Dana 60 vs. Ford 9"
- Thread starter TexasTJ
- Start date
V-DAWG
someday
- Location
- Taylorsville
Full float Dana 60 you could change the axle without even pulling a tire.
Milner
formerly "rckcrlr"
- Location
- Hiding behind a camera
Personal preference
I like Ford 9" but, if I had it to do over, I'd probably do a 60. Just really depends on where you are going.
9" pinion is lower, but shorter. 60 is cheaper to convert to 35 spline...sort of.
To do 35 spline right in a 9" it requires a new aftermarket dropin. 35 full float in a 60 requires spindle mods. But, on a 60 you can hack off the spindles add pockets and make it a semi float 35 spline with a locker of choice and axles.
35 spline shafts are about $400 for either semi-float. The drop in for a ( adds $350-400 plus the locker. The 60 would cost pockets and labor to put them on, and the locker. Or the spindle mod labor....
So really one is not allot cheaper than the other.
High pininion....60 is probably easier, but the Tru-Hi 9 is an excellent option!
Why did I use a 9"....I had it, they are easy to find, all bolt in stuff to convert to 35 spline. And mostly I like the 3rd pinion bearing. It stops the pinion from wanting to climb the ring gear....
But the way I see it, if your going to break one, you'll break the other.
Get wich ever you have easier access to....If you are ordering from a catalog, 60 is probably easier....
JMHO
Marc
I like Ford 9" but, if I had it to do over, I'd probably do a 60. Just really depends on where you are going.
9" pinion is lower, but shorter. 60 is cheaper to convert to 35 spline...sort of.
To do 35 spline right in a 9" it requires a new aftermarket dropin. 35 full float in a 60 requires spindle mods. But, on a 60 you can hack off the spindles add pockets and make it a semi float 35 spline with a locker of choice and axles.
35 spline shafts are about $400 for either semi-float. The drop in for a ( adds $350-400 plus the locker. The 60 would cost pockets and labor to put them on, and the locker. Or the spindle mod labor....
So really one is not allot cheaper than the other.
High pininion....60 is probably easier, but the Tru-Hi 9 is an excellent option!
Why did I use a 9"....I had it, they are easy to find, all bolt in stuff to convert to 35 spline. And mostly I like the 3rd pinion bearing. It stops the pinion from wanting to climb the ring gear....
But the way I see it, if your going to break one, you'll break the other.
Get wich ever you have easier access to....If you are ordering from a catalog, 60 is probably easier....
JMHO
Marc
cuban b
You're all WEAK SAUCE!
- Location
- pleasant grove, UT
The nine inch is highly buildable and light. You can't go wrong with a dana 60, but if weight is an issue, take the nine inch.
Just as a side note, most full float dana 60's have 1.31 inch shafts which is the same size as a dana 44. So if your looking at stock type junkyard axles, the strength difference between the two might be negligible.
Just as a side note, most full float dana 60's have 1.31 inch shafts which is the same size as a dana 44. So if your looking at stock type junkyard axles, the strength difference between the two might be negligible.