Dana 60 in my fifth avenue???

[hujibwa666]

My moms boyfriend has a BIG block dodge mud truck. He goes through axles like nothing. lol. Anyway, he has a yard full of them, and I can have one if I want it. My question is, can one of these be made to fit in a fifth avenue? What all has to be done? It has to be rebuilt, of course, so I can have it widened/narrowed then. Also, would this be a posi traction rear end, because it came out of a 4x4? Thanks

[rumblefish360]

They should have a sure grip in the rear end. Ask him, it's his rear. (Posi is a GM term)
Take measurements on booth rear ends and see where you stand.
Can it be made to fit? Of course it can.

[MoparMarcIdaho]

So you got a hemi in that 5th ave or what?Is your existing rear diff bad?Ive done some weird stuff over the years myself but nesesity is the mother of insanity too.Probably have more into the conversion than the car is worth by the time you are done Im thinkin.

[jleilich]

I agree with moparmarcidaho, a Dana is cool and all,, but that is gonig to be more trouble than its worth...... do you have a 8 3/4 now? if so, forget about it. If your rear end you have now is just complete crap and the dana is free. Then i guess it would make sence. Find a good shop who can measure and fit the rear into your car to make it fit right. you will most likely have to buy axles, maybe perches too. Research it before you start with someone who knows what they are doing..

good luck

[hujibwa666]

It's a 100% stock fifth avenue. That means 7 1/4 peg leg rear end, with like 2.21 or so gears! hahaha. Any guesses on how much power this rear can handle? So far my plans are just headers and a 4bbl intake, with a decent roller cam and maybe some ported heads

[dodger1]

IMHO forget about a Dana or even an 8 3/4 if you're just building a mild motor car. Find an 8 1/4 from an old M-body (Diplomat/Gran Fury) cop car. With any luck it'll have a Suregrip in it and 2.94 gears, as well as a: being rebuildable, b: have a rear sway bar assembly, and c: fitting your 5th perfectly. If you want to spend a buck or two in narrowing, get a late model 8 1/4 from a Dakota or B-van. It has stronger axles but will be too wide for your car. I went the copcar route in my 360 Mirada. Put a new Auburn ltd. slip diff and new bearings in it and it's been fine for 2 years and 12000 miles (Knock on wood!!)

[jleilich]

I dont know, what gears are in that dana? what is the car used for? if the gears are a good ratio for street.. 3.55 or so.. then use the dana, You cant beat free. With the new gears it will be like a new car.. call your local shops , figure out what its going to cost to make it work. if its worth it to you then go for it.

[5thAve]

Do what dodger said and get a 8 1/4. A truck rear end probably isn't going to fit in a 5th Avenue anyway.

[fastmopars .inc]

well someone else on the site already did the 'van diff with the springs on top' idea and while having the complete tires sticking out the sides looks cool in pictures, i can't imagine driving such a thing.
what would be cooler is if you got the whole driveline and made a 4x4 5th ave. that would be awesome.

[68fury]

I have a '86 5th Ave and am "warming over" and the gears are a problem for me. The damn thing won't spin the tyres off a dry pavement! OK I got traction (LOL) but 0-20 MPH its like a slug.

I can get hold of a 8.25" out of a A body and an 8.75" out of an E-Body. Will either of these fit easily? I'm more thinking about choice of gear ratios than brute strength.

Ease of fitment is an issue.

[hujibwa666]

Originally posted by 68fury
I have a '86 5th Ave and am "warming over" and the gears are a problem for me. The damn thing won't spin the tyres off a dry pavement!

What kind of stuff have you done to it? I swapped out the computer controlled crap and put on a good dual exhaust, and i could melt the 235's on demand.

[68fury]

As yet, nothing, all stock. I'm just now collecting the parts to sort it. I have a 4 barrel, decent distributor (Challenger 340 electronic) and such. I'm hoping it will wake it up a bit. Thinking about doing headers as well.

I wasn;t suppoed to be spending any money on this one, I have a Sport Fury project, but you know how it is... One thing leads to another...

[hujibwa666]

Getting rid of the lean burn will wake the motor RIGHT up. The difference between my old fifth avenue and my new bone stock one is night and day

[68fury]

cool, looking forward to it!

Can't help think a better rear end would help though. Its geared way too tall. Even for British roads with 85 MPH cruising, I'd rather have a little mor get go from the lights etc.