Modify Dana 60 or buy aftermarket?

[33 IMP]

I’m definitely going to go aftermarket, seems like Strange is a unanimous choice. I don’t know much about details tho on rears. What’s the issue with green bearings? Leak or break or something?

"Green" bearings were the original replacement brand for ball bearing replacement for factory tapered bearings. Their durability was lacking. Current replacements are much better. And if converting to discs on the rear, I think the green style bearings are mandatory. The same style of bearings are used in all Ford 9".

 

[Mopar Hunter]

if converting to discs on the rear, I think the green style bearings are mandatory.

I was told this too.

 

[Vitamin_A12]

I think the green style bearings are mandatory. The same style of bearings are used in all Ford 9".

That is incorrect. As I mentioned earlier, if I were building an S60 with aftermarket disc brakes, especially for occasional road course use, I’d use the Ford 9” ‘late’ Torino style housing ends. It is the most commonly used housing end and will support multiple brand disc brake kits. It uses an A20 bearing assembly which is a tapered design bearing. It’s the ONLY bearing I would use if you’re going to run the car around a road course. All of that side load will chew up a set of ‘green’ bearings in short order!

 

[6PKRTSE]

That is incorrect. As I mentioned earlier, if I were building an S60 with aftermarket disc brakes, especially for occasional road course use, I’d use the Ford 9” ‘late’ Torino style housing ends. It is the most commonly used housing end and will support multiple brand disc brake kits. It uses an A20 bearing assembly which is a tapered design bearing. It’s the ONLY bearing I would use if you’re going to run the car around a road course. All of that side load will chew up a set of ‘green’ bearings in short order!

Yes, this is what I also did on the housing ends on mine. I fabricated it from the truck housing and used the Ford housing ends and bearings.

 

[33 IMP]

Have to use the big bearing Ford ends, otherwise the 35 spline axles won't fit.

 

[PsyOps]

FWIW, Currie doesn't do Dana's.

Maybe not any longer but I have one from them (I'm looking for the data sheet) for a '67 Charger using big Torino ends, Ford disk brakes and 35-spline Currie axles.

 

[Zach592]

What about sticking with my Dana 60 and just running the Hotchkis leaf springs, sway bar and shocks?

 

[Unkle Krusty]

I had thoughts of changing to a heavier rear end with floating axles. But after spending some time here, and a bit of research, I will stick with what I have. 318, 727, Dana 60.
But I do have new springs and Bitstein shocks. Added an extra leaf to the rear, to carry the extra weight.
With my bikes, I like big powerful brakes on the front, and been happy with drums on the rear.
All the newer bigger bikes now have discs on the rear.

 

[mmissile]

I have a good set of used Ford 3.33 gears for a Dana-60.

 

[Hemirunner]

I have a good set of used Ford 3.33 gears for a Dana-60.

I have a Ford Dana 60 that needs a set of gears.

 

[RemCharger]

I had thoughts of changing to a heavier rear end with floating axles. But after spending some time here, and a bit of research, I will stick with what I have. 318, 727, Dana 60.
But I do have new springs and Bitstein shocks. Added an extra leaf to the rear, to carry the extra weight.
With my bikes, I like big powerful brakes on the front, and been happy with drums on the rear.
All the newer bigger bikes now have discs on the rear.

You have the non floating Dana?? Trade ya

 

[33 IMP]

I didn't know such a thing existed! (Sure they aren't dana 61?)

 

[33 IMP]

What about sticking with my Dana 60 and just running the Hotchkis leaf springs, sway bar and shocks?

You could do that. Power steering, and front and rear sway bars, it'll handle fine, imo.

 

[33 IMP]

Maybe not any longer but I have one from them (I'm looking for the data sheet) for a '67 Charger using big Torino ends, Ford disk brakes and 35-spline Currie axles.

ai says they still work on an assortment of Dana's and 12 bolts, in addition to 9". Learn something new each day.
My friend that used to own his own rearend shop (passed away cancer got him) had some custom work done by currie (narrowing, mostly) but he consistently beat curries prices for stuff he could do by hundreds of dollars. And he worked on everything! (Did an 8 3/4 3.91 Detroit locker for me for his parts cost.The locker is now almost $1000. Set up my 9" with spool and used 5.14s for free. RIP, Mitch)

 

[RemCharger]

I didn't know such a thing existed! (Sure they aren't dana 61?)

As far as I know, there's Dodge cars, some vans and maybe old ford trucks?
This one was out of a van, we shortened to a 67 Charger. And, we will see, the 8 3/4 axle should slide right in.

 

[Vitamin_A12]

I have a good set of used Ford 3.33 gears for a Dana-60.

Those are from a Dana 61 and will not set up in a Dana 60 housing. The lowest numeric gear the
Dana 60 was engineered to run is a 3.54. Cass had a 3.21/3.23 ratio made but I don’t know if he has any left.

 

[Fury63]

We put a truck Dana in the friends pro street Cuda, Way Back in the 80’s. It must have been a D61 as it had 3.50 gears and a D60 Sure Grip wouldn’t fit. It still has the same gear set and there is no need for an OD trans.

 

[PsyOps]

We put a truck Dana in the friends pro street Cuda, Way Back in the 80’s. It must have been a D61 as it had 3.50 gears and a D60 Sure Grip wouldn’t fit. It still has the same gear set and there is no need for an OD trans.

So the D60 limited slip wouldn't fit in a D61 housing? Would that be the same for a D60 spool? What is the difference between the D60 & D61? Width of the carrier?

 

[33 IMP]

So the D60 limited slip wouldn't fit in a D61 housing? Would that be the same for a D60 spool? What is the difference between the D60 & D61? Width of the carrier?

Pinion location. Spool for a 60 won't work either.

 

[Vitamin_A12]

So the D60 limited slip wouldn't fit in a D61 housing? Would that be the same for a D60 spool? What is the difference between the D60 & D61? Width of the carrier?

Like 33 IMP said. The pinion offset in the D61 casting is different to accommodate a larger diameter pinion head.
Also, the ring gear landing on a D61 case is different than a standard D60 case. You can use some D60 cases in a D61 housing but it would require either a ‘thin’ gear set or a ring gear spacer in some combinations.
Unless you’re specifically looking to use a 3.07-3.33 ratio, it would be best to stick with a standard D60 as there are plenty of them out there. Hope this helps!