TOTM: The Ford 9" rear axle.

[AZFord4x4]

Ok, what do you know about it? No other axle has the gearing choices, & aftermarket support quite like the 9", but is it enough?

what years, what splines, what WMS widths? let's hear what you know.

[shons b2]

mines from a 76- f150. 31 spline. i'll add wms-wms.
had one behind a 460 in an 84 mustang me and my dad built, many moons ago. went thru clutches,u-joints,driveshafts,and a few trannies. never hurt the 9"
only drawback is no inspection cover. but i have seen a few that were fabbed up. really nice. someone cut a drainplug in the bottom of my buddies, 72 bronco. unsanitary installation !!
shon

[John Deere Ranger]

My Disc Brake write up (http://www.auburn.edu/~smithbj/Discbrake.htm)

[jslater]

So far I this mod is one of the best I was able to find. GO HERE!! (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68809&highlight=axle+seals)
Thanks to Aggro for Info!!!
AS for axles go I prefer no smaller then the 35 spliners. Hell why not 40's, haven't seen those yet.

[pavelow]

9 inch (http://66.96.130.106/archives/2002/02/nineinch/index.shtml)


All you need right there

[Brick Wall]

I think the 9 inch is a good "beginner" axle to set up gears on. I've never opened up a diff cover until this past week and I found the install and setting the final pattern to be quite simple. I'm halfway through a write up. I'll post it upon completion.

AJ

[braxton357]

Originally posted by jslater
So far I this mod is one of the best I was able to find. GO HERE!! (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68809&highlight=axle+seals)
Thanks to Aggro for Info!!!
AS for axles go I prefer no smaller then the 35 spliners. Hell why not 40's, haven't seen those yet.

go here (http://performanceunlimited.com/customproducts/9inchaxles.html)

http://performanceunlimited.com/customproducts/img77.gif

:D

[masonmachines]

Those 40 spline axles are huge
:eek:

[SuperRanger]

So who is going to first to get a true 9" reverse rotation pig? Not me, but I would like one.

[Rerard]

I decided on a currie 9".. I priced out all the stuff I need/want to do to mine and then looked at a ready to install axle from currie and it actually came out cheaper.

[Gordon]

you can even go 46 spline with a Sandy Cone spool.

[sk8zero]

Here's some info about the Nodular case material, just in case you'd like to know why the N-case is more desirable.

Nodular Iron: Iron of a normally gray cast iron type that has been suitably treated with a nodularizing agent so that all or the major portion of its graphitic carbon has a nodular or spherulitic form as cast. Often referred to as Ductile Iron.

The spherical form of the graphite allows for higher tension to be displaced over the surface of the molecule. Theoretically the material doesn't crack as easily as the other material used in the regular case.

[sk8zero]

Here's some info on a shaved 9".
http://www.sunrayengineering.com/compare.html

Here's some more basic comparison info.
http://www.sunrayengineering.com/nine.html

[The Wahoo]

does a '76 F-150 9" has an offset pumpkin? I just heard that, but thought I'd read it was centered, and used the exact same axle shafts for each side.

[Taylormade]

The axle shafts are the exact width of each other on the 76 9inch. That's the one I just tore apart and they are the same length.

Eric

[sk8zero]

If I'm not mistaken, MOST of the 9" housing tube widths are where the only length difference takes place. Each of the axle shafts on that particular axle should be the same length. The axle shafts I pulled from a '85 Bronco and an '81 F150 are the same lengths on each side, it's the housing tubes that are offset. But, correct me if I'm wrong. After all, the 9" axle was made over a 30 or more year time span. There were some changes during that time.

[CrappyYJ]

Originally posted by mikeyhaken
does a '76 F-150 9" has an offset pumpkin? I just heard that, but thought I'd read it was centered, and used the exact same axle shafts for each side.

The shafts are the exact same size, but the pinion is offset to the passenger side. I measured mine last night ('77 F150). From the center of the pinion to the right side MWS is about 30-1/2" and about 34-3/4" to the left side WMS. These measurements are approximate due to some flex in the tape measure and the fact that I had to eyeball the WMS - probably within 1/4" or so.

