Modify Dana 60 or buy aftermarket?

[Zach592]

So I have a Dana 60 that came in my 69 charger, I know that’s worth some money for those who are restoring. I’m doing a restomod so if I were to use this rear I need to build it to handle around 600hp, mounts for a RMS 4 link and convert to disc brakes. What makes more sense financially? Spend the money for all that or sell this rear and use that money towards a ready to drop in aftermarket from somebody like Moser or Currie or whoever has a nice setup?

 

[ruffcut]

Stock suspension and the Dana 60 is capable of handling 600 HP. My Roadrunner is 600 HP on leaf springs and an 8 3/4 rearend. JMTC

 

[33 IMP]

DONT cut up a collector Dana! Besides, it's only a 23 spline. Somebody will pay good money for it!
Then you can either go custom width Dana from Dr Diff/Strange, or a 9" Ford, with the width you want, the gear ratio you want, the limited slip you want, the brakes you want.
With the Ford you can have 31, 33, 35, 40, 44 splines, Dana's will probably be 35.
For what you wanna do, I'd recommend a fabbed housing 9". But to handle 600 hp, the Dana will be cheaper. If your willing to do the work, a truck Dana would work fine, cause you're gonna narrow it, and buy axles and ends anyway.

 

[493 Mike]

I agree with Ruffcut but, Strange makes a nice, lighter 60.
Mike

 

[mmissile]

I'd buy from Strange...and do.

 

[WileE]

DONT cut up a collector Dana! Besides, it's only a 23 spline. Somebody will pay good money for it!
Then you can either go custom width Dana from Dr Diff/Strange, or a 9" Ford, with the width you want, the gear ratio you want, the limited slip you want, the brakes you want.
With the Ford you can have 31, 33, 35, 40, 44 splines, Dana's will probably be 35.
For what you wanna do, I'd recommend a fabbed housing 9". But to handle 600 hp, the Dana will be cheaper. If your willing to do the work, a truck Dana would work fine, cause you're gonna narrow it, and buy axles and ends anyway.

This. Your Dana will handle the HP, but since you're going the resto-mod route, this is a very good ^ recommendation.

 

[Zach592]

Everyone seems to agree that a strange is the way to go. I would rather someone use this Dana for a restoration also, keep my conscience clean .

 

[WileE]

Everyone seems to agree that a strange is the way to go. I would rather someone use this Dana for a restoration also, keep my conscience clean .

" Atsa good, to keepa you conscience a clear, my son."

 

[gkent]

Strange makes a nice, lighter 60

Yeah .... I don't think their's are that much lighter that its worth mentioning !!!

I bought a stock Dana a few years back with the intent to narrow it up a tad. But when I crunched the numbers and looked at the work that was going to be involved I figured I was better off buying a new unit built to my specs. Being in Canada I bought mine from "Bear's Performance" who are a Strange dealer. Unlike Dr Diff who is just a middle man, Bear's build the unit in house. I got a brand new unit with better axles, an Eaton Tru-trac, spring perches where I needed them, longer wheel studs, upgraded pinion yoke, S60 cover, etc. for $1000 more than I got for the stock unit. Couldn't be happier !!

FWIW, Currie doesn't do Dana's.

 

[33 IMP]

Yeah .... I don't think their's are that much lighter that its worth mentioning !!!

I bought a stock Dana a few years back with the intent to narrow it up a tad. But when I crunched the numbers and looked at the work that was going to be involved I figured I was better off buying a new unit built to my specs. Being in Canada I bought mine from "Bear's Performance" who are a Strange dealer. Unlike Dr Diff who is just a middle man, Bear's build the unit in house. I got a brand new unit with better axles, an Eaton Tru-trac, spring perches where I needed them, longer wheel studs, upgraded pinion yoke, S60 cover, etc. for $1000 more than I got for the stock unit. Couldn't be happier !!

FWIW, Currie doesn't do Dana's.

Well, Strange 60s are lighter than the truck version, lol! And I believe currie does ONLY 9" and 12 bolt..... and I'm not sure about the 12.

 

[Zach592]

You can’t build one on Strange’s site but you can on redbird speed, idk if they have a markup or not but just for a rough number they were $4,400 with wilwoods. Even if that is a little higher number that seems like a good financial move since it’s brand new and sell my Dana to fund it. I hate being poor and liking Mopars

 

[70Hemi-RR]

$5013.00 delivered to my door from strange.

 

[70chall440]

Is this going to be a drag car? If not then I would go with an 8.75 that I can change gear sets in under and hour. Don't let all of the haters convince you that its not strong enough, they have been used by drag racers for decades as well as road racers and dirt track guys. An 8.75 will take 600 HP unless you are running sticky slicks and dumping a clutch at 6K or more.

Your car your money but I like versatility and options and while the S60 or any Dana are robust they do not allow for easy or quick gear changes. To that end I would like to try a Winters rear end sometime.

 

[Arlo Price]

I have a 70 B body dana w/4:10 gears that came out from under a 69 camaro drag car. It has already had major mods done to it. It is no longer of any use to to me. PM me & lem'me if know you're interested.....

 

[Unkle Krusty]

So some of you guys think the Dana 60 in the back of my van will last a while. I mean we may be up to 220 hp with the mighty 318.