Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Green Machine** · 05-13-2008, 06:30 PM

Am I correct in assuming that for 71-72, in a C20 LWB truck, if you had a big block, they came with a Dana 60 rear and/or were leaf spring only ?

Anotner way to state the question could be, if you had a big block, C20 truck, did they ever have a coil rear setup with either the Dana or an Eaton rear ?

Thanks

stllookn · 05-13-2008, 07:00 PM

I am not sure about the later years but that was the case in '68 anyway. If you ordered a big block you got the Dana 3.54 and if you had a small block or six it was an Eaton HO52 w/4.57 (or 4.10). Both were leaf spring, however, so I am not sure about that option and don't have my Restoration Guide handy. I am sure someone else will chime in with the full story on the coil vs. leaf.

**Joesjunk** · 05-13-2008, 08:05 PM

Standard rear end gear with a big block (3/4 ton) was 3:54, and that was only in a Dana. I have seen big block trucks with coil and leaf (71-72 anyway). I am guessing if you ordered a 4:10 gear you might have gotten either rear axle??

**Classic Heartbeat** · 05-13-2008, 08:48 PM

Good question. I know that they did make a 3/4 ton coild spring Dana 60 for 71-72 anyway. I have had a couple of Big Block Suburbans with them, so I know you could get a coil spring BB 3/4 ton Suburban that way. WES

**uncle** · 05-14-2008, 12:40 AM

I have a few pics. All the big block 3/4's I've had were Dana's. I willalso show a small block 72 w/ Eaton. The panhard bar location on the Eaton is on the tube not the actual chunk like a Dana. That's where the length difference comes in. The Eaton bar is aprox. 26 1/2" center to center and the Dana is aprox. 24". I also showed 2 70 model Dana rears. On leaf (longhorn) and 1 coil.Green machine , the one bar on the brick wall is the only Dana bar I could find. It has some pitting,but I think it will be fine.

**uncle** · 05-14-2008, 12:41 AM

More pics.

texanidiot25 · 05-14-2008, 05:05 AM

My '69 CST/10 with a SB350 and TH350 came from the factory with a Dana 60 rear with the coil suspension.

factorystock · 05-16-2008, 01:26 AM

The c20 is available with the standard wheel base( coil or leaf) or the longer wheel base longhorn( leaf only ), but any axle could be ordered. The big block typically would have a 3.54 dana only ratio.The mystery is why GM would interchange a 4.10 dana instead of the 4.11 eaton and the 4.56 dana instead of the 4.57 eaton on sixes and smaller eights.

67_C-30 · 05-16-2008, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factorystock

The mystery is why GM would interchange a 4.10 dana instead of the 4.11 eaton and the 4.56 dana instead of the 4.57 eaton on sixes and smaller eights.

I agree. Its also wierd that the big block 1 tons went back to the Eaton instead of the Dana.

Longhorn Man · 05-16-2008, 05:09 AM

the eaton was stronger, and since you couldn't get 3.54 gears in a one ton, why give it a weaker axle?

67_C-30 · 05-16-2008, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the eaton was stronger, and since you couldn't get 3.54 gears in a one ton, why give it a weaker axle?

That's my point. I wonder why the C20's got Dana's if they didn't have 3.54 gears. I understand why they used the Dana to get the higher 3.54 ratio, but why have the weaker Dana rearends with 4.10 and 4.56 in C20's behind big block and V6 GMC's? It seems you'd want the Eaton in there unless it was a 3.54 ratio.

deputyd_0803 · 05-16-2008, 05:57 AM

I have a 72 bbc with leafs and a dana 60 with 4.10's. I know this doesn't answer the question, but thought I would put my word in.

Longhorn Man · 05-16-2008, 06:10 AM

I always kinda wondered about that myself. Longhorn jeff has a CST/20 Longhorn, 396/TH400... dana, with 4.10's.

**uncle** · 05-16-2008, 03:34 PM

My 71 big block horn has a 4:10 Dana also.

05-13-2008, 06:30 PM	#1
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? Am I correct in assuming that for 71-72, in a C20 LWB truck, if you had a big block, they came with a Dana 60 rear and/or were leaf spring only ? Anotner way to state the question could be, if you had a big block, C20 truck, did they ever have a coil rear setup with either the Dana or an Eaton rear ? Thanks __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0 Last edited by Green Machine; 05-13-2008 at 06:32 PM.

05-13-2008, 07:00 PM	#2
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? I am not sure about the later years but that was the case in '68 anyway. If you ordered a big block you got the Dana 3.54 and if you had a small block or six it was an Eaton HO52 w/4.57 (or 4.10). Both were leaf spring, however, so I am not sure about that option and don't have my Restoration Guide handy. I am sure someone else will chime in with the full story on the coil vs. leaf. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) Last edited by stllookn; 05-13-2008 at 07:01 PM.

05-13-2008, 08:05 PM	#3
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,690	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? Standard rear end gear with a big block (3/4 ton) was 3:54, and that was only in a Dana. I have seen big block trucks with coil and leaf (71-72 anyway). I am guessing if you ordered a 4:10 gear you might have gotten either rear axle?? __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

05-13-2008, 08:48 PM	#4
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? Good question. I know that they did make a 3/4 ton coild spring Dana 60 for 71-72 anyway. I have had a couple of Big Block Suburbans with them, so I know you could get a coil spring BB 3/4 ton Suburban that way. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

05-14-2008, 12:40 AM	#5
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,286	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? I have a few pics. All the big block 3/4's I've had were Dana's. I willalso show a small block 72 w/ Eaton. The panhard bar location on the Eaton is on the tube not the actual chunk like a Dana. That's where the length difference comes in. The Eaton bar is aprox. 26 1/2" center to center and the Dana is aprox. 24". I also showed 2 70 model Dana rears. On leaf (longhorn) and 1 coil.Green machine , the one bar on the brick wall is the only Dana bar I could find. It has some pitting,but I think it will be fine. Attached Images

05-14-2008, 12:41 AM	#6
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,286	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? More pics. Attached Images

05-14-2008, 05:05 AM	#7
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? My '69 CST/10 with a SB350 and TH350 came from the factory with a Dana 60 rear with the coil suspension.

05-16-2008, 01:26 AM	#8
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,366	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? The c20 is available with the standard wheel base( coil or leaf) or the longer wheel base longhorn( leaf only ), but any axle could be ordered. The big block typically would have a 3.54 dana only ratio.The mystery is why GM would interchange a 4.10 dana instead of the 4.11 eaton and the 4.56 dana instead of the 4.57 eaton on sixes and smaller eights.

05-16-2008, 05:09 AM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? the eaton was stronger, and since you couldn't get 3.54 gears in a one ton, why give it a weaker axle?

05-16-2008, 05:57 AM	#12
deputyd_0803 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. George, UT Posts: 77	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? I have a 72 bbc with leafs and a dana 60 with 4.10's. I know this doesn't answer the question, but thought I would put my word in. __________________ The ONLY way to go. 1972 C20 Custom Deluxe: Rebuilt 402 hopped up a bit, th400 with shift kit, Dana 60(wanna have posi), New solid, no cancer, cab. B & M Starshifter floor shifter.

05-16-2008, 06:10 AM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? I always kinda wondered about that myself. Longhorn jeff has a CST/20 Longhorn, 396/TH400... dana, with 4.10's.

05-16-2008, 03:34 PM	#14
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,286	Re: Big Blocks, Leaf Springs and Dana 60 Question ? My 71 big block horn has a 4:10 Dana also.



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