[NKDCWBY2]

personally i liked the 9" but it is just to weak for any thang serious i have a 78 bronco that had 9 in it mini spooled 31 spline
pulling in to my drive way after a day of wheelin' i heard a pop bang and a few other choice words i had stripped the mini spool and blew the bearing caps off both carrier bearings


don't shoot me but i'm in the processof putting a corporate 14 under it and chevy spindles eight lug and 4 inches wider:flipoff2:

[joes75bronco]

I have an in general question about a 28 spline 9"...
its in my EB and I was wanting to put in a mini spool. this wont see too hard of wheeling, moderate to hard....and light. will it hold up or will I be breaking stuff all over the place? thanks
running 35" boggers

[75F100]

i ran a mini spool in my 78 fs bronco. it had 31 splines though. but the only thing you "shold" ever break is the pinion cross shaft, the carrier and/or the splines in the spool. thats the order i did it in and thats what i hear most others do too, its cool as hell while its working though. mine lasted about 3 months.

[NKDCWBY2]

like i was saying my spool lasted bout 3 months also
stripped the splines in the spool and broke the caps running 38's
35 boggers will grip better and do the same thing

[The Wahoo]

get a nodular 3rd then, or don't run a crappy mini spool, just go full spool

[odee]

have seen some n cases come out from under the four wheel drive trucks in a buddies junkyard lately. Have run them in my drag cars and jeep,mud car for years now with no problems. Best gearsets to set up.

[Kilby]

So, how about the WMS <---> WMS measurements?
(I'm looking to put one in a Jeep TJ).

[Vermin]

Mine's a Competition Engineering housing with a Moser nodular 3.250 bearing case, Moser aluminum pinion support, Moser 40 spline spool, Moser 40 spline shafts and 4.56 gears. I've also got Moser billet housing ends.. and some custom bracket work to get the 1980 Jeep Wagoneer discs to work on it.. oh, did I mention it's 6 lug? Heh. Matt's seen the thing... quit drooling bastard!

Got plenty of pix..

Edit: WMS to WMS is 62"

[75F100]

sounds like an awsome set up. to me the only draw back to doing all that is i can get a 60 for $50 or a 14 bolt for $100. its just hard to turn one of these down for a 9" that cost over $1000.
just my .02

[3vze]

75 F100 Ill give you the fact that 14 bolts are 100 bux but where can you get a 60 for 50bux ?

[SR5Dave]

Im considering buying a 9" currently and seeing this up at the same time is really handy!

What spline count will hold up to what tire? (Lets assume aggressive driving because thats all there really is in good rock crawling ;))

What if 5 lug isnt good enough for you? Good shops? Good prices?

My contribution- http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/02/nineinch/index.shtml

Dave

[OCNORB]

Couldn't figure out why I kept bustin' shafts- then I figured out the housing was bent. Probably the most glaring problem with the 9". It definitely needs to be trussed if used with big tires and a heavy foot. After adding up the cost of a new drop in that would accomodate 35 spline shafts, I was money ahead to swap in a Dana 60. I do miss the 9" clearance sometimes though.

[75F100]

Originally posted by 3vze
a 60 for 50bux ?

i did mean a rear D60, i know where theres a small "pile" :D

[BeerStud]

When compared to the rear D60, the 9in pinion dwarfs the pinion of the D60. Also, while the ring gear is of a smaller diameter, the 9in ring gear is thicker than the D60.

[SR5Dave]

Cmon guys, an entire month and one subject and barely anything?

You can do better than that! :flipoff2:


Vermin; I wanna hear more about your 9"!!!!!

[pyros46290]

i read on there something about housings being tapered towards the end but my 9" has no taper. what diameter would the tube be then? i have no caliper and i bought some 3" ID u bolts and they dont work so i returned em and the guy at the auto parts store said "hmmm" i heard somewhere else that a 3.25" housing is rare... how rare? i mite have one

[SR5Dave]

Originally posted by pyros46290
i read on there something about housings being tapered towards the end but my 9" has no taper. what diameter would the tube be then? i have no caliper and i bought some 3" ID u bolts and they dont work so i returned em and the guy at the auto parts store said "hmmm" i heard somewhere else that a 3.25" housing is rare... how rare? i mite have one
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/02/nineinch/rh2.jpg
Another area of concern when swapping axle housings into earlier Mustangs (65-66 models especially) is the diameter of the outer axle tube.Note the taper on this 8" 65-66 Mustang housing, a smaller U bolt and lower shock plate were used originally with these cars.The HIPO 289 cars were the only 65-66 Mustangs to recieve factory 9" axles, the tubes are tapered as well at the end to utilize the same lower shock plate as the regular 65-66 Mustangs.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/02/nineinch/rh6.jpg
Notice this axle tube has no taper at end,as is typical for most housings.A typical early Mustang swap is a later Granada housing, were the non-tapered tube can become an installation problem at times.

