DANA 60 Conversion from a 8 3/4 ???

[BORDERBUM]

Quote:
Typical drag racer will cut a 3/4 ton truck Dana 60 and add 8-3/4 pieces to it for less than $1000.



If so what does it require and can I use the parts from the 8 1/4 rear end instead of the 8 3/4 rear end?

Does anyone have pics of this process of know anyone that has done this/??  I need to know what I will need, and one of my Chargers has a 8 1/4 rear end I think,(it is a 69 originally a 318 SE car) and I am looking to see if I can use the parts off of it instead of the 8 3/4 rear end??  Thank you for any information!!  Remy

[John_Kunkel]

The 8 1/4" has C clip axle retainers, since the Dana 60 has no provisions for retaining the C clip it's impractical to use those parts on a Dana.

[jackel440]

I think the latest issue of Mopar Muscle just had an article on doing this exact deal.they use a set of arbors that bolt into the bearing race for the differential ,and then run a shaft of steel through the arbors and out the end of one axle tube and use another arbor that fits into the new axle ends and use it to align the end and then weld it.then go do the other side.My buddy is machining a set of arbors so we can do the same thing.ALso going to make them for a few different axle sizes.then we will get a 1" or 1 1/4"solid shaft to run through the arbors.

[GTX]

I seem to remember LONG ago someone doing it and posting the cost etc....
Maybe on the old site? Nah, can't be that long ago could it?


I'm buying a Dana 60 truck axle and plan to change it out.........someday.
Yet another project.

[Chryco Psycho]

Ihave done a # of them , you need the housing ends from a 8 3/4 , Strange & Mark Williams have new ends available , any brake backing plates will bolt on the ends But generallty the aftermarket ends require the use of the green axle brgs

[BORDERBUM]

Ihave done a # of them , you need the housing ends from a 8 3/4 , Strange & Mark Williams have new ends available , any brake backing plates will bolt on the ends But generallty the aftermarket ends require the use of the green axle brgs

SO let me get this straight......if I get the ends from Moroso or Strange (any part numbers?) I wont need the 8 3/4 parts?  I know Ill need the measurements, but I can get them off of my other 69 Charger.  While Im at it. 

What spline count is what everyone wants??  30 or more??

Car will be used for 3-4 trips to the track a year, and lots of hauling rear fun... SOrt of like my fun car while I restore my other 69 to show quality.   THanks for the info!! Remy

[firefighter3931]

BB, i would use the aftermarket ends like Chryco suggested and keep the 83/4 housing intact. You might want to sell it to offset some of the costs. Strange also sells a nice 35 spline street/strip axle....that is what i went with in mine. The green bearings are fine as well.

On a Dana housing, the driver side axle tube needs to be 13/8in longer to maintain the proper pinion offset. 


Ron

[BORDERBUM]

Firefighter3931, thanks for the great info, Im still  learning on this stuff so thanks for the patience....this thread will get longer as I get all this stuff taken care of.

Im looking at a 79 open f@rd diff, with 4:10s Ill go with a limited slip 35 spline unit, got a couple questions though.

1.  I should be able to use the same gears in the open diff with the limited  slip unit Im putting in shouldnt I?

2.  Part numbers for those Moroso or other brand ends?  I checked thier web site, nothing I could find(sorry limited     knowledge )

3.  If anyone has done this and got those strange axels etc,...if I could bother you on what exactly I need to get, that would help tremendously, part numbers or what I need to do for the ordering of the axels(I know there are procedures I think for this)  Going in a 69 Charger.

4.  dumb question, but it doesnt matter on the gears what spline count the truck has if I change it with the limited slip and new axels right?   

Ill have more questions, but I can pick this rear end up for $125 and the 35 spline limited slip from somewhere else for cheap if I act fast.

[firefighter3931]

Ill have more questions, but I can pick this rear end up for $125 and the 35 spline limited slip from somewhere else for cheap if I act fast.

BB grab both the rear end and SG unit !  The ring and pinion should work as long as they're compatible with the Suregrip unit. Ask if the SG unit is a series 3 carrier for 3.54-4.10 gear ratios....if so get it.

All your parts needs can be taken care of with Dr.Diff....excellent guy to deal with and great pricing. It's a one stop shop deal. 

His webpage : http://members.aol.com/doctordiff

His e-mail : doctordiff@centurytel.net



Ron

[BORDERBUM]

Ill have more questions, but I can pick this rear end up for $125 and the 35 spline limited slip from somewhere else for cheap if I act fast.

BB grab both the rear end and SG unit !  . Ask if the SG unit is a series 3 carrier for 3.54-4.10 gear ratios....if so get it.




Ron

When it says 4:10 and down this is what you are saying is good right/?  IF so that is it. 

[firefighter3931]

When it says 4:10 and down this is what you are saying is good right/?  IF so that is it. 

Yes, that is correct....4.10 to 3.54 is a series 3 carrier. If that is what you're looking at then grab it. 


Ron