So kid you really want a Dana rearend?

Author Topic: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?  (Read 1110 times)

Offline Katfish

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So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« on: July 12, 2009 - 07:11:23 PM »
Along the same lines as the other post, I thought I would share what it cost me to put a Dana in my car.
The only thing that jumps out at me is the $800 labor for setting up the gears and rearend.
I've always wanted a Dana since I was a kid.  Looking back at it, I'm not so sure the money wouldn't have been better spent elsewhere.

Oh well, what's done is done.  I look at it like a Rolex watch, do you really need it?  No, but it sure looks good.
« Last Edit: July 12, 2009 - 07:13:46 PM by Katfish »




Offline mopardave

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2009 - 07:54:01 PM »
Dana 60, drum to drum with all new 11 brakes, posi and yoke you want with strange shafts.from DTS is 2400.00 delivered to you with any gear up to mid 4 i believe. just an FYI
Mopar Dave
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Offline Katfish

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2009 - 08:10:20 PM »
I did some checking around, all the places I called came with the following:

Bare, extra for powder coat
No brakes, backing plates extra
TracLock diff, extra for Power Lock
Don't use Dana/Spicer gears
No pinion snubber
Extra for welding on the perches
They nickle and dime you once you start getting the details.
Approximately $200 for shipping

Closest thing out there is Dr. Diff, he has a complete e-body set-up for $3000 plus shipping, and that has a Trac Lock.

I know I didn't do great, but is was better than what I could find.  It just emphasizes what I always post when someone asks about buying a "fixer upper".  It will cost you 2-3x something that's already done.
You forget about all the extra details, like $350 for a new driveshaft.

I bet I would have a hard time selling this thing for $1500.
« Last Edit: July 12, 2009 - 08:20:43 PM by Katfish »

Offline mopardave

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2009 - 08:31:42 PM »
not sure,  I ordered Dana 60 with 11 brakes, 3.54 posi, 7290 yoke, strange axles, everthing is NEW painted black,
and i paid 2400.00 delivered to the dealer, prices may have gone up since then but thats what it was. Call DTS and see what they say, it wouldn't hurt if your wanting.
Mopar Dave
Rosevillemoparts.com

if I haven't replied to your post or PM email me direct    dradcliffe@mikeriehls.com




70 FK5 Challenger RT/SE
70 FC7 70 Road Runner - Sold
71 FM3 Challenger RT
71 Cuda (in process for restoration)
73 F8 Challenger
1990 XJ - sold
2000 Dakota Quad Cab
2010 Ram Crew Cab 2500 4wd - sold
2015 Ram Crew Cab 2500 4wd Black Out

Offline gkring

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2009 - 09:19:30 PM »
Looks like you are in the ballpark. take out $350 for the driveshaft and $135 for the powdercoating and you were under teh DTS quote. The $800 gear setup does sound pricey.

I'm starting with a Strange 60 housing. With that and the  fixed piston wilwoods and everything else I am sure I will have a piece of jewelry of my own under the car. Small bites and it doesn't hurt as much. When I added it all up, however it was going to be less that $200 to go with a Dana over a 8 3/4 since I was starting with a 7.5 under my convertible.
Greg
1970 Challenger convertible-in process
1970 Barracuda driver

Offline matt63

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2009 - 11:01:41 PM »
$800 just for labor?  That sounds ridiculous to me.
Matt in Edmonton

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Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2009 - 11:13:30 PM »
$800 just for labor?  That sounds ridiculous to me.

I agree I just paid $100.00 to have my 83/4 gears changed it was out of the car but 800 sounds high. :screwy:
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Offline Katfish

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #7 on: July 14, 2009 - 06:43:53 AM »
I initially thought the labor was high, and maybe it is.  They said they had 20hrs into it.

They removed the 8.75, and put the car with the Dana on a chassis table and made sure everything was true before welding in the new perches.  He also went through 2 Power Lok units to set-up the gears.  The initial set had the 23 spline for the early B body, while the 2nd unit had the correct 35 spline internals.  They also had to deal with getting the rear end powder coated.

Unfortunately this was not something I could do myself.

Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2009 - 07:04:54 AM »
That explains it if they did the swap and set up the gears it’s not so bad.

So are you happy with it?

Thats all that matters.
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Offline Katfish

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #9 on: July 14, 2009 - 09:02:19 PM »
Yes, I'm happy, and will be happier as the cost fades out of my memory.  Unfortunately I'm the type of person that likes to keep track of the details.

I guess the powder coating ended up adding at least $200 to the total.  They had to set-up the rear end for fit and weld on the shackles, then take it back out to be powder coated.  Then set-up the gears and then put it back together again.

The guys at Chassis Engineering are very professional and everything turned out great.

Here's a link to a full frame, fiberglass body car they are putting together for a guy overseas.

http://chassisengineering.com/69ROADRUNNER.html
« Last Edit: July 14, 2009 - 09:03:52 PM by Katfish »

Offline gkring

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2009 - 09:38:15 PM »
Oh! You got a good deal then. I didn't realize the $800 included ALL the labor. You can also recoupe alot of that selling off your old rear. Sounds like you got a pretty fair deal.
Greg
1970 Challenger convertible-in process
1970 Barracuda driver

Offline hemidude426ci

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Re: So kid you really want a Dana rearend?
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2009 - 03:14:49 PM »
If it makes you feel any better, a huge selling point for when I bought my 'Cuda was the big old Dana between the huge rear meats sporting 4:10's.  Childish? Perhaps, but nevertheless its always money well spent when it makes you happy, Nice upgrade!
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