Direct quotes from Http://www.fordmuscle.com

So no, yours isnt rare... at all ;)

[Vermin]

Hey SR5.. here's a few pix and stuff. It should hold up *laugh*

Fabricated housing...
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts13.jpg

Moser nodular third for using the 3.250 bearings for the 40 spline shafts..
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts17.jpg

40 spline spool...
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts19.jpg

Billet housing ends..
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts21.jpg

Pinion support..
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts22.jpg

40 spline Moser shafts sitting next to new Wagoneer rotors (notice it's 6 lug.. neeto) I used.
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/suspension/pics/suspension05.jpg

Sitting under the Sami with the 4-link and coils and junk on it..
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/suspension/pics/suspension11.jpg

Nothing more to say really.. It's big as hell. Won't ever break in my Suzuki regardless of how much nitrous I run through the 302.. and I won't ever carry spare rear shafts. Pretty nice I think.

[SR5Dave]

Originally posted by Vermin
Hey SR5.. here's a few pix and stuff. It should hold up *laugh*

Fabricated housing...
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts13.jpg

Moser nodular third for using the 3.250 bearings for the 40 spline shafts..
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts17.jpg

40 spline spool...
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts19.jpg

Billet housing ends..
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts21.jpg

Pinion support..
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/parts/pics/parts22.jpg

40 spline Moser shafts sitting next to new Wagoneer rotors (notice it's 6 lug.. neeto) I used.
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/suspension/pics/suspension05.jpg

Sitting under the Sami with the 4-link and coils and junk on it..
http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/tech/SamiV8Swap/suspension/pics/suspension11.jpg

Nothing more to say really.. It's big as hell. Won't ever break in my Suzuki regardless of how much nitrous I run through the 302.. and I won't ever carry spare rear shafts. Pretty nice I think.

Sweeeeeeeeeeet...

Should I ask how much that ran?

Dave

[Vermin]

Hrmm.. wasn't really THAT bad.. lemme think.

Housing was about $500 I think.
Axle shafts were around $600 (with bearings and stuff)
Case was $325 or so...
Spool was about $200..
Pinion support was about $125..
Housing ends were about $75
Yoke was about $125 (1350)
Have about $100 into bearings..
Studs and lugs.. about $50
Brakes were around $125
Dont remember how much the gears were.. $150?
ARP bolts for the ring gear $30

I'm sure theres stuff I forgot.. but that seems to be bout it :)
$2500'ish??

[SR5Dave]

Originally posted by Vermin
Hrmm.. wasn't really THAT bad.. lemme think.

Housing was about $500 I think.
Axle shafts were around $600 (with bearings and stuff)
Case was $325 or so...
Spool was about $200..
Pinion support was about $125..
Housing ends were about $75
Yoke was about $125 (1350)
Have about $100 into bearings..
Studs and lugs.. about $50
Brakes were around $125
Dont remember how much the gears were.. $150?
ARP bolts for the ring gear $30

I'm sure theres stuff I forgot.. but that seems to be bout it :)
$2500'ish??

Cheaper than a Camo 60!!!!

Probably just as good too ;)

[The Wahoo]

Can you use a 1310 yoke with a 9"?

[BIGDAN333]

When I first got my 85 FS Bronco I started twisting 31 spline axles out of it with a Detriot locker and subsequently destroying the case each time. After a while I got sick of this cycle, got some 31 spline Tom's Kick Ass axles and a nodular case. Never a problem since then. 7 years of jumping 4+ feet in the air, high speed wash runs, Rubicon 5 times and the axles haven't even started to show signs of turning yet.

The axles and the nodular case are definatly worth it. My axles were ~$400 for the pair, and Strange is distrubiting a economy Nodular case for $235 thru several distrubuters (like Summit racing)

Happy trails

[aubrad]

The only problem with $50 60's is that most are the older weaker ones so all you get is an axle that is twice as heavy and weaker with less ground clearance than a 9" but to each his own:flipoff2: