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Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? #2951504
08/07/21 09:17 PM
08/07/21 09:17 PM
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migsBIG Offline OP
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Budget for the Cuda got cut again, so now I have to figure out where to cut it from. Was going to order a Dana 60, But I can afford it. I was lucky enough to score for free a late 70’s ford Dana 60 3/4 ton rearend for free, so I think that might be the way to do. Though it says D60 on one of the diff corners, I know a few fords came with a Dana ‘61’ style rearend. I don’t know if that is the same or not as a Dana housing, but very little is available for that rear. So anybody exterior wise the difference from a 60/61 case, and how would you build it for an street/strip car?

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: migsBIG] #2951512
08/07/21 10:16 PM
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my dad said if he remembers correctly, a dana 61 will have an approx 1-2" distance from the cover to the front. also he thinks the 61 takes a longer pinion. i will ask him if he has a pic.

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: trw1982] #2951519
08/07/21 11:23 PM
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61 they moved the pinion to accommodate like a 3.07 gear….. on your “free” rear determine the gear ratio. More than likely if the casting says “60” that’s what it is. Prob a 3.54 ratio.

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: J_BODY] #2951524
08/08/21 12:44 AM
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Also check the axle tubes, some fords used a smaller tube than 3".

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: migsBIG] #2951533
08/08/21 03:09 AM
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Btween a rock and a hard place
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Some differences for sure between the two. ive done 3 8 3/4 to dana swaps I’ve bought ends and perches from dr diff. cut and welded the ends myself using a friends kit the first time. made My own and used on the other two. With new everything,ie. spool, begs axles( had the gear sets I was into it 800.00 us.

Last edited by moparlulu; 08/08/21 03:10 AM.
Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: moparlulu] #2951615
08/08/21 11:33 AM
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Is there a six-digit number stamped into one of the axle tubes which gives you that info? work
I know the Dana 70 in my Ford flatbed was easily identified that way.

Speaking of which, has anyone built a D70 from a truck rear? It's an even bigger ring gear than the 60, and usually has a 4.10 or deeper...

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: DrCharles] #2951634
08/08/21 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by DrCharles
Is there a six-digit number stamped into one of the axle tubes which gives you that info? work
I know the Dana 70 in my Ford flatbed was easily identified that way.

Speaking of which, has anyone built a D70 from a truck rear? It's an even bigger ring gear than the 60, and usually has a 4.10 or deeper...

Sox put one in his early pro stockers back in the 70s or 80s

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: DrCharles] #2951658
08/08/21 12:55 PM
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I bought a Dana 70 out of John Deanna old duster, it had 6.87 gears in it.
I swap them out to a used set of 5.38 ratio out of a Ford truck Dana 70 that I had swap a set of 4.10 into for a friend. That truck was a 1960 one ton ramp truck that had a 3 speed over, direct and under drive auxiillary(SP?)also known as a Brownie in line tranny. wrench


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: Cab_Burge] #2951842
08/08/21 08:10 PM
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migsBIG Offline OP
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Didn't know folks were using the dana 70, though it was always the 60. good to know. So for a fairly heavy car (1970 CUDA, all steel, iron block, 10.5 tire), who makes a strong axle that would be good for it? Tru-Trac or a locker diff? I'm probably going to farm out the mechanicals as have the proper equipment.

Last edited by migsBIG; 08/08/21 08:11 PM.
Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: migsBIG] #2951863
08/08/21 08:44 PM
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35 spline street and strip axles with a good clutch type posi worked forever in street racing for many years for many racers running low 8s on the street back in the day.
My S/P car has Mark Williams 40 spline axles and spool up


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: migsBIG] #2951958
08/09/21 08:31 AM
08/09/21 08:31 AM
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Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda Online content
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The factory style powerlock diff is really strong.

