Dana rear ends

[69dartswinger440]

Does anyone know how hard it is to cut the ends off a Dana from a truck and put it under an a body? I know I would need new axles and move the spring purches etc. But what about the backing plates and brakes?

Has anyone ever attempted this before? and if so with what kind of success?

Thanks Randy

[b569rr]

As for brakes, It is popular to put the late big Ford ends on them and run Ford Explorer brakes. The brake kit is only $375 at Summit or Ford Motorsports and an e-brake. I can get you picks if you want. The end requires the nice big Ford bearings also.

Tom

[69dartswinger440]

Thanks, Yea if you can get me some pics that would be great. Ill check out summitt, I suppose Jegs would have them as well?

[b569rr]

Thanks, Yea if you can get me some pics that would be great. Ill check out summitt, I suppose Jegs would have them as well?

Here you go.


Ford Explorer brakes. The e-brake is in the hat of the drum.


Ford Bearings. The axle seal is vulcanized on the perimeter of the bearing.

Late big Ford end. The flange spacing for the axles and these brakes is 2.5".

Tom

[Small Block]

So lets say someone wanted to stay with all mopar goodies. What set up would one use on the dana 60 truck rear?

[jamesdart]

i have a dana in both of my darts. one i had narrowed, the other i did myself. one has 10" drums the other 11" drums. they come off of just about any mopar.  there are kits out there that use factory parts and the mopar housing ends. a guy by the name of doctordiff or diffdoctor has a really nice kit. it uses a billet bracket, cobra calipers with the parking brake built in and a toyota rotor. its a good price for discs, i believe it comes in 11 3/4" and 13" and is also pretty light. comparable to willwood, but more of a street setup. if i go with rear discs that will be the setup, but the drums work well.

[69dartswinger440]

Thanks for the pictures. What about a dana from a dodge van? I remember when I was a kid my dad bought a van that had 1 ton suspension with regular bolt pattern wheels. Im pretty sure it was a dana, but cant remember.

Does this sound right or was it some other kind of rear end.?

If it was a dana it would already have all the factory drums etc. it would just need the axles shortened, or new ones?

Anybody got any ideas about this???

TX

[jamesdart]

i wouldnt count on that one but i guess you never know. you also have to watch out for vans, i think they have a lot of engine/driveline offset, be sure to measure the passenger side tube and make sure it is long enough for you, i think one of mine came from a van, but check it out first.

[mischiefdart]

I have only seen full floater axle dana's (8 lug nuts) in dodge trucks and vans. It could have been a 9 1/4 in the van your dad bought.

[69dartswinger440]

I suppose that would be better than the 7 1/4 thats under it now? I know it wont last long behind the 440.

[jamesdart]

you will have to put the same work into a 9 1/4 that you will if you go with a dana.

[Capt Jack]

speaking of Dana's...this is what Ive been looking at to replace the 8.25 in my ride....
http://www.strangeengineering.net/newprod/moparboltins.html

however Im hoping you folks might have some ideas of a less expensive place to purchase or at least be able to tell me what comparable costs are for having a truck rear cut down and fitted.

I like the thought of the explorer brakes on the back, so chances are good thats what Id be looking to do.  whats the ballpark cost for doing such a thing to a truck axle vs buying a bolt-in setup?

not looking for quotes, just an idea

[jamesdart]

i have 1300 into the one with the spool and 1500 into the other

[Capt Jack]

is that with or without brakes?

[BARRACUDABILLY]

HEY guy's here is my 2 cents worth, I bought a DANA 60 truck housing and I am still in the process of having it cut down
buy the ends, have the 4-link plates welded on shock mount plates welded, blasted and power coated, spool, axles, bearings, gears
ect, ect and so on. oh I forgot it has been at the shop being "set-up" for 7 weeks now. I will have right at 1500 in it and have spent
way too much time and effort (close to 16 weeks now!). In my opion the 1800 bucks for a strange S-60 is the way to go, I know it is a lot of cash but you will spend it in the long haul if you do it right and the trun around time will not be as long. again my humble 2 cents worth. save your money and make one phone call.

[Capt Jack]

my thinking (and fears on the 7 weeks) exactly.  not to mention hoping those doing the work know what they're doing.

isnt it amazing what two cents can be worth?   


thanks

CJ

[b569rr]

HEY guy's here is my 2 cents worth, I bought a DANA 60 truck housing and I am still in the process of having it cut down
buy the ends, have the 4-link plates welded on shock mount plates welded, blasted and power coated, spool, axles, bearings, gears
ect, ect and so on. oh I forgot it has been at the shop being "set-up" for 7 weeks now. I will have right at 1500 in it and have spent
way too much time and effort (close to 16 weeks now!). In my opion the 1800 bucks for a strange S-60 is the way to go, I know it is a lot of cash but you will spend it in the long haul if you do it right and the trun around time will not be as long. again my humble 2 cents worth. save your money and make one phone call.

I bought the S60. Note that their price doesn't include shipping. That cost me just under $200. Ended up being about $2150 with a Locker. Ouch.

Tom

[Capt Jack]

but youre relatively sure that its the last one you'll ever have to buy, yes?  I've heard pretty good things about the S60 and Strange Eng in general.

[BARRACUDABILLY]

My past experence with strange products has been good.
I bought my spool and axle package and installation kit, yoke ect
from strange for my 68 cuda project. The only thing I am not sure of is will
strange weld the four link plates on a S60 housing? If you are using
spring pearches no big deal, I know they do that.

[Capt Jack]

yeah, Im likely going with caltracs and the existing leafs, so that would work for me.

[duster453]

my 2 cents. don't waste your time with caltracks
i know people who went back to ss springs. or just back halfed there cars.
the guys are right on the money with just buying a rearend
moser sells nice stuff also.

[moparrr07]

http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com/Traction.html

a link provided by bigblockdart

[b569rr]

but youre relatively sure that its the last one you'll ever have to buy, yes?  I've heard pretty good things about the S60 and Strange Eng in general.

Yeah I know you can build the crap out of an 8.75" but I figured I spend a little more money and buy it once.

Tom

[deerbreeder]

Hey guys I just ordered A dana from DTS.I put ford ends on it and I'm going to put summits ford disk brakes on it(fms-m-2300-g).My question is what master cylinder do I use for disk brakes on all four wheels?Thank for all the info,Steve