• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

IN TODD'S HONOR DANA 60

T

Toddshonor

Member
Local time
4:33 AM
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
9
Location
New York
Hello everyone, am new to this group so let me explain myself. Had a good friend who had a 69 GTX since he was about 25 years old. Car was stored from house to house because he couldnt part with it. At age 54, he came in to some money and sent the GTX to South Carolina Le Hodge Restoration to have the car made into a beast of a drag car. He passed a couple of months later. My wife and I decided to take on the restoration (more stock than he wanted) in his honor.

So here is my question. Going with stock 440 and 4 speed. Le Hodge says car had 8 3/4 rear end in it. Should we buck up and buy a dana 60 that was original or stay with the 8 3/4? Not going to drag it (I don't think) mostly cruises and car nights. Don't want to devalue the car if it comes time for resale. Any thoughts?

Here is a photo of the restore so far
17348.jpeg
 
If the 8 3/4 is in good shape, and the right ratio, I’d stick with it. You can always change it later if you think you need to. What ratio and casting number is it? If it needs rebuilt or the ratio is to high (numerically) then it might be better to swap for a Dana.
Welcome to the forum, nice GTX.
 
This is what he set us. Gotta be honest, don't know a lot about these things. Just want to do the right thing for my friend
 
440 or 440HP
have you found the build sheet look under the rear seat , under the trunk mat
any plastic card in the dash? embossed plate anywhere
it will tell you what was stock, posi etc
 
That is a great looking car. If everything else is pretty much stock and you have the funds, I would find a Dana for it. Also if you have the build sheet or fender tag there will be a code saying what gear ratio it came with. A33 track pak = 3.54 or A34 super track pak = 4.10.
 
PRND21 said:
If the 8 3/4 is in good shape, and the right ratio, I’d stick with it. You can always change it later if you think you need to. What ratio and casting number is it? If it needs rebuilt or the ratio is to high (numerically) then it might be better to swap for a Dana.
Welcome to the forum, nice GTX.
Click to expand...
what ratio would be favorable? I posted a picture of the rear end serial number below. This is what Le Hodge sent me. Oh, forgot to mention. I am in Upstate New York and Hodges is in South Carolina so all communication is via text or phone.
 
With a 4 speed most people like a 3:23, 3:55, or 3:73 in a street cruiser. 4:10s, 4:56s get old pretty quick, unless that’s what you want. I’m just saying an 8 3/4 is plenty strong for street driving.
 
PRND21 said:
With a 4 speed most people like a 3:23, 3:55, or 3:73 in a street cruiser. 4:10s, 4:56s get old pretty quick, unless that’s what you want. I’m just saying an 8 3/4 is plenty strong for street driving.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Going to have Le pop it open and inspect it to make sure it is good
 
Hi and welcome to the forum!

The "real" value of this car is as an honor and memory of your friend. Having said that, you are making a street car with a stock 440 and 4 speed. With the fender tag and build sheet gone, you really won't hurt the value too much, so I would worry more about what you want, what you think Todd would want, and what you have funds for. Buying a Dana axle is going to cost you approx. $3000. A 8 3/4 will be considerably cheaper, and will easily handle the power the stock 440 will make. It is also a bit lighter too. Having said that, a Dana is basically bulletproof and is a great rear.

So my advice is to basically consider cost. If money is available, then a Dana. If funds are limited, you might want to spend those extra funds elsewhere.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Hawk
 
hsorman said:
Hi and welcome to the forum!

The "real" value of this car is as an honor and memory of your friend. Having said that, you are making a street car with a stock 440 and 4 speed. With the fender tag and build sheet gone, you really won't hurt the value too much, so I would worry more about what you want, what you think Todd would want, and what you have funds for. Buying a Dana axle is going to cost you approx. $3000. A 8 3/4 will be considerably cheaper, and will easily handle the power the stock 440 will make. It is also a bit lighter too. Having said that, a Dana is basically bulletproof and is a great rear.

So my advice is to basically consider cost. If money is available, then a Dana. If funds are limited, you might want to spend those extra funds elsewhere.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Hawk
Click to expand...
Thank you Hawk! That is an awesome heartfelt response!
 
Thank you everybody for your responses. After a lot of thought, we decided to opt for the dana 60. Felt that it was what Todd would have chosen and what the car needed. Le Hodge ordered it today from Moser Engineering. Want to keep everybody updated on the progress, but not sure which thread I should post this on. Thank you again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

chevyguylost
Dana 60
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
Cranky
Cranky
Mackman
Dana 60 to 8 3/4 swap
Replies
7
Views
1K
Mackman
Mackman
SpicerSixty
1966 DANA 60 Axle Tube ID Markings HELP
Replies
6
Views
481
440 4 speed
440 4 speed
O
Dana 60 Outer Bearing Races "Cracked"
2
Replies
20
Views
830
451Mopar
451Mopar
1
FOR SALE Dana 60 brake assembly
Replies
0
Views
429
19 69 GTX
1
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top