Need a new rear end

[69clone]

Hi guys, life got in the way haven't been around for a little while, but I'm back now. lol :headbang: I've had this 440 sitting around for 3 years now and finally have a big garage where we can dump this bad boy in my satellite without having to rush. I just gotta gather the last few remaining items which is why I made this post.
My 440 made 626/640 on the dyno. Obviously the 8 1/4 behind the 318 has to go! I would really like a Dana 60 but I'm not going to find one except at a swap meet or something. So it looks like I have 3 options: I bit the bullet and order a brand new Dana 60 from Strange or a similar company for 2500+, buy a cheap truck dana 60 from the junk yard or such have a machine shop shorten it and do everything to make it work, or build one of these 8 3/4's I have laying around and hope it holds! (least likely so I'll probably sell them to fund the dana). I know with a new Dana I shouldn't have to worry about breaking it...ever, I would think building a truck Dana would be the same way as long as I do it right?

 

[Seventy]

really just a cost issue, there are B-body dana's around, they are not impossible to find, although in good used shape, unrestored you are going to be in the $1500-$2000 range. A new moser, strange, etc is going to be about 50% more than that PLUS, you are going to need the brakes, and everything else that comes along with a swap like that.
Building an 8 3/4 would be about the best option when it comes to price and with under 650 horse, I wouldn't worry much unless you plan on doing a lot of neutral drops or reverse roll outs, I know guys that drag race with built 8 3/4s with no issues..

Still not going to be super cheap, just gears, axle, and posi is going to get you in 4 digits...

 

[Richard Cranium]

Need a new rear end

Might I suggest..............

 

[Daves69]

Might I suggest..............

Lol, the question then becomes....................... can you deliver??

 

[69clone]

Oh lawd! Lol

 

[Cranky]

On whether or not the 8 3/4 lasts depends on what the car weighs and how much traction you have. Street car, drag car? Some make them last with heavy cars and some don't. A friend and I were running a 4 speed roadrunner together and were leaving the line at 6k. The car was around 3400 at the time and the 8 3/4 was shaving teeth off the ring gear. After that happened 3 times, a Dana went in. The car was running low 11's at that point.

 

[petieg383]

Might I suggest..............

Is that a new Dana 69 rear??

You didn't say what transmission you're thinking of running, or what type of driving you're doing. If you're just cruising and running an auto, then you can probably get away with an 8.75 with good internals.

 

[moparstuart]

Might I suggest..............

that right there is a dana Suregrip

 

[69clone]

Sorry. The car is probably in that 3400lb area. I'm running a 727 reverse vb. no trans break or anything like that. Mainly a weekend cruiser about 35% of it will be at the track..with slicks. Stock suspension right now. Possibly cal trac's down the road.

I'm doing some research on turning a truck dana into a car dana 60. Seems like once the axles are shortened it and switched to non floating there isn't much else to it.