I’m narrowing the rear axle down after 7 years.
Im only considering Midwest chassis at this point. Not going with Strange, Quick, Tick, or Moser.

Midwest chassis S60 for $4100 shipped: 4chan, 35 spl, 3.73, s-trac, HD yoke, powder coated, shipped, etc.

or

Midwest chassis 9” for $5800: 3.70, 35 spl, wavetrac, aluminum housing, back braced, HD yoke, powder coated, 4 Chan, fully assembled, shipped, etc.

The $1700 difference is inconsequential. What is your vote?

 

If you are considering gear ratio changes in the future, the 9" is the no-brainer. However, I suspect that the Strange Dana 60 (S60) is just as strong as a 9", if not stronger. I went w/ the MWC S60 (nearly identical build as you are considering) with no regrets.

 

My car has the MWC Fab9 - Its a tank and I think it has a lot of pros and only a couple cons.

Due to it being the sheet metal fab 9 I can add a watts link but it is much more of a process. the ABS is touchy. I have a work around but you will get ABS INOP all the time. Traction control works but ABS not so much when that happens.

I feel like it holds its value more than the Dana60 when I stumble across people parting their cars out.

Why are you doing the S-Trac in the Dana but the Wavtrac in the 9"

What are you gong to do with the vehicle? drag race or street driving?

 

No Strac for the 9” and no wavetrac for the S60; they appear to be similar: billet case with helical cut gears. Closest thing to a LSD from what I can gather.

The only consistent goal I’ve had for this vehicle.
-American made, highest quality parts with no expense spared.



ABS inop light will bother me, but If it’s simply an intermittent problem it wouldn’t be a deal breaker. If it’s an all the time problem, I have HPTuners so I guess I could tune it out.

 

They're both solid options but if your plans are to drag race 1/8 and 1/4 runs 9" gets the

If this is a dedicated street machine and you want to spare no expense on a rearemd you should consider a Heidts IRS.

 

This is the way - I priced one out but will end up going to a 9 inch. I think after options it was close to $9k (heidts).

 

MWC fab 9 will be lighter than the s60. for reference my complete mwc fab 9 with 35 spline axles, narrowed 3" per side, strange pro hd aluminum case and a chromoly spool weighed in at 158lbs, basically the same as a stock 10 bolt.

 

I've got their 9 inch in my car as well and the fit and finish is top notch. Yukon iron case with a Yukon grizzly locker 35 spline 3.25 gears and it's just as quiet as it was the first day out

 

I think the 9 inch eats more hp than the S60 due to inferior pinion placement.

 

Always a solid debate since there are minor differences between all the choices. Cheaper, efficient, gear ratio change someday if you have an extra $2g to have a spare drop out for a 9". They are all pretty strong, efficient and popular. No clear winners since the best and worst is separated by less than 5%.

One item NOT mentioned and it is minor. The rear pinion bearing that makes a Ford strong is in the same space as a differential lives. Not an issue as a spool but for a street car or off road toy. It forces you to run a small differential. Find an image of a Ford 9" Trac loc and an image of a Dana 60 Power lock and decide.

I went with a GM 12 for none of the reasons debated above. Just want to keep my GM, all GM.

 

I opted for the exact same in my 99. Probably not the most popular now but, its working for me.

 

Any of you guys having any issues with exhaust clearance due to larger axle tubes?

 

KOOKS 3" true dual exhaust clears the Strange S60. Can't say for the MWC Fab 9. I don't have a full exhaust system on the 99 car.

 

I have been waiting for MWC to build my differential since September of 2025. They keep giving me dates but those dates keep getting pushed up. Now they are not responding to email at all and I have no ETA as to when I can expect my differential. They were great years ago but lately it's really hard to get firm deadlines and now even general communication.

 

They've got minimal staff right meow. I sent an email last Monday about their 8.50 cert cage for my 91 Z28 and they only got back to me yesterday. I ended up ordering it right then and there

 

I had delays with them too for their front end kit. Ordered in September and got it in January. I emailed several times but they were fairly responsive. You have to email -- don't call. Quality still looks good. I have their fab 9" and rear suspension too but I bought that 8 years ago and got it in three weeks.