Ford 9" VS Dana 60 which one?

[carcrafter22]

Didnt see a spot anywhere else around here for this since this is for my project truck and not the duramax but I wanted opinions from you guys.

So I am ditching the IRS in my 67F100 for a solid axle, parrallel 4 link, etc. so I can get the thing to hook up at the strip and not worry about twisting half shafts.

Plan is to get the little diesel well over 500hp and yes that will be more than possible with some upgrades in progress.

I have been looking over rear axles (with my very limited internet out here) and have narrowed it down to a ford 9" or Dana 60 and if I get tired of looking around I know where I can get a 14 bolt but I dont really wanna run it due to size. The only advantage I can see is the 60 can be had with 35 spline axles and a posi whereas the 9" would have to have 31 spline axles to have a posi, I refuse to run a locker or spool in the 9" for bigger axles.

I have looked through countless threads on 9" vs 60 and everyone is split about 50-50 on which one is best, when I talk to places like moser or currie, they act like I am nuts and dont want to deal with me, seems a guy with a twin turbo diesel truck should just stick to towing heavy loads with a dana 80 or something.:bang

I know I am picky but I just know what I want in a driver and ratchety rear axle aint it.

This truck is 99% street driver and will see the strip 1 or 2 times a year with slicks or drag radials, havent chosen yet.

Truck weighs 4000 pounds with me in it, 2wd, 5 spd auto, lets say 550hp 4 cylinder diesel, 4 link rear suspension.

I am leaning towards the Dana 60 over the 9" just because of the bigger axles but I do like the serviceability of the drop out center 9"


One other stupid idea I had was to run the 9" with an ARB air locker and wire the locking switch to the throttle so at 1/2 or 3/4 throttle it engages. Dumb idea??? what do you think, this would give me nice smooth and quiet street driving but when I lay into it or manually flip the switch I would have lockup.

 

[duratothemax]

9" with nodular case...

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

9" There are a ton of nifty parts out there for them.

 

[05' Ditry Duramax]

9" without a doubt

 

[rdohara]

get the Super 14 bolt from Portal-Tek.com

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

If you're looking to do it for cheap, then it's hard to beat the DANA 60 in stock form even for holding power. The 9" is good as well, but will need some work to hold up.

 

[carcrafter22]

I don't mind spending whatever it costs to do it right the first time but if I spend over $2k on just the axle right now it will push the new turbo, custom supercharger pulley, 4 link etc. Back another month or 2. Righ now I can get all that done and still spend $2 k on the axle. From what I am seeing the 9" is gonna be about the same cost as the Dana if I build it myself which I don't mind, in fact I prefer it.

It seems the 9" is he favorite here. What do you guys think of running the arb air locker and 35 spline axles? Do the arb's work well? Reliable for everyday use? Are 35 splines overkill for my app?

I have talked to strange currie moser etc. and they all say the 31 spline 9" isn't gonna handle sticky tires (slicks at the strip) with a properly setup 4 link and the tq from my little motor. I would love to have a normal full time limited slip that was very street friendly but I don't see one for the 9".

 

[TIM Z]

We run 9'' nodular rears in our drag cars ( over 550 horse) They hold great, easy to change gears in too.

I suggest moser axles, but our drag car is 2100# and prob doesnt make as much torque as your truck will, but i bet the 9'' is the way to go.

 

[Blueox03]

Dude, I've read you build thread a few times now, freeking awesome!! I'm a nut for slicks but i've got some bumps too. Thank you for sharing all your work!:thumb:

David Morad used a strange 9" with four link in 18to1 (Dmax powered GNX clone) so I'm sure you could get away with one. Check out 18to1.com


If you decide to go big I've got a 10.5 AMA here I'll give you. I also have an 11.5 you could have, but it would need to be narrowed since it's from a dually. I've got two 67 frames here too if you want to start over....

 

[duratothemax]

that reg cab/short bed 2wd dmax from new hampshire that (sadly) burned up in a fire ran a 9" with some pretty hugeass tires and they didnt have any problems as far as I know.

ben

 

[duramax215]

9in. :thumb:

 

[JoshH]

I'm gonna have to go against the grain and suggest the Dana 60. Due to the extremely low pinion gear, the 9" will sap more power than the 60, and will require more work to hold up as well.

As far as your idea about the ARB locking with the throttle pedal, I would not recommend that. ARBs are supposed to be locked without a load on them. If you lock it while one tire is spinning, expect to hear a bang.

 

[bernman]

I'm gonna have to go against the grain and suggest the Dana 60. Due to the extremely low pinion gear, the 9" will sap more power than the 60, and will require more work to hold up as well.

dana 60 all the way, you said you were street driving... so no need to change gears every week, and with reguards to servicability every time my 9" started making a little noise i had to pull brakes , axles, center section......etc. with a 60 just pop a pan and see. and if you build a full floater.....if you ever snap an axle at the track she'll just roll to a stop, not wobble around tearin up your brakes

 

[carcrafter22]

Thanks blue, Josh that's something I was wondering about the arb I wasn't sure how it would work under acceleration. Can the arb lock when rolling down the road with no throttle?

From what I can see it's a toss up between the 2 axles it just depends on what u like personally I think. I would say it comes down to price but they are about the same really. Guess I'm gonna have to get used to flipping a switch for traction, I'm also thinking of having my wheels cut and widened to fit a really wide tire for the street.

 

[JOHNBOY]

Mike Wood's 9 second Dmax powered Mustang runs a 9 inch from DTS. Just a touch over 500 RWHP.

 

[carcrafter22]

Is that a typo or r u messing with me? 9 sec? 500 rwhp? Ur talking about the nx stang?

I typed my specs into a 1/4 mile calculator the other day and it said high 9's and I laughed at it I figured no way with only 550 hp in a 4000 pound tuck.

 

[TheBac]

BlueOx touched on it, so Ill ask....

Why not just find another 11.5aam and narrow it? Youd probably have to use a Dodge axle 'cause their tubes are 4" the whole length, not necked down like the GMs.

 

[carcrafter22]

BlueOx touched on it, so Ill ask....

Why not just find another 11.5aam and narrow it? Youd probably have to use a Dodge axle 'cause their tubes are 4" the whole length, not necked down like the GMs.

I have thougt about it but that's alot of axle for this app. The biggest thing hat threw me off was the gear availability, I would like to have a 3.27 but I could consider the 3.42's. Then again by the time I bought the axle, shortened it, bought gears and I stalled them then paid to shorten axles or get customs I could build a much lighter axle that would do the job well.

Anyone know what the 11.5 weighs? I have heard a 9" is around 200 pounds but can't confirm.

 

[Blueox03]

Mike Wood's 9 second Dmax powered Mustang runs a 9 inch from DTS. Just a touch over 500 RWHP.

30 some MPG to boot...

 

[Blueox03]

I have thougt about it but that's alot of axle for this app. The biggest thing hat threw me off was the gear availability, I would like to have a 3.27 but I could consider the 3.42's. Then again by the time I bought the axle, shortened it, bought gears and I stalled them then paid to shorten axles or get customs I could build a much lighter axle that would do the job well.

Anyone know what the 11.5 weighs? I have heard a 9" is around 200 pounds but can't confirm.

I can weigh one. If you really want to know I'll take one to the Cat scale next week. Like I said before, if you want one of these axles, you can have it.

I know a D60 can live behind a Duramax. I have one in my wife's truck in front of a Moonshine tuned LB7 and a SC4. It's not babied either.