Chevy Chevelle Strange Dana S60 Rear Axle - The Great Rear Axle Comparo

Strange S60
Strange calls its version of the Dana 60 the S60 because these are not rebuilt housings but all-new nodular iron castings designed specifically for each application. Strange offers this S60 for a variety of body styles, including early Camaros, Chevelles, and G-body cars as well as all kinds of Mopar applications. The Dana/S60's legendary strength comes from its 9.750-inch-diameter ring gear and massive 35-spline axleshafts. This does add weight (see Rearend Weigh-In sidebar), but not nearly the heft you might expect. The 3-inch-diameter tubes are completely welded into the centersection, and the housing ends allow use of the stock Chevelle rear drum brakes after enlarging the center hole to clear the 3.150-inch-diameter axle bearings.

The Strange S60 bolted right into our Chevelle using a set of Hotchkis rectangular lower control arms and adjustable upper arms. Strange also included the optional, powdercoated Strange aluminum cover, just to let everyone know what's under our Chevelle.
The Strange S60 bolted right into our Chevelle using a set of Hotchkis rectangular lower c
Because Strange uses the stock bolt pattern housing end, we were able to retain the use of stock drum brakes to keep the cost down. Strange also offers several rear disc-brake options for all of its rearend assemblies.
Because Strange uses the stock bolt pattern housing end, we were able to retain the use of
We also used a pair of Strange adjustable rear shocks to finish off the installation.

The S60 we tested came from Strange, equipped with 3.54:1 gears, a Trac-Lok limited slip, a 1350-sized pinion yoke, and 7/16-inch wheel studs to match the other two housings. The four-bolt axle retainer flange also secures the axles, making it easy to pull an axle without removing the rear cover. The only modification we had to perform was the machine work necessary for the same larger center hole in the backing plates on the 12-bolt. This S60 rearend assembly and 1350 U-joint also required a new driveshaft, which we got from Strange.

DESCRIPTION	PN	SOURCE	PRICE
Strange S60 rear axle assembly	PRSA05	Strange Engineering	$2,098.39
Strange S60 A-body housing	H1100AB	Strange Engineering	769.00
Strange 35-spline S/T axles	P3504	Summit Racing	371.00
Strange Dana 60 3.54 gearset	D3550	Summit Racing	259.99
Strange Dana 60 Trac-Lok	D3539	Strange Engineering	465.00
Strange Dana 60 aluminum rear cover	D3509	Summit Racing	208.39
Strange Chevelle rear adjustable shocks, pair	S5264	Summit Racing	305.90 pair
Strange aluminum S60 cover	OPRS06	Strange Engineering	119.50
Strange driveshaft	U1699	Summit Racing	219.95
Strange TH400 slip yoke, 1350	U1600	Summit Racing	99.95
Amsoil 75W90 synthetic gear oil, qt	SVGQT	Amsoil	11.85