The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Dana 60 3.73 gear ratio for 3/4 ton 1952 chevy truck

I have a question for rearend specialist, can I buy Dana 60 3.73 gear ratio for 3/4 ton 1952 chevy truck and change easily or I am completely worng?

Can someone please throw some light please? Any help is appreciated

Ganesh

I don't think the Dana 60 was even in production in 1952. If the center housing can be unbolted and dropped out of the front of the unit, it's definitely not a Dana axle. I believe the Chevy rear end was an Eaton unit in the early 50's, and a 3.73 ratio was not available. The highest gear was a 4.56:1 that year, IMHO. Later model 3/4 tons with automatic transmissions went to a 4.11:1, but they're very scarce.
Jerry

I think you're right on that, Jerry. And even if it was in production, the Chevy trucks used the Eaton sourced axle, starting in '47. For the most part, the 3/4 tons used the 4.56, 1 ton used 5.13, although the 5.13 was optional in the 3/4, and later 1 tons could be optioned with the 4.56. Around '67-'68 was when the 4.11 gear was offered with the automatic, and there is a very rare 3.55 (I've only seen 1 myself) offered in '72.
Now if you was wanting to install a Dana 60, it can be done. You'll want one from a Dodge 3/4 or 1 ton van (the width is very close, GM and ford might work, too). Use caution, though, as many of them, especially from the mid '80s-up, are semi-float. Many of the Dodge 60s come with 3.55 gears, I'll bet that there's 3.73s out there, too.

Hotrod Lincoln/LONGBOX55

Thanks for taking time to answer, I was told 88-89 Ford 3/4 ton vans have compatible rear end with lower gear ratio. I was not sure if that is a bolt on. So is there another easy way get the lower gears.

If you any more info, I will appreciate.

Ganesh

I've never measured the width on the fords, but I did help a guy do one with the Dodge rear. It fit very well. The only thing we had to do was swap the spring plates, not really a big deal. We used a dual size U-joint to adapt it to the driveshaft, but I'm certain that one could get a yoke that would match the Chevy joint caps. As I said, though, alot of those vans, especially the 3/4 tons, are semi float, so you will give up some strength useng one of those. Won't be much of an issue if you're not planning to haul anything extremely heavy. Be just fine for a driver.
If you can find one of the 4.11 3rd members from the '67-'72 3/4 ton, it will be a simple bolt in, and will look 100% stock.

Thanks Longbox55, I will dig into this options

Ganesh

Nice article from Hemmings on Dana 60 history and adapting it for your use.

http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2006/04/01/hmn_feature27.html

randy luton

Awesome article buddy

Thanks
Ganesh

That is a good article, although I did spot one error in the application list. The GM duallies used a Dana 70, not the 60. Also, 1 ton Suburban? But otherwise, a very good aticle. One application that they missed, and this one is very rare, was on Jeep CJ2/CJ3. There were some optioned not only with a Dana 60, but duals on the rear. Usually, these had some sort of rear mounted implement, like a drilling rig. The also saw use on the FC Jeeps.
BYW, a used semi float 60 runs around $100-150 around here, I'd say the price range they give is accurate, with the full floaters at the higher end.

I have a 3/4 ton full-floater Dana 60 from a GMC pickup under my 59 Burb, and the tires are a VERY close fit inside the fenders, enough that I had to do a little hammer work to keep them from rubbing. It's been parked for several years, and when I get around to putting it back on the road, I'm going to build up some custom-offset wheels so I can do a proper restoration on the wheel openings. I used a set of Ford 3.73 gears, and a Dodge pinion flange when I set it up, since the rear end was given to me with a broken pinion gear, and no input flange. All Dana 60's have interchangeable parts, regardless of what vehicle they were in originally. Even some International trucks ran Dana rear ends.
Jerry

LONGBOX55

I think I am going to get Ford rear end like Hotrod described and mess around with it, probably if the all the numbers match, that may be easy and cheap way to get low gears onto my truck. I guess 1/2 ton is more easier than 3/4 ton trucks.

Ganesh

I found a 10 bolt Camaro (late 70s) which was the perfect width and found the gears I wanted on Ebay.

Thanks BIG CHEVY, so what kind of gears did you put and how fast does your truck run and did you upgrade the engine?

Ganesh

I ran a Dana 60 in my 55 Cameo for about 10 years. I used reversed 8" steel spoked wheels. The fit was a little tight, and if I hit a real sharp pot hole ( very seldom ) the fiberglass would just touch the widest portion of the tire.
I liked the rear end, but swapped it out when I went to the 76 Blazer 4x4 running gear.
Bob

It was a 3.73 posi gear set and I paid 91.00 for it. The engine is a mild 350 HO crate with 330 horses. I am still in the process of the build. Body work for now.

I too have a Ford Dana 60 that is going into my '52 3/4 ton. That is why this topic piqued my interest. I've done some measurements and they're pretty close, although it does look like the Ford Dana 60 will have a slightly wider track. However, I'm using year 2000 GMC 8-lug wheels on my truck, and the built-in backspacing might work out.

Mine also has a 3.73 with a broken pinion gear. I would imagine a new gearset and that would be a pretty easy fix. However, I'm thinking about 3.50 gears instead to drop the highway cruise rpm below 3000.

HOT ROD Dad,

Thaks for the information, do you know which year Ford you took it out of or all Dana 60 Axles have same width.

Happy New Year!!

Ganesh