensive then Strange 60
2.) Pinion angle robs some power
3.) Adequate power but not quite as strong as the Strange/Dana 60
4.) Doesn't look like it belongs in a Mopar

I think you might need to look at your packaging requirements. Can you put a torque arm and a panhard bar on a Dana 60? The rear cover might get in the way of the panhard bar. Where is the torque arm going to mount? Some of them bolt to the center section, some weld to the housing.

If you want a back brace on the rear end then you need to figure out where your shocks go and how the panhard bar fits into the equation.

Pretty sure a built 9" capable of handling what the S60 can is not all that much lighter.

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/ccrp-0806-chevy-chevelle-rear-axle-swap/

Only true comparison I have seen between the S60, the 9" and the 12 bolt.

Read it and you will be surprised at the myths floating around regarding the 9".

Do yourself a favor and get the Big Ford ends. Like AndyF says, look at your packaging requirements. I would source a drivetrain shop near you and have them put BF ends and a nice third member in. Save the $$.

Agreed on the big ford ends for either housing, many many more options for brakes (and cheaper too)

Spend some time sorting the gear ratio too with a .50 6th. your combination with 4.10's would be only turning 1700rpm in 6th at 70mph which might be too low depending on how your engine is setup. There is a free tremec app for phones that does the calculations for you.

I think you ought to go by the "without brakes" weight. In the article they used smaller drum brakes on the S60 and 12 bolt, with the 9" getting much bigger and heavier brakes, even so the weights are close either way.

I'm thinking, subject to packaging constraints, that the S60 wins based on cost. The other numbers are close enough, in either direction, for them to be a wash for all intents and purposes.

Put the explorer brake kit on, its the same as the Grand Cherokee but with better bearings. I went with the 60 because there is a lot of misinformation about back bracing and other issues, the 60 doesn't need back braced, the brace goes over the top. Lots of offroad guys out there welding up the 60's tubes to the housing and not one average person needs to do multiple gear swaps like claimed that they need a 9" for. It would be down to money for me. Tim

9" gains you tunnel clearance because the pinion is so low.

Call Dr Diff he sells both and ask him. He's a straight shooter.

I chose my rear based on my brakes- fixed calipers do better with a full floater. I went 9" because it was easy and cheap to get a custom width full floater set-up.

Dana 60 would get my vote if you're going to pick a gear and stick with it (and run floater calipers).

One of our Mopar brothers in Haysville has a complete Dana 60 that he will let go for cheap that didn't sell at the swap last week.

Text me and I'll give you his number if you're interested.

Ordered a Strange 60 on Friday since their prices went up $400 starting today.

I bought a Strange S60 for my 69 RR vert from Summit with a coupon for 10% off. Buying it that way was the cheapest way to do it. I did plenty of research.

My logic was that the S60 was brand new, came bolt-in ready, and is bullet proof. I'm only running a slightly modified 440 that makes about 430 horses.

I opted for the 3.73 gear, powder coated with perches already mounted, and 11" drum brakes. I also upgraded the diff cover.
I have about 1100 miles on my full resto, and so far, so good.

Did I mention that it looks awesome?!?!?

Were those mufflers "clearanced" like that when you got them?