We run a drop out 12 bolt in the Vette, they are not the strongest but they are light and when set up correctly spin like butter

I doubt you will find many 9" gears in 3.xx door cars. 9.5's sure. As for eating up power depends on who set it up and what parts were used. You can crawl under my car and spin the yoke with by hand quite easily and it will go a couple revolutions when you stop. But as pointed out you can buy a complete whatever for what these center sections cost. Heck used they are usually right at 3 grand.

Ill second Quick Performance Aaron and those guys do great work. Aaron used to be at Yukon Gears before going to Iowa

Notice I said 9", not Ford. As far as 3 second cars go, I guess I'm talking 3 bearing pinions in a drop out.

At 2 different NSS races I saw 3 Dana's break taking out the trans with it. I'm sure those guys would have paid good money if they could go back in time and change rears. I'm running a Strange myself, but not going all that fast that I'd break a Dana. Its just that the drop out style is actually fun to work on.

You do know that a Dana even a stock one is aftermarket don’t you. Mopar never produced one. And a race Dana has zero stock parts in it.

The Strange housings that I've been looking at do not have a back brace. Looks like they build a stronger center section and then use heavy wall tubing. They do have fabricated housings but I don't think my car needs that. https://www.strangeengineering.net/product/complete-ford-9-rear-end-assembly-nb.html/

Exactly, they just share a similar design, just like the 9". IMHO, it's no different than adding aftermarket heads, intakes, cranks, rods, pistons etc.

Mopar street car, full body car, leaf spring or maybe ladder bar car. Stock eliminator - Dana is fine.

Everything else - 9".

The steel banjo housing can be braced and made much stronger than the cast or forged center with tubes pressed into it. And it makes fabrication easier.

Anyone who's ever tried to find someplace to attach 4 link brackets on 18" centers, non-parallel wheelie bar mounts, anti-roll brackets, shock mounts, locator brackets, etc, etc on a housing in a small body, big tire car gets it.

I disagree, a stock Dana 60 is a stock Dana 60 made by the Dana Corporation, correct? They are just like tires, batteries and other bolt on parts the car maker bought to use instead of making themselves on site for their exclusive use
I think the first Dana 60 I saw was in a 1957 Ford 3/4 ton pick up, I've also seen them in Chevy 3/4 tons pickups up to the 1970 model year

I don't care who did what 50 years ago. I'm trying to solve a problem today.

Here's a back braced Strange 9".

Exactly why I said 9" gears Most will be 9.5 or 10" geared centers. Not for the faint of wallet but neither is a 3 second car.

As for the Dana comments on strength. I have had them in my Valiant 9.0's at 3470 this was an S60 rear end as far as I know it is still in the car to this day. My S/ST car also had a Dana, stock narrowed housing, stock caps and a street gear. That rear end is still in the car to this day. A couple thousand laps later, with a 4 link and wheelie bars. It was 2975 and had been almost 171 all out. Neither ever broke anything. Can it happen sure, happens with 9" stuff all the time too, we have broken two gears in the dragster so far. 9" Strange bolt thru center deals. it happens.

But I don't think Andy is here to debate the merits of which is better or stronger. He needs to make a change to accomplish his goal. He does not have a car making 4 digit power so buy accordingly. If you are working with Dr Diff he will steer you in the right direction on parts selection. If the car is never going to be raced then the requirements are far less costly for something that will live a long happy life than they will be in an 8 second racecar.

Pics for attention

Well, the empty S-Series iron case is $250. The Pro Series iron is $330. The S-Series should be fine but for $80... Go with the 3.250" case.

Axles are close enough in price that 35 spline is a no brainer. Alloys should be sufficient. 35 spline posi from Strange is limited to the helical gear type or locker. Spool in a race car for sure.

Didn't say what suspension this is. I would want to have all the bracing and brackets done before putting the ends on. Or just tell Strange what you're doing and they can build it.

Again, buying a package that includes as much as possible saves money over doing it in pieces. Complete centers, axle packages, or a complete unit ready to bolt in.

The car has a Caltrac rear suspension. Split mono leaf springs with the caltrac bars. Nothing very sophisticated. I'll most likely buy the whole rear end from Strange complete with the center section, ends installed and perches welded on. Looks like they have everything I need. Pro Series nodular center, S Trac differential, 35 spline axles, 28 spline pinion, billet pinion support, 1350 yoke with speed sensor, Torino ends. Not sure about roller bearings on the pinion yoke or not. Strange offers it both ways.

Strange is very good to deal with, my S-60 came directly from them. The ordering process was painless and I got exactly what I ordered.

I think you will be good with the tapered roller pinion support. I think the ball bearing support is a little overkill for the weight of your car.

Gus

I like the Strange Ultra Case. A couple hundred extra cost wise, but absolutely bullet proof. Huge caps with big bolts, multiple pinion size options, different bearing options, forced pinion oiling, speed sensor location, 9” or 9 1/2” gear capability. Billet pinion support with multiple retaining bolts.....

The new wheels and tires are here as well as the Baer brakes so now I have all the info required to order the rear end. Glad I waited until I had all the mating parts since I needed to change some details on the rear end so the brakes would fit. I also really needed to mock things up with the new wheels and tires to get the housing width dead nuts on. Just going thru the final specs with Cass and then we'll get the order off to Strange.

The rearend will be 56 inches wide from flange to flange with equal length tubes and Torino ends. 35 spline axles, S Trac differential, Pro Series iron center section with 3.250 bore size. I'm going with 3.89 ratio standard gears and having them polished.

torino ends and ford explorer brakes, used a lot for guys with jeep builds...Tim