Bolt Ons Don't

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abbey castro

Royal Smart Person
Oct 31, 2015
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Harker Hts TX
I finally got my S60 (Dana) "Ready to Bolt In" rear end. It is equipped with the ends to install my Camaro Rear disk backing plates. Well, the Camaro backing plate hole is too small and doesn't let the axle go into the housing at all. I've been grinding for the last couple of days making the hole bigger. Got one side ground enough for the axle bearing to go thru it and allow the axle retaining plate to bolt up to the housing. Once I did that, it fits perfectly.

I had to space out lower shock mount with a "T" shaped bracket purchased online on the 10 bolt cause the caliper sticks in too much. The S60 trailing arm bracket is shaped different from the 10 bolt , so I'll have to make my own bracket once the S60 is bolted in place. The bracket has multiple holes to adjust the lower control arm angle.

Otherwise, it's a bolt in with some modifications on small stuff. It is a great looking piece of pig iron, very well made!

Pics to follow tomorrow.
 
Got started test fitting my parts. The new brake lines are in place to measure and cut to connect to the caliper braided lines. Camaro system is fully installed on drv side, next step is to fit the pax side. Then remove everything and attach rear end to the already attached trailing arms. Reinstall everything. let the car down and get driveshaft length measurement for shortening it. Then removing everything, pain everything and reinstall. Lots of stuff yet to do! There are lots of parts on these things.
 

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Where in the order of things (strength) does the Dana rate? I remember seeing a chart once upon a time in one of the magazines listing the popular 'go to' rears for performance. Was the Dana @ the top of the charts?
 
STRONG! My car isn't a 500+ HP car (Not even close). Lots of drag racers use Strange products. They are more expensive than the Ford 9in. The Strange Engineering S60 is designed after the DANA 60. It is not made by DANA but by Strange Engineering. Every part to include the center casting is custom made by them except that it takes many types/brands of posi units and axle shaft spline count. I got 30 spline with Eaton (Detroit Locker) helical gear posi and 3.73 gears. I sold my original 7.5 with 3.73 Posi and TA Aluminm cover.
 
That's a Dana 60 - 9.75" ring gear. Used in 3/4 ton pickups since forever. Does the Strange unit use captured bearings rather than C-clips? If so, you'll keep the wheel attached even if you manage to shear an axle shaft.
 
Well.... I guess what I meant was as a package. I knew the Dana 60 was tough.

I remember reading articles discussing strength & resistance @ the gears (one type differential requiring more power to get things moving). I wasn't sure if the Strange S60 changed things up & were the new GEN strongest & least power sapping unit or what. I've seen ads promoting them & have been wondering. I know on the pro-touring sites there are many guys complaining about the Ford 9" set-ups being 'loud' because the new gears aren't as good as the originals (& original gears are getting harder to find). Just curious if these were a better option as being strong w/o the notorious 9" gear whine.
 
That's a Dana 60 - 9.75" ring gear. Used in 3/4 ton pickups since forever. Does the Strange unit use captured bearings rather than C-clips? If so, you'll keep the wheel attached even if you manage to shear an axle shaft.
Axles are retained by a "U" shaped bracket that holds in the pressed in bearing at the drum. There is no C Clip and the rear cover isn't removed to pull the axles (YEH)
 
Stronger than a 9” until you have $thousands of extra money in the 9”.

Looks like it fits like lost all ‘bolt in’ swaps hehe. Congrats on a nice upgrade!!
 
The D60 is also equally if not more efficient than the ford because it is more like an ideal bevel gear and less like a worm gear.

Only thing that sucks on a D60 is slightly less aftermarket support, sightly more parts cost, and you need a case spreader to set the preload on the taper roller carrier bearings.

Bolt on just means 'we intend for it to be installed in that product'
 
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