8 3/4 vs D60

[dodj]

Various threads involve a decision between the 8 3/4 and the dana 60. What makes the dana stronger? Is it the differential? The case? The bolts holding it together?
 

[1 Wild R/T]

The gears are bigger, the spiders are bigger, it was designed for a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck... It's big beefy & heavy... But it uses more horsepower to drive than an 8.75  because of the angle of the gear teeth between the ring & pinion....

[rUNCHARGER]

The housing is much stronger and doesn't deflect under shock load like an 8 3/4 does. And just bigger everything, The 8 3/4 is great for what it was engineered for, the Dana 60 was over engineered for a heavier application than the 8 3/4. The Dana 60 is 50 lbs heavier than an 8 3/4 and people say it takes more power to turn but I have seen a few tests that swapped between them and the ET's were the same.

Sheldon

[RCCDrew]

I have never destroyed an 8 3/4. But I have killed several Dana 60s and 9 1/4s. Those axles were under big power trucks. I prefer the 8 3/4 for simplicity and easy gear swaps!!

[Chryco Psycho]

the design is stronger in every respect  I have broken  bunch of 8 3/4 diffs cost the same to build either so unless you re swapping gears regularly I would use the Dana 

[dodj]

the design is stronger in every respect  I have broken  bunch of 8 3/4 diffs cost the same to build either so unless you re swapping gears regularly I would use the Dana 

I'm not arguing a d60 is stronger, just curious what EXACTLY makes them stronger.