[cboy]

I don't want to start any flame wars or brand name quibbling, but I'm wondering if forum participants could come up with a good side by side ranking of the basic rear ends used for hot rods. This might be helpful to those in the planning stages of a rod who do not yet have a donor rear end.

I would propose two separate rankings, the first for pure brute strength and the second ranking for "best choice" which would take into account price, availability, parts availability, weight, ease of use, adaptability to racing etc.

If we can come to some sort of consensus on these ratings then it might be good to move this thread over to the knowledge base or even make it a topic in the wiki. But I thought it might be good just to start the discussion here.

Let me start with my own ratings which are, admittedly, based on rather limited experience and knowledge...and are intended only to get the process moving forward. Feel free to add any of the more popular rear ends that I may have overlooked and to provide your own rankings with comments.

Ranking by brute strength

1) Dana 60
2) Ford 9"
3) Early Olds esp. '64 era
4) Mopar 8 3/4"
5) Chevy 12 bolt
6) Dana 44
7) GM 8 1/2" 10 bolt
8) Ford 8.8"
9) Ford 8"

Ranking by "Best Choice"

1) Ford 9" (strength, availability, price, parts availability)
2) Chevy 12 bolt (availability, strength, parts availability)
3) Mopar 8 3/4"
4) Dana 60 (lower rating due to weight and scarcity)
5) Dana 44 (parts availability problems)
6) Ford 8.8"
7) GM 8 1/2" 10 bolt
8) Ford 8"
9) Early Olds (low rating due to lack of availability and parts)

[Jon]

This would integrate very well with this wiki article, already-in-progress: Swap Solutions: Rear Axles.

[matt167]

1 thing tho

I'd swap 8" ford to farther twords the top on the best choice list. reason being, there swapped into many cars, like Model A's, '32 Fords, Mustangs, Falcons, on a regular basis, and there cheap and plentiful.

[Guy Hiltz]

I will choose the Ford 9 inch for a combination of both.Here in Nova Scotia Canada the Dana's are not very common,I have only seen one at all the car shows I have been at.I know one guy that has a back yard full of Ford rearend stuff.For my money its 9 inch all the way!