Thoughts or Experiences on Strange Dana 60 ( S60 ) Axle?

[UdidntcAnything]

Is anyone running a Strange Dana 60? Apparently it is roughly 20 lbs heavier compared to a similar set up 9 inch? I was reading another forum and according to their experiences with the s60, it has proven to be pretty much bullet proof on the street and very reliable on the strip. I haven't seen too much about them on here though.

If you have one installed pictures would be nice.

[TheJDMan]

From my research the Dana 60s are big with the off road crowd where the extra weight is actually a benefit.

[UdidntcAnything]

From my research the Dana 60s are big with the off road crowd where the extra weight is actually a benefit.

Yes that is true. They also come on a lot of trucks. I'm referring more to Strange's Dana 60. It is lighter than the truck versions and is closer to the ford 9 inch. I was reading about people switching to the S60 in drag car applications. Don't quote me on this but I read that its efficiency washes out the extra 20lbs.

[Ron Sutton]

I like the Dana 60. We ran them in drag cars ... sometimes intentionally instead of a 9" Ford. They are very strong. The 9-3/4" gear & big bearings make it a stout rear end. We also liked the smaller pinion drop (1-1/8") ... which robs less power than the 2-1/4" pinion drop of 9" Fords. ... as long as you have enough teeth on the pinion meshing with the ring gear. Some ratios were prone to breaking pinion gears. The lower power loss was more important in drag racing. Not as important as handling in Pro-Touring, autocross & track days.

But the Dana 60 & S60 are HEAVY. When we're fighting to cut 1-2 pounds out of rear ends so the suspension will be more responsive ... 20 pounds is enormous.

In drag racing, the housing weight almost doesn't matter. Because all it does is squat to the ground once on launch. The car simply separates from rear end on launch. We don't have the same dynamics in autocross & road course stuff. The rear end needs to be light as possible ... for responsiveness. If the rear end weight makes the rear suspension slow to respond ... we end up with less grip ... because the suspension can't keep the tire contact patch connected to the track surface.

My suggestion is ...
* If you're drag racing or just street driving ... with no autocross or track days ... the S60 will be a good choice.
* If you're autocrossing or doing road course track days ... I'd stick with a 9" Ford.


:cheers:

[Tincup]

This is the Dana 60 I'm putting in my truck. I'm not sure what the weight difference is from a s60, or a 9", but this thing weighs a ton.

126400

[UdidntcAnything]

I like the Dana 60. We ran them in drag cars ... sometimes intentionally instead of a 9" Ford. They are very strong. The 9-3/4" gear & big bearings make it a stout rear end. We also liked the smaller pinion drop (1-1/8") ... which robs less power than the 2-1/4" pinion drop of 9" Fords. ... as long as you have enough teeth on the pinion meshing with the ring gear. Some ratios were prone to breaking pinion gears. The lower power loss was more important in drag racing. Not as important as handling in Pro-Touring, autocross & track days.

But the Dana 60 & S60 are HEAVY. When we're fighting to cut 1-2 pounds out of rear ends so the suspension will be more responsive ... 20 pounds is enormous.

In drag racing, the housing weight almost doesn't matter. Because all it does is squat to the ground once on launch. The car simply separates from rear end on launch. We don't have the same dynamics in autocross & road course stuff. The rear end needs to be light as possible ... for responsiveness. If the rear end weight makes the rear suspension slow to respond ... we end up with less grip ... because the suspension can't keep the tire contact patch connected to the track surface.

My suggestion is ...
* If you're drag racing or just street driving ... with no autocross or track days ... the S60 will be a good choice.
* If you're autocrossing or doing road course track days ... I'd stick with a 9" Ford.


:cheers:


Ok i get it. That also explains why it isn't talked about here much. For this application the additional weight isn't worth The additional strength. The 9" is pretty stout itself so for most applications the s60's is probably overkill anyway. Thank you.


This is the Dana 60 I'm putting in my truck. I'm not sure what the weight difference is from a s60, or a 9", but this thing weighs a ton.

126400

Yes it is definitely heavier if not using an aftermarket setup haha. Still a great rear end though.

[Ron Sutton]

I felt I should add one thing ... for anyone following along. For autocross & road course track days ... the center section components, R&P, bearings, etc ... are pretty beefy in 9" Fords & overkill in Dana 60's / S60's. For drag racing, the single "roller bearing" axles work fine up to 1000+ hp. But for autocross & road courses ... with the high side g-loads we're seeing today from high grip tires & suspensions ... is causing the stock style single roller bearings & axles to fail. So for autocross & road courses ... I suggest we upgrade to the floater style hubs, dual tapered roller bearings & non-flanged axles. You can do this on 9" Fords or Dana 60's. Frankly it can be done on any rear and. Ford 9" housings are just the most popular due to their optimum strength/weight balance.

Best wishes !