Dana Rear End Perch Relocation

[lyndondb]

I recently purchased a Dana rear end which has the perches for the leaf springs moved inboard an additional 2 inches from the factory nine inch I plan to replace.

Anyone know how to position or how critical the relocation will be. I would think they have to be fairly exact for the rear to be aligned with track and the drive shaft.

?

 

[racedodge]

yes it has to be fairly exact, now there are a couple of ways you can get this done right:

1) take it to an experience welding shop, provide a set of new perches and the OE pinion angle desired, they will weld them in the place you tell them to at the same angle

2) emplace axle in car on new spring perches (having removed the old perches), use a pinion angle finder and support your axle at the appropriate angle, then tack welding the spring perches into place with the correct angle - remove axle housing and permanently weld the perches into place making sure you rotate your welding between the perches so as to not overheat the housing and warp it

3) the close as possible way without using a pinion angle tool: take it to a friend who welds, c clamp the housing onto two stable and flat mounts (saw horses, benches, etc.), level the housing by emplacing a level on the flat part of the perches, then measure where the new perches need to go, emplace one new perch in the correct position - level it with the other perches, tack it into place and then recheck the level, once satisfied on the placement for both sides, weld permanently into place, and then remove old perches with a torch or sawzall and then grind down the mounting welds

 

[wedge5]

You could put the Dana on jack stands. Perches would sit on the jack stand. You would then measure from the ground up to the center on the pinion yoke. Now move the jackstands out and new perches to the desired width. When you get the perches where you want them measure from ground up to set your pinion angle. Double, Triple check your measurements before you tack the perches in place. I put mine back into the car to make sure it fit before I put the final welds on.