Dana 60 gear ratio opinions

[Kevin Harvey]

I am at the last stage of the drivetrain build process. The engine, a 300 CID, the tranny, a stock C-6, the rear a Dana 60, all under a LWB 67 F250 2 wheel drive. Now for the opinions. This is a daily driver. I want to be able to run 70mph without the engine screaming. I do some towing around town but usually 2-3000lbs I have 4.10s now and hate them!!!! I have at my option, everything from 3.08-3.73 I am thinking a set of 3.33's might be the best compromise, but I need to know what you all think.

[19674x4]

well with the 300 and a c6 and with the load you want to pull, i wouldnt go under a 3.50. the 3.73's would work fine.

[averagef250]

There is no such gear as 3.08 for a dana 60. The tallest ratio out there is in the 3.30 range.

I would not go any taller than 3.54's. That gear will give you plenty of umph and keep the engine in it's sweet spot for cruising.

You don't want to lug the 300. Mileage goes down the crapper when you get them below 2200 or so cruising.

[kawasakifreak77]

Quick question here, I've been looking at ring & pinion sets & the highest gearing I can find is 3.54's. Is there a set higher than that? If so, where? Thanks & sorry 'bout the thread jacking!

[Redcap]

Quick question here, I've been looking at ring & pinion sets & the highest gearing I can find is 3.54's. Is there a set higher than that? If so, where? Thanks & sorry 'bout the thread jacking!

That is the tallest I've ever seen for the D60.

[averagef250]

There are 3.30 somethings out there, not sure if they're being made aftermarket or you just have to look real hard, but they're out there.

If you want taller gears you can swap to a dana 61 or a 71. They have a different pinion offset and can go as tall as 3.07

[basketcase0302]

Hey guys,

Isn't another option we have here our final tranny gear ratio?

Do they make different 3rd gear ratio's for the C-6 and our other manual tranny's?

Thanks in advance!

Jeff

[averagef250]

no. high gear in a non-od transmission is direct. In order to change that ratio you would be changing gears you'd have to ad an extra set of gears.

[kawasakifreak77]

So where does one come across one of these dana 61's or 71's?

[averagef250]

Ford used many 61's under F-250 4x4's in the 70's and most 80-85 or so F-250 and light F-350's had them. They look exactly like a dana 70, but don't say 70 anywhere on them.

The 71 was only used by dodge in their 89-93 Cummins dodge trucks with the 12 valve and 727 non-overdrive automatic.

[ChrisB]

So where does one come across one of these dana 61's or 71's?

I agree with what's been mentioned about where to find the. I own one, not sure what it's from. As mentioned the case and the tubes are heavier, like a D70. It will also accept 30 and 35 spline axles which some of the older D60s (I have two under a 69 and 72) won't accept due to the narrower inside diameter of the spindle.

I wan't to run 3.08(7) gears, but can't find them new for the D61. I have found them used on junkyard sites. I also have a Sterling 10.25 from a 93. It isn't much heavier overall but has roughly .75" more heft to the ring gear.

[averagef250]

The sterlings are tough mothers! A breeze to work on too.

I have owned several 3.07 dodge 61's. A friend has everything and anything axle related. I'll ask if he has any gears.

[ChrisB]

I am still interested in new or used 3.07 gears for a D61, but probably moreso a 3.08 Sterling gear. Come to think of it, are there any 3.08 D60 gears for a front (or are they the same in all cases?), that might go in a Dodge 4wd, or did they bump the 4wd gear ratios to at least 3.54 with a Cummins? If I'm not mistaken 3.07 could be found in at least 2wd Cummins 2wd.

I would probably buy a D60 3.07(8 to go with a 3.08 geared Sterling rear

What powertrain did they use in front of the D61 3.07s, (or were those the diesels? Am I mistaken or could you get a 3.07(8 D80 for a Cummins Dodge?

Where there any rears (or fronts) other than the Sterling and D61 that have 3.07(8 gears available? Trouble is, the aftermarket doesn't seem to support it. I would think they might with higher fuel prices and potential fuel savings to be had on the highway, especially for diesels, which are becoming more popular for the same reason. I know I'm interested in adding another diesel, probably a Cummins. 3.54 gears would be OK, but I think 3.08 would be near perfect for how I would plan to use the vehicle.

[averagef250]

You can't put 3.0X anything in a Dana 60. It's impossible because of the physical limitations in the case. A dana 61 is identicle to a 60 dimensionwise except that the pinion is offset 1/4" away from the ring gear to allow for taller gears.

In a Dana 61 the D60 4.56 and higher carrier fits 4.10 and 3.54 gears. The standard 3.30 to 4.10 carrier fits 3.07's.

The dodge D61 front ends are real common. they were used in 89 through 93 non-overdrive auto trucks.

[ChrisB]

True, it dawned on me between posting and reading your response, that I read about D61 fronts sometime in the last year or so.

It sounds like what I should do is get a 89-93 Dodge with a Cummins, a D61 front with 3.07 gears or swap them in. If I read correctly above you say they would have a D71. Are there 3.07 gears available for a D71? It sounds like I'd probably swap a Sterling in place of the Dana 70HD in my application otherwise.

I could use the motor the front end, possibly the rearend. What kind of manual tranny might be found in a similar truck still with a D61 front end (though probably with lower gears)?

Which side is the front pumpkin on in that era Dodge? Are those kingpin or ball joint style?