DANA 60 experts

tnts72 · Jul 20, 2015

So I have been hunting for an 8 3/4 for this Duster without much luck. Of course everything needs cut down / axles resplined - yet to find a good dana version posi unit....

So I have found a Dana 60 3.55 Powerlok posi 602907 4 BOM number unit for $100...

I realize these are heavier units and based on the numbers would have only 23 spline axles - out of a 67 Ford F100.

Question - would this make a good core to build for this Duster? Axles are 5 on 5" I am told - does not inlcude brakes just the old ford backing plates. This unit will need will need the perches relocated along with new car housing ends - could have the axles resplined if the housing does indeed need shortened - am told it is 56" backing plate to backing plate or leave as is - doubt this SB Duster will make enough power even with slicks to hurt a 23 spline dana axle... If I can get rims with enough backspacing to get a 9-10" tire under this thing

So fill me in - good buy for $100 or keep looking? Have also read the machine work can be done to install a pinion snubber on these rears??

ssba · Jul 20, 2015

You can change the side gears in the power lok to whatever spline you care to run.

69MOPE · Jul 20, 2015

Check the Doctor Diff website. $100 is a good deal and if you were going to use 3.54 gears it's a great deal. I would swap the side gears for 35 spline, install new clutches, use Moser car ends, Dr Diff 35 spline axles and bearings, lighten the housing this would be a great time to move your springs in 3/4". Before you start, make sure the tubes are 3 1/8", not 3 1/2". I also think Moser Engineering is located near you, shipping the Dana to have it shortened can be costly.

69MOPE · Jul 20, 2015

http://www.doctordiff.com/
http://www.moserengineering.com/complete-rear-end-assemblies.html

tnts72 · Jul 20, 2015

Yes it will be on the street 3.55's are what I was after. I should be able to add a pinion snubber from what I have been seeing on some other threads and browsing housing pictures...

The larger axle tubes are not desireable just due to the added weight of the tubes or does it require bigger / heavier bearings?

ssba · Jul 20, 2015

Its just the weight and dia. of the thicker tubes. You will also have a little grinding to do
on spring perches using the heavy wall tubes. Not hard to overcome though.
Bearings are the same.

6pkScamp · Jul 20, 2015

This was my first but I narrowed a truck 60 and bought the parts from Dr Diff. Thought I had a power loc for a 60 turned out to be a 70. Used the kit to do the narrowing, came out pretty nice. Ended using a Yukon Grizzly locker for the carrier.

tnts72 · Jul 20, 2015

Nice! Couple guys I race with were trying to talk me out of the 60 due to it being a "big heavy" dump truck rearend lol. I'm sure it will slow the car down a bit, but it won't be the weak link! Need to find some brakes for it now.

perfacar · Jul 20, 2015

hi, if it's out of a ford pickup ,it's the lightest dana 60. the axle splines should be 30 spline , same as the 8 3/4 spline. I installed same rearend in my duster. it had 30 spline axles, I used my 8 3/4 axles and ends welded on. the tubes are 3" same as mopar. as for weight , it was 32 # heavier!!! it did NOT slow the car down!! also, I changed the front yoke to mopar 1350. also, I bought a dana 60 out of a jeep 20 pickup. axle tubes are 2 3/4 dia. also was a 30 spline axles. just food for thought

6pkScamp · Jul 20, 2015

tnts72 said:
Nice! Couple guys I race with were trying to talk me out of the 60 due to it being a "big heavy" dump truck rearend lol. I'm sure it will slow the car down a bit, but it won't be the weak link! Need to find some brakes for it now.

A Dana is a more efficient rear end than a 8 3/4 or a 9". From what Ive read people claim their cars went faster. I broke the axle in my 8 3/4 and rather than spend $500 on aftermarket pieces I put it towards the Dana. I got shortened 35 spline axles from Dr Diff bearings studs ready to go for $300. I have a set of disc brakes setting on the bench but I was in a hurry to get my ride back on the road. I'll get them on later.

tnts72 · Jul 20, 2015

Pretty decent looking

tnts72 · Jul 20, 2015

I will get a chance to check it out a little closer tomorrow hope its 30 spline and not 23 like the chart shows

draginmopars · Jul 20, 2015

as said, you can buy 35 spline spider gears

the 72 swinger started with a 88 ford van dana
with a true -trac install> street / strip use
narrowed to 51" with a 10" wheel, 4 1/2" backspace
yea, they got thick tubes, for a 3"od

the 70 custom (more door)
also has a dana that was under a van
was narrowed to 53" with 10"wheel, and 5" backspace
35 spline spool (track only)

