Ramchargers Magniesium Dana 60

[moparsrul]

Has anyone ever seen one of these. From what have gathered used in Factory sponsered Dragster and pro stock cars?

 

[Jerry Hall]

New one on me.

 

[Fury 440]

The Ramchargers, besides the race team, also had a race shop/store. They manufactured and sold many different parts, with some aimed at pro funny car/ dragster (and pro stocks too). The diff in your photo was used by various funny car teams and poss. dragsters ( rear engine?) It's a very cool and rare item you have there. There was an article on your piece in the Mopar Collectors Guide a few years back.

 

[Fury 440]

From my archives.

 

[moparsrul]

I believe that this one was out of Dragster really short axles. Im thinking about getting some new axle tubes made and putting it in a 65 Altered wheelbase I,m working on. It is really light weight but heavy duty.

 

[gooser]

i think sox & martin had one in one of there pro stock cars

 

[Jeff Peterson]

These are from Hot Rod Magazine, showing the restoration of S&M's last car.

 

[Budnicks]

there was one for sale on here back in 2020

made by Henry (13) iiRC
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/magnesium-dana-60.202793/

 

[Fury 440]

I'll add this to my post: "and pro stocks too..." Great photos Jeff!

 

[fbs63]

I wish someone would cast these in aluminum.

 

[Runcharger]

This one is aluminum.

 

[Cranky]

there was one for sale on here back in 2020

made by Henry (13) iiRC
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/magnesium-dana-60.202793/

I wonder if he sold it.....

 

[Budnicks]

I wonder if he sold it.....

I sort of thought about that too...

too narrow for anything I have now
could get different axle tubes stock &
lengthen the axle tubes & longer axles

for $2,800 he wanted
I'd buy a S60 & deal with the extra weight

 

[Commando66]

I have heard from some older racers that some delivery vans from the 60’s had mag Dana 60’s.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

This one is aluminum.

View attachment 1261394

To Runchargers mention, I have their catalog somewhere, but there was a complete aluminum Dana 60 slated for the open market, but it seems it never materialized for whatever reasons. It was light indeed and had all kinds of bolts holding the axles in place, but could it take the abuse? Could the housing distort under load and throw the ring and pinion out of wack? Who knows.
I know because I saw (actually stared at) one of their prototypes at one the Mopar events and spoke in length with the fabricators. My NYC Spiderman instincts were on high alert since I was really considering having one under my car, but I couldn't get a clear answer under my delivered scrutiny. In all honesty, I was proposing that they throw one at me for testing being that a full on multi page feature on my car was in the works at Mopar Action and I could give them big ups with publicity, but they never returned my calls. So with all of that being said, I am happy enough with my Dr. Diff M60 with it's own lightweight tricks applied.

 

[Cranky]

To Runchargers mention, I have their catalog somewhere, but there was a complete aluminum Dana 60 slated for the open market, but it seems it never materialized for whatever reasons. It was light indeed and had all kinds of bolts holding the axles in place, but could it take the abuse? Could the housing distort under load and throw the ring and pinion out of wack? Who knows.
I know because I saw (actually stared at) one of their prototypes at one the Mopar events and spoke in length with the fabricators. My NYC Spiderman instincts were on high alert since I was really considering having one under my car, but I couldn't get a clear answer under my delivered scrutiny. In all honesty, I was proposing that they throw one at me for testing being that a full on multi page feature on my car was in the works at Mopar Action and I could give them big ups with publicity, but they never returned my calls. So with all of that being said, I am happy enough with my Dr. Diff M60 with it's own lightweight tricks applied.

What kind of lightweight tricks does it have?

 

[MarPar]

What kind of lightweight tricks does it have?

 

[Cranky]

View attachment 1262430

Well, I've heard of gun drilled axles and flanges and lightweight spools.....

 

[fullmetaljacket]

What kind of lightweight tricks does it have?

I don't want to bum rush this thread with all my madness, but very minimum weight loss all on the exterior believe it or not since there isn't much to work with on Dana's. Dr. Diff on my behalf searched between Strange and Moser housings and found that Moser has a lighter casting by a pound or so. Yeah I know, 1 pound, so what! Well you know what I say.

Furthermore, featherweight anodized aluminum stamped rear cover from Moroso mounted with aluminum bolts and washers. These covers are somewhat hard to find but weigh close to nothing and when painted black, look totally stock and heavy. Axles are Moser's and not drilled at all. I have more radical weight loss schemes for it, but have to do more with the brakes and drums than the rear itself.

 

[Runcharger]

The one I installed in the Cuda is powered by this with an 18 spline behind it. We have sticky tires on it with lots of abuse, no actual slicks though just street slicks. Greg bought it about seven years ago. Tubes are steel.