8 3/4 Chrysler pro gears?

[John Dinkel]

On a previous post I stated that Strange offers REM finishes gears. It is really US Gear .

[Maxie fury 64]

Larry how is the Dana faster? Does the fact they roll easier make up for the added weight of the Dana? Not arguing, your car is very fast, just like to get your opinion. We're running the same combo you are in a 71 challenger.

[Larry Hill]

I backed to back them at Indy one year between first and second qualifying.

By the time you put good tubes and a back brace on, and relocate the shocks so they don't hit brace the weight difference is not as much as you might think. The last 8 3/4 I broke all was lost: broke every tooth on ring and pinion, spit the thrust side adjuster out after it broke the cap and bent the spool.

[Rory McNeil]

Gotta agree with Mr. Hill. I think a lot of the reputation of a Dana 60 comes from when a stock Sure Grip limited slip unit is used. (about 40 lbs). On my bracket Fairmont, the first diff was a Ford 9", using a shortened OE Ford housing, a factory Nodular iron case, 33 spline spool and axles. It worked fine with the automatic, but when I switched to the Jerico 4 speed, I figured therearend would be marginal as it was. While pricing out a new braced housing, aftermarket case , bigger axles and spool, a buddy suggested selling the 9" and building a Dana 60. Turned out to be a good move.
My Dana used a 3/4 ton Ford truck housing which has thick axle tubes, 35 spline Strange spool and axles, and a T/A girdle cover. Using the same brakes as the 9" had, the finished Dana weighed a mere 6 pounds more than my 9" did. But keep in mind, if we would have added a brace to my existing 9" housing, installed 35 spline spool & axles, and an iron Strange case, I doubt the 9" would have been any lighter at all. Yes, I am aware that aluminum 9" cases are available, which would shed some weight, but then a car Dana with thinner tubes could have been used as well. I have been using that Dana behind the 4 speed for 17 years now, never dropping the clutch below 6000 RPM, and the only time the cover has been off was for ratio changes, and all 3 gear sets still look like new. I only see 2 downsides to the Dana, selection of ratios not as wide as a 9", most ratio changes will change the trap RPM by 250-300 RPM, a 9" has much more variety and will allow for much closer RPM change. Also setting up a 9" on the bench is easier than doing it under the car, or removing the whole rearend. If you have the money and space, you can have multiple 9" chucks set up ready to go. My Dana cost a fair bit less than my 9" did, in fact, selling my old 9" almost covered the cost of the new Dana.
I know several MoPar racers that spent a lot of money, and broke a lot of pieces with their 8 3/4s, most went the Dana route and have been really happy with the swap. You can always find somebody to buy your good used 8 3/4 stuff, but once its broken, its just scrap metal.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Maxie fury 64

Larry how is the Dana faster? Does the fact they roll easier make up for the added weight of the Dana? Not arguing, your car is very fast, just like to get your opinion. We're running the same combo you are in a 71 challenger.

Not only the Dana 60 is stronger, but due to the pinion placement, it is more efficient to turn and requires less power when compared to the GM 12 Bolt.

[SSDiv6]

...and by the way...there is a drop out Dana 60 assembly available too!

http://www.jratoffroad.com/products/...od&productId=2

[jimi]

Originally Posted by larry hill

go dana 60 and forget about the 8.75. The dana is faster. I have used mine since 1991 and change oil in it every two years, same pro gear all of these years. Going on 26 years of worry free service, cheapest thing i ever bought for the race car

x2

[jimi]

In 1988 I Decided to install a Dana 60 in my 62 dodge. I was running 11.80's @ 3700# was tired of worrying if this was my last pass on a 8 3/4 gear set, my luck it would have broke in the final at a national event. Any way I built a real 66 Dana 60 housing strange axles and spool Richmond 4:88 gears etc. never broke another part in that car. That rear differential in now in my 64 Plymouth AA/SA with a new gear set and bearings just because!
When I installed the Dana in my 62 dodge in 1988 I did it at the track (englishtown) made my first pass with the 8 3/4 , installed the Dana and drive shaft made another pass the car went .012 quicker !! My Dana was about 22# over all heavier then the 8 3/4.
I would never suggest using an 8 3/4 over a Dana 60.

FYI at the allstars race 2 weeks ago my uncle broke his 8 3/4 in his c/sa barracuda and destroyed his transmission case in the process. It is a pro trans with the band modifications etc. the case alone is 1/3 the cost of setting up a Dana 60. His car will be getting a Dana 60 this year as well.

[older racer]

hi, not to highjack this. dana came in four case sizes. the 67 to 72 ford 1/2 ton pickup is the lightest, followed by mopar case fpr B and E body cars, then 3/4 ton pickups, followed by 1 ton pickups. I changed from 8 3/4 to dana 60 years ago, I weighed both, both had spools, there was only 32 # more, with dana, the car ran exactly the same ET and MPH . the ford , has 3 " tubes, never twisted them. I used the ford case.

[sskwb]

What about the s60 version from Strange? Are they legal in stock, as strong and reliable as an old school Dana?

kurt