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Firebirdjones · 11-24-2011, 04:21 PM

If the rear differential you grabbed out of a 78 chev has a 14 bolt cover, than that's the GM manufactured 14 bolt that started production in 73, used in 3/4 ton and 1 ton applications.
Full floating axles, 10.5" ring gear, and a large 1.75 pinion diameter. Tough rearend, according to Randy's Ring & Pinion, you can run up to a 44" tire on this rearend without fear of breaking. It has a a continuous 6,300 ft lbs. output torque rating.

If you found a Dana 60, the cover is shaped close to the same as the 14 bolt GM but the cover would have 10 bolts. The ring gear diameter is a smaller 9.25", pinion is smaller at 1.625", and it only has a 6,000 ft lbs. torque rating and that's for a short duration,,,not continuous. That's also for the HD version of the Dana 60. The standard Dana 60 has a 5,500 ft lbs. torque rating which is again,,,,short duration, not continuous.

Stock for stock, the GM 14 bolt is a much stronger unit.

11-24-2011, 04:21 PM	#5
Firebirdjones Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Prescott, Arizona Posts: 2,396	Re: What axles and tcase should I go with? If the rear differential you grabbed out of a 78 chev has a 14 bolt cover, than that's the GM manufactured 14 bolt that started production in 73, used in 3/4 ton and 1 ton applications. Full floating axles, 10.5" ring gear, and a large 1.75 pinion diameter. Tough rearend, according to Randy's Ring & Pinion, you can run up to a 44" tire on this rearend without fear of breaking. It has a a continuous 6,300 ft lbs. output torque rating. If you found a Dana 60, the cover is shaped close to the same as the 14 bolt GM but the cover would have 10 bolts. The ring gear diameter is a smaller 9.25", pinion is smaller at 1.625", and it only has a 6,000 ft lbs. torque rating and that's for a short duration,,,not continuous. That's also for the HD version of the Dana 60. The standard Dana 60 has a 5,500 ft lbs. torque rating which is again,,,,short duration, not continuous. Stock for stock, the GM 14 bolt is a much stronger unit.