I want a faster rearend in my '64 3/4 ton. How much will that cost? Would it be easier/cheaper to get diffent axle? If so what?

 

Ring and pinion for dana 60(i'm guessing thats what it is)
is 160 bucks plus can get a 40 dollar installation kits.

 

new gears and installation will be $400-$500, if nothing else is wrong. A used jackpot will be much cheaper. What ratio do youhave and what do you want??

 

I'm reading it right here from 4x4 parts wholesalers.
it says lifetime warranty..i'm guessing thats if a certified mechanic instals it......but still.

 

It's gear ratio and rating is 4.56-5M. I was told to put a 3.50 in it. That was if I put a 390 in it though. Would it be better to change engines too?

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 05-Jan-01 AT 00:41 AM (EST)[/font][p]q_ball:
A 3.54 is a good ratio for all-around 2WD usage as long as the tires aren't too tall. If you have a 4x4, both axle ratios must match if the tires are the same diameter. Almost all 3/4 ton Fords used Dana 60's until the 1980's. Here's a reply I wrote for a similar earlier post called tranny ??'s:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/61_79/4757.html

hpguy,
About Dana 60's - the ring gear diameter is actually 9.75". Gear ratios 3.07, 3.54, 3.73, and 4.10 use one carrier. 4.56 and steeper gears (4.88, 5.13, 5.38, 5.57, 5.87, etc...) use a different carrier that has the ring gear mounting surface closer to the pinion centerline. In other words, your trac-loc (carrier) from the 4.56 will not work with a set of higher (less reduction) gears. A ring gear spacer will not be the answer either, as the mounting surface is too close already.

If you have never changed a ring & pinion before, I suggest changing out the whole axle assembly, as a Dana is not the easiest axle to set up correctly (especially if you don't have a case spreader and pinion depth gauge).

A complete Dana 60 can be very cheap, as Ford built lots and lots of 3/4 ton trucks! Sometimes one can get a junked 70's truck for nearly free, and the rear axle will still be OK. OR, maybe you could trade your 4.56 with a trac-loc for a 3.54 or 3.73 with a trac-loc. Keep in mind that a 4.56 is much more valuable to pullers and off-roaders with big mud tires than a 3.54. 4.56 to 4.10 is only a 10% difference - the ratio of gear ratios. Negotiate the deal so you still end up with a trac-loc or a power-lok when everything's done.

By the way, an axle with a good trac-loc or power-lok will not allow you to rotate one brake drum when the other wheel is on the ground and the transmission is in neutral. It should take over 100 ft-lb to force its clutch plates in the differential to slip.


Good luck parts hunting q_ball,
Art

 

 

I also have a '64 4x4 with a 292, 4spd T-98 tranny. With my 4.56 gears in the rear I maxed out at about 60MPH. I recently swapped out the rear for another dana 60 with 3.73 gears. My tires are 32s and it cruises real well at 70-75 MPH. I couldn't love it better. I recently drove from Montana to Arizona and the highway travel was no problem. Good luck.

(Still haven't changed the front ring and pinion yet due to cost and difficulty. Thanks for the info on this post)

Rob