I have bought yokes, u-joints, bearings, gears, from Dr. Diff (best price, fast shipping)

use moser for welding on the ends and buy axles
cause they are closer.
can drive up in the morning, have lunch,
housing is ready
after lunch
drive home

tnts72 · Jul 21, 2015

Wondering if I could squeeze it under the duster without narrowing, but I don't know what the pinion offset is Ford vs Mopar. 56" flange to flange puts a little less than 1.5" wider per side. Getting the necessary 1 3/16" offset may require some surgery - drivers side tube should be 1 3/8" longer if I am understanding this correctly. Could have the stock axles resplined and the flanges drilled for a 5 on 4.5, but if it does need cut down a set of new mosers aren't much more money vs reworking the old ones. Not sure what ends are on the housing now- whatever came on them in 67, have been told big ford ends are the way to go. You guys weld the tubes to the center section on the Danas? There is a local street rod shop that did my 12 bolt in my Malibu so it will either be going there or Moser.

jimjimjimmy · Jul 21, 2015

dana 60's are very easy to narrow i wouldent even bother trying to fit it in there just narrow it to the size you want . i have cut many of these and if i can do it anyone can .

tnts72 · Jul 21, 2015

Problem is I dont really know the size I need it to be... Original A body is 51.2" for an 8 3/4" and 53.2" for the 7 1/4", have not purchased wheels and tires yet - just the 14" american racing small bolt pattern ones that came on the car.

Plan is to put some Billet Specialties Street Lites on it - can get them in up to 5.5" backspacing.

15x8 rim with 255 / 275 radial or something like a 28" et street possibly. Not sure what common wheel and tire sizes run on these cars.

perfacar · Jul 21, 2015

hi, when I did my dana 60, I ran pipe through the dana then through the 8 3/4 empty pot. ran a long straight edge from flange of 8 3/4 back to dana, marked it, same with other side
this gave me correct width and pinion off set. measured 8 3/4 bearing ends , subtracted , and cut dana tube off. mine was stock width. did not add to either end. installed 8 3/4 backing plates and axles with green bearings. done deal.

crackedback · Jul 21, 2015

tnts72 said:
Problem is I dont really know the size I need it to be... Original A body is 51.2" for an 8 3/4" and 53.2" for the 7 1/4", have not purchased wheels and tires yet - just the 14" american racing small bolt pattern ones that came on the car.

Plan is to put some Billet Specialties Street Lites on it - can get them in up to 5.5" backspacing.

15x8 rim with 255 / 275 radial or something like a 28" et street possibly. Not sure what common wheel and tire sizes run on these cars.

You have some bad numbers.

8.75 A body housing is ~52 5/8" in factory form.

Get the wheels/tires you plan to run, put them in the wells and measure. No mistakes that way

6pkScamp · Jul 21, 2015

tnts72 said:
Problem is I dont really know the size I need it to be... Original A body is 51.2" for an 8 3/4" and 53.2" for the 7 1/4", have not purchased wheels and tires yet - just the 14" american racing small bolt pattern ones that came on the car.

Plan is to put some Billet Specialties Street Lites on it - can get them in up to 5.5" backspacing.

15x8 rim with 255 / 275 radial or something like a 28" et street possibly. Not sure what common wheel and tire sizes run on these cars.

Decide if your gonna do a mini tub and move the springs. Get the tires and rims you want to use and put them under the car and measure. Cut the Dana to fit your setup. I used 15x10 wheels with a 4 1/2 bs. 295 65 MT tires.

tnts72 · Jul 21, 2015

Just looking at the chart.

tnts72 · Jul 21, 2015

6pkScamp said:
Decide if your gonna do a mini tub and move the springs. Get the tires and rims you want to use and put them under the car and measure. Cut the Dana to fit your setup. I used 15x10 wheels with a 4 1/2 bs. 295 65 MT tires.

No plans to mini tub it, would just like to be able to fit a 275 tire. That possible under a stock wheel well Duster? Maybe trimming / rolling the fender lip, but no modifications to the inside portion of the tub.

6pkScamp · Jul 21, 2015

tnts72 said:
No plans to mini tub it, would just like to be able to fit a 275 tire. That possible under a stock wheel well Duster? Maybe trimming / rolling the fender lip, but no modifications to the inside portion of the tub.

Maybe some of the other members will be able to help with your choice. I was trying to get as much as possible with it the mini tub.

crackedback · Jul 21, 2015

tnts72 said:
Just looking at the chart.

It's WRONG from the day it was published.

I wish that POS could be burned at a stake on the internet. It's screwed up more rear housings than I care to remember.

tnts72 · Jul 21, 2015

crackedback said:
It's WRONG from the day it was published.

I wish that POS could be burned at a stake on the internet. It's screwed up more rear housings than I care to remember.

Good to know! Dana is now home so the build can proceed. Think I will try to find some 8" street lites so I can keep things fairly simple - no offset shackles / spring relocation or wheel tub work. Just need to follow your advice - get wheels / tires mock up what I want and have it done 1 time! Got some spare parts also 4.10 ring and pinion and two extra carriers my pops had laying in his garage under the bench. One happens to be a 35 spline powerlok and the other is just a carrier shell.

KickDown · Jul 25, 2015

6pkScamp said:
This was my first but I narrowed a truck 60 and bought the parts from Dr Diff. Thought I had a power loc for a 60 turned out to be a 70. Used the kit to do the narrowing, came out pretty nice. Ended using a Yukon Grizzly locker for the carrier.

That is a very professional looking undercarriage. Excellent Job.

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