Dana 60 Locating help??

[TrxR]

Hi I am looking for some info on locating a Dana 60 For my 87 2x4 Dakota. I know what the Danas's look like and I know the width I need (it is the same as the 68 Charger) my question is what kind of vehicle should I look for that might have a similar axle under it?? I case your wondering why I would need a Dana under a dakota it is because it is going to have a big block installed.

PS If I cant find a Dana I do have a 8&3/4 to fall back on.

[John Kunkel]

Keep in mind that the majority of the Dana 60's under trucks have full floating 8 lug drums. Combine this with the fact that the Dana spring perches are at the top and the fact that truck rear ends are much wider than the '68 Charger (by over 4 inches), and you'll be hard pressed to find a bolt in for the Dakota.
The only practical way to fit a Dana 60 to a Dakota is to find a truck unit, narrow it and install 8 3/4" ends. If the truck rear end chosen has 30 spline axles, the stock length axles from a '65-'67 8 3/4" can be used.
The whole 8 3/4" rear end would be a much wiser choice. From what I've heard, the '65-'67 is the correct width for the Dakota.

[dave571]

I'd stick with the 8 3/4. Lot's of plusses(like ease of gear change)

The Dana you want, is made of unobtainium.

Semi float Danas did survive in recent years in Ford trucks.

The bolt pattern is wrong, and it's way too wide/perches in the wrong spot, so it wouldn't work. This would perhaps work in a full size truck or van.

[drag-n-cuda]

I considering putting a Dana 60 in my E body, breaking 8 3/4" spider regularly. What is full floating mean and is it different that a dana that would have come original in a 440 4-speed car. I'm willing to shorten and put pads where they belong.

Thanks,
drag-n

[dwc43]

Full floaters are only found on 1 and 3/4 ton trucks and race cars. It has a snout that the hub and two bearings mount on. Then the axle is slid in and bolted down. That way if the axle breaks underload the wheels dont go flying off. Not any kid of choice for a car swap.

I can get ends for 8 3/4' s to make them full floaters for race cars. Most likely if your breaking spiders you also have cap walk and could break them next. This is due to axle flex caused by the design of the axle with removable front center. The 8 1/4 does not have this problem and that's one reason it replaced the 3/4 in the early '70's. Contrary to what most belive it is an equal to the 3/4 and you could try it instead. I have run several in race cars without any problem. The other fix is simple too. Add the weld on moser back brace. This will eliminate the axle tube flex in the 3/4 and was designed just to keep it from doing this. It will stop the cap flex,axle flex, and spider breakage. And the best thing to do is run a spool. No spides to break. I asume your breaking spiders in the sure grip and not a one legger.

[drag-n-cuda]

I've broke 3 different sure grips spiders in the past 2 years and a one legger many years ago. I plan on welding on the back brace very soon and have a quote for aftermarket axles, spool and necessary bearings and such.

drag-n

[dwc43]

That should hold up nicely then. Make sue to check if the tubes are straight when that brace is welded in. If they are bent already then the brace wont help.

[speedfreak440]

HEY DWC43, How would an 8 3/4 with the brace compare to a dana 60 strengthwise?? I have several good 8 3/4 rears both 489's and 742's with several different ring and pinion sets but I was convinced that with crazy amounts of horsepower that I needed a dana (would have to buy a new assembly), could I just get an opinion? oh yeah 69 charger, blown hemi-automatic, street-strip probably go with a 3.90 or so gear. thanks

[dwc43]

Blown and if you can hit the 700 up hp range I think I'd go Dana for that one. If you had been on engine or on bottle I would have went the other way.

You want to sell any of those gears? I could use some real low ones in the say 4.56 to 6.- - range. For an oval track car. Going from dirt to asphault and I will be able to pull a shift on restarts I think so I want the right gear where I can run in high instead of a higher gear ans running one gear lower in the tranny.

Been a while since I have been down the strip. Think I'll knock the dust off my old car and get it out of the back of the shop for a run or too in the comming weeks since my oval track car is not finished.

[speedfreak440]

the lowest ratio Ive got is a 4.30, I will probably put it back in the cuda before I sell it, but still not sure, probably just put in whatever the buyer wants.

[speedfreak440]

Oh yeah! thanks for the opinion on the rear diff.