Mopar Muscle Homepage
Get Adobe Flash player

1969 Road Runner Project, Part VIII

Drive Train Specialists Builds a Bulletproof Dana to Back-Up Our 700 lb/ft Wedge
By Jerry Pitt
Photography by Jay Prosch-Jensen
1969 Plymouth Road Runner Black Roof Driver Side Front View
The Holley Project Road Runner

P51444 Image Large
1. The DTS Dana 60 is constructed using only new components, at the center of which is an all new Dana 60 centersection. This rearend is a custom assembly and can be ordered in any width with any currently available ring and pinion ratio starting at 3.54 and up to 7.17:1.
Custom Car On Lift Driver Side Rear View
2. DTS, in addition to building custom rearend assemblies in both their Wayland and Warren, Michigan, locations, offers full-service installation as illustrated here.
P51446 Image Large
3. Axle tubes are custom length, 3-inch I.D. cut individually from DTS' tubing stock.
P51447 Image Large
4. In-house assembly helps DTS maintain tight tolerances and customer satisfaction. On the lathe, each centersection end of the axle tube is machined for a precise fit.
P51448 Image Large
5. Here are the components prior to welding the axle tubes to the centersection: the new Dana 60 center, axle tubes, spring perches, and one end flange for mounting the brake assembly. DTS can build your Dana 60 to accommodate factory or aftermarket brake systems, like our soon-to-be-installed system from Baer Racing on the Holley Roadrunner.
P51449 Image Large
6. In order to guarantee correct fitment of the differential, DTS uses this gauge fixture to measure pinion centerline.
P51450 Image Large
7. DTS used 35-spline axles for our assembly. Each axle carries a 10-year warranty against breakage for a full replacement.
P51451 Image Large
8. This detail photo of the installed ARB Air Locker shows how compressed air is delivered to the Air Locker. Aired up, the Air Locker operates in a "locked-up" mode (like a spool). When air is released with the switch, the unit operates as an open rearend.
P51452 Image Large
9. DTS' Dana 60 girdled cover offers extra strength, access for lubricant service, and better cooling as aluminum transfers heat far better than a steel cover. Billet aluminum caps assure alignment under the load of the Indy Cylinder Head-built 542ci engine, which in our testing produced over 700 lb/ft of torque at the flywheel.
P51453 Image Large
10. Our complete assembly as shipped to Muscle Car Restorations in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin...
P51454 Image Large
...for installation in the Holley Project Road Runner.
P51455 Image Large
11. The axles carry a 1350 series forged yoke--that's even larger than the Mopar Dana 60 7290 Mopar. Additionally, the axle tubes and axles that DTS installs offer a larger tapered Timkin wheel bearing. This setup outperforms the revered Mopar "Green" bearings and requires no end-play adjustment. This setup requires the use of aftermarket brakes.
ARB Air Locker
20 S. Spokane St.
Seattle
WA  98134
DTS Drive Train Specialists
1218 Ingle Road
Wayland
MI  49348

Discuss in our Forums
Dodge Avenger Research
Dodge Avenger Get updated on all your car buying needs from safety features, to specs, to crash test ratings and options. Get all the information you need if you are interested in buying a new car like the Dodge Avenger. The 2010 Avenger has fuel economy of 25 mpg, and comes with comparable warranty coverage to other vehicles in its class. Also check out the Jeep Compass and the Chrysler Pacifica.
 
1969 Plymouth Roadrunner - Holley Project Roadrunner
Holley Performance and Mopar Muscle Magazine conspire to build a '69 Roadrunner that Mopar fans dream about... more