Rear End

AMC 20 

Cons:

First off you need to buy aftermarket ends and axles to make it safe before you even get into the interior for even a mild street car.

Limited choice and availability of aftermarket parts, limited gear ratios (relative to others), expensive, not the strongest rearend in the lot. 30-spline axles really limit the amount of power and tire adhesion you can put to it.

Pros:

It's an AMC part

Ford 8.8"

Cons: There really are no cons with an 8.8" other than you can not just pull the pumpkin out and change the gears like you can in a 9" in 30 minutes if you want to change ratios. Also 33-spline is about the limit in axle size.

Pros:

Sky's the limit on the Pros, cheap, plentiful, unlimited availability of aftermarket parts, ton and tons of used parts all over swap meets and eBay. Gear ratios from 2.47 to up in the low 5.00's. The Explorer 8.8" is the absolute best bang for the buck in the $100-150 range. You get a 3.73, traction lock posi,31- spline axles, 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern, and disc brakes. Need it legal for NHRA/ IHRA racing add a C-clip eliminator kit and your rolling. Pickup an extra short side axle at the Pick-N-Pull and narrow one side 3" and you have a center pinion housing with a  56-1/2" wide wheel mounting to wheel mounting width. Don't like 3.73 gear ratio that can easily be adjusted by shopping for an Explorer rearend with a 3.55 or 4.10 ratio. (3.73 is the most common) 2-dr Sports almost always have 4.10's in them. I read in a previous post that they are, "as strong as a 10-bolt" I am not sure what 10-bolt they were making reference to, but an 8.8" is a lot stronger than the standard 8.2" GM 10-bolt and still even stronger than a 8.5" 10-bolt GM rear. There are a lot of very serious PRO 5.0 Mustangs running crazy fast with a 8.8" rear. It's hands down the best choice for even the smallest of budget.

Dana 60

Cons:

Big, Heavy No ratios commonly available taller than 3.54 (They did list a 3.31 in the Dana book, but I have never seen a 3.31 set in 30 years), However you can get ratios up to 7.17 if you need to race 330 ft.,  Can not change ratio at the track like you can with a Ford 9"

Pros: 

Iconic with the Mopar faithful, WOW factor, Basically bullet proof, 9.75" ring gear, fairly cheap to build, I personally use them in my Duster and Hornet based on the fact that they are the best bang for the buck in hardcore drag racing. Aftermarket parts availability, tons and tons of used parts from almost 60 years of use. 

9" Ford

Cons: Few for a street ride, Need for more serious parts when getting serious at the race track. Transbrake and 4-speed cars quickly require aftermarket case when they blow the caps off the stock case, and all should have a Daytona pinion support regardless of transmission choice. Can get expensive when you add up all the parts it takes to build one for a serious race car.

Pros:

The 9" Ford is like shopping at Subway. You can get it built anyway you want from mild to wild, the Sky is the limit on this rearend. Sheet metal housings, all aluminum cases, every kind of posi or spool you could want.  1/8 mile race on Friday night and change the pumpkin for 1/4 mile racing Saturday night. Then switch back for 1/8 mile on Sunday it can be done with relative ease. If you want the most options in every component the 9" is King of the rearends.

Everyone has there opinion on what they think is the ultimate in rearend choice, but here are some facts to help guide you in making a educated selection. Hope this helps someone.

Tom