Rear axle

[Ceedawg]

Been thinking on the Dana rear axle that will be in my car (66 Belvedere Hemi 4 speed). It has 4.10s now but was going to 3.54. This will be a cruiser no racing and thinking that rear is still to high so I’m putting in the 8-3/4 with 2.94 gears. What do y’all think? Maybe 3.32s instead?
I’ll not be doing any 5000 rpm starts.

 

[Project66]

American Powertrain's Speed Analyzer might be useful for you to estimate your speed in gears.

I think 2.94 is good for cruising. I have been thinking of going to a 3.08 in my Corvette for the same reason. Right now, it has 3.73 gears which are not really necessary to get things moving with a big block under the hood.

 

[1KoolBee]

With 2.91’s, my 383 Bee would do 117 on the primaries. But sluggish off the line. 3.23s were stock, and she’d cruise at 75 all day long. 3.91s were for around town only. I got to where I could swap pumpkins in less than an hour.

 

[Darter6]

I think 2.94 is good for cruising.

I had these in my 64 472 Hemi Savoy. If you plan on mostly street I enjoyed them for 65/70 mph cruises.
My 65 I had 4.10's at first then went with 3.23. They too made a cruise of 60ish enjoyable.
4.10's I couldn't help myself from mashing the go pedal and annihilating the rear tires.

 

[R413]

I like 2.9 for a stock 440 with short tires.
I think the hemi and 4 speed may not like it. Use 3.23 instead.

 

[dadsbee]

I have 2:94's in the Bee. Cops sure hated me 79/80/81!

 

[Roadhog51]

If you run a TALL tire that also takes the low end torque out of it . With my little 383 engine, 4 speed and tall tires and a 323 gear it figured out to be around a 300 gear , GREAT for cruising but a bit doggy off the line. I put in a 354 and am really happy with it !!!

 

[eldubb440]

354 and tall tires

 

[Ceedawg]

I like 2.9 for a stock 440 with short tires.
I think the hemi and 4 speed may not like it. Use 3.23 instead.

Hemi has the 4.15 crank, .060 over, mild .525 cam 112 c/l. Stock 14” wheels no more than 26-27” tires.

 

[Ceedawg]

I had these in my 64 472 Hemi Savoy. If you plan on mostly street I enjoyed them for 65/70 mph cruises.
My 65 I had 4.10's at first then went with 3.23. They too made a cruise of 60ish enjoyable.
4.10's I couldn't help myself from mashing the go pedal and annihilating the rear tires.

Long ago my 64 Plym 4 speed 361 had 2.94 gears, 14-1600 rpm at 60, but had to feather it to take off. Put 3.23s in it later and it changed a little.

 

[Ceedawg]

Jacked up the 66 parts car earlier, axels are out and look good (no center section in it for years) had to laugh, driver side still had a slapper bar on it other side normal plate. Bought the body to get the cowl and never looked! I have a good selection of gears, 2.76, 2.94, 3.23, 3.55, 3.91, 4.10, 4.86. Two early posi units (like Dana). Stock d/s is 50.11 for Dana, I picked up a spare a few years back and it’s 51.5, thinking it was for a Coronet. Just need a conversion joint from 1330 to 7290 at the rear. I’m happy I thought of this.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

I have a Dana 60 in the Tukvan. Where is the ratio stamped?
I am not thinking of changing. My concern was carrying capacity.

 

[Darter6]

Dr. Diff makes 3.23 for the Dana 60

 

[Roadhog51]

I have a Dana 60 in the Tukvan. Where is the ratio stamped?
I am not thinking of changing. My concern was carrying capacity.

Stamped on a tag under one of the bolts.