The one I built for my dad's road runner was probably the cheapest ever, lol. Bought the complete rear for $150 from under a '70s dodge truck IIRC. It came w/ a powerlock diff., good 3.54 gear, and surprisingly it had a 1350 yoke on it.
All I bought for it was new 35 spline axles, 35 spline side gear and rebuild kit for the diff., housing ends and perches...all from Dr. Diff. Good friend of mine narrowed it and welded it all up. Built it myself.

Did the same thing for the Dana under my other road runner. Craigslist Dana 60 from a '70s Ford truck (had a bad ring and pinion and the weaker tracklock diff.) for $125. Used 4.10 gear from moparts for $75, spool, axles, ends, 1350 yoke, and perches from Dr. Diff.


CHIP
'70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60
'69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60
'71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75
'73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75
'90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt
'06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: an8sec70cuda] #2951964
08/09/21 08:56 AM
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I built the one in my Avenger. Was a 1 ton rear. Been 1.12 sixty foot

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: migsBIG] #2952133
08/09/21 06:01 PM
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Pretty much all e250 and e350 vans came with Dana 60’s. They are very common and cheap. They do have 3.5”x3/8” wall tubes though. I just finished one for my truck. It came with 4.09 years and then used dr. Diff housing ends and spool with strange 35 spline axles and the brakes off of the 8 3/4. It believe it weighed 62lbs. more than the 30 spline 8 3/4 with a spool.[Linked Image][Linked Image]

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: 6pakdakota] #2952135
08/09/21 06:16 PM
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Mine came out of an old F350 for $100. Local guy cut it down and welded on Moser ends for $150 and set the gears up for $100.


68 Barracuda Formula S 340
87 "Chrysler" Conquest
Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: Bad340fish] #2952172
08/09/21 07:50 PM
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migsBIG Offline OP
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Sweet diff! Is that a moser cover? That looks THICC! That would be great for added strength. I just got off the phone with the only builder in my area and they don't fab work anymore, they just assemble now. Though If I can do all the mods myself or someone I know, they said they could assemble everything for $500 and I supply all the parts, which is cheap insurance since I've never built one before.

Last edited by migsBIG; 08/09/21 07:56 PM.
Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: migsBIG] #2952220
08/09/21 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by migsBIG
Sweet diff! Is that a moser cover? That looks THICC! That would be great for added strength. I just got off the phone with the only builder in my area and they don't fab work anymore, they just assemble now. Though If I can do all the mods myself or someone I know, they said they could assemble everything for $500 and I supply all the parts, which is cheap insurance since I've never built one before.



Skip the cover and buy aftermarket caps.


Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: migsBIG] #2952260
08/09/21 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by migsBIG
Sweet diff! Is that a moser cover? That looks THICC! That would be great for added strength. I just got off the phone with the only builder in my area and they don't fab work anymore, they just assemble now. Though If I can do all the mods myself or someone I know, they said they could assemble everything for $500 and I supply all the parts, which is cheap insurance since I've never built one before.


Fearless Gear in Fresno?

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: migsBIG] #2952266
08/09/21 10:44 PM
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cudaman1969 Offline
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Originally Posted by migsBIG
Sweet diff! Is that a moser cover? That looks THICC! That would be great for added strength. I just got off the phone with the only builder in my area and they don't fab work anymore, they just assemble now. Though If I can do all the mods myself or someone I know, they said they could assemble everything for $500 and I supply all the parts, which is cheap insurance since I've never built one before.

That’s steep to just set it up. $200 for me

Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: madscientist] #2952293
08/10/21 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by madscientist
Originally Posted by migsBIG
Sweet diff! Is that a moser cover? .



Skip the cover and buy aftermarket caps.
I disagree tsk
I would and have bought both the preload covers and 2 steel caps for both sides on a Dana 60 for high output(2500+ HP) use up scope


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Anyone build their own Dana 60? How to id a good housing? [Re: Cab_Burge] #2952413
08/10/21 11:50 AM
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found a dana 44 on HAMB page 40? not sure if this would work for same one.


City: YORK
State: Pennsylvania
Price: $200 OBO
Pulled out of a running 55 Ford Ranch Wagon

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