Dana 60 questions
 

I am going to look at a donor truck this weekend. It is a 68 C20 with a Dana 60 in it. I have a 66 C20 with an Eaton in it. I am looking to make my truck run better on the highway. It is my understanding that the Dana 60s had 3.54:1 ratios. I think this would work well I think.

Questions:
1. I assume that because it is a Dana 60 I could change the ratio fairly easily? Meaning many options as compared to the Eaton.

2. What is the width difference between my Eaton and the Dana?

3. Did they come from the factory with any other ratios in this year?

4. If it is a coil sprung rear, will it bolt right into my coil sprung rear?

5. Will I need to alter my driveline?

Thanks!

Re: Dana 60 questions
 

I have a 64 gmc with a dana 60 in it. It had 4.10-1 when I got the truck, I had 3.53-1 [ about $100 cheaper than 354's].The truck is way more driveable now, it has a 350/sm420 in it.

Re: Dana 60 questions
 

Not all the Dana 60's had 3.54 gears. They were also available with 3.73's and 4.10's. I have a Dana 60 out of a '71 with a big block and an auto trans, and it has the 3.54 gears.

It's been a while since I measured the Dana 60 and compared it to the Eaton HO52/72, but it seems like it was very close if not the same. I just neglected to write down the measurement on the Dana 60.

The Dana 60 will be a direct bolt in into your '66 C20. I do not know if you will have to shorten or lengthen your driveline or not, as I have not got that far with mine. You will need the panhard bar from the '68 though.

Re: Dana 60 questions
 

Great info! Thanks!

Am I correct in thinking that I would have more options for changing the ratios with the Dana versus the Eaton?

Re: Dana 60 questions
 

The dana is also bullet proof.Ran one in my drag car for years,lots of racer's run them.!!

Re: Dana 60 questions
 

Yes there is tons of aftermarket support for the Dana 60 and virtually none for the Eaton HO52/72. The Dana 60 was used by all 3 major auto makers, so there are a lot of good used original parts available as well.

Re: Dana 60 questions
 

Thanks guys! I feel better about this donor truck now.

Re: Dana 60 questions
 

I have a 65 C20 and also want to swap out the Eaton, so I'm looking for a easy replacement. Is the Dana 60 in the 67-72's also full floating like my Eaton is?

Re: Dana 60 questions
 

Yes