Ive got a couple questions about a 9" from an early 70's ford pickup. The front 44 that I have has got drum brakes, but it is open knuckle, and its high pinion, with, I want to say 4.10's... Can anyone confirm what gears this truck might have? Well anyway, on to my question. I have a chance to purchase a 9" out of that same truck for the rear, and Im curious if anyone can tell me if it will be the big bearing 9" with 31 splines, or will it be 28 spline? Another thing is, I REALLY like the idea of running 40 spline dutchman shafts with a full spool in it, just because it would be strong and bulletproof. For this, does the big bearing need to be bored out? do the axle tubes need to be bored out? Im not thinking they will, but I just want to make sure. Thanks
Scott <><

Not sure about the housing being BB. But if you haven't found this out allready: the third member will have to be replaced buy a after market castng. the stock third member is only good to 31 spline. 35-40 spline are just too big. I found this out on the Moser Engineering web site. Good luck.

Eric

BB housings are easily identified by the step up in the housing diameter at the end of each axle tubes. The only sure way to find out about 28 vs 31 spline is to pull an axle. It's an easy task.

As mentioned above, to run 35 or larger axles, you will need and expensive after market 3rd member.

Also, the early 9" housings are a weaker design. In the late 70's ford changed the housings so they look like they built in truss's.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/ebwidth.jpg

As stated by Nobody you need to pull the axel for sure to know but it should be 31 splined and as shown in the picture the end flars out showing it is a BB. If you decide to go with a full spool Moser has 33 splined that will fit into the stock third member but I think all you can run is there spool. If you are starting from scratch and are concerned with strength do a 60 or even a 60 with BB 9" outers and Moser 35 splined shafts 35 splined lockers and spools are easy to find for 60's. FearMe talked me into the 60 9" outers and Moser 35 splined shafts and I love it.

Thanks for the info. I guess ideally I won't want the 9" out of the same truck that I got the D44, because it will be small bearing right? I guess I will check it out. I do want to go 9", but have decided that the 40 spline idea is out, only because Im cheap and I don't really want to spend the money on a new 3rd member. So 35 spline should be plenty. Heck, for my application, I could survive with 31, but better safe than sorry.
Next question.
Im looking for a big bearing 9" thats 65-66" wide, any pointers on what vehicles to look under? Thanks
Scott :grinpimp:<><

It very well could be a big bearing. But it is likely a 28 spline. New 31 spline axles run about 400 w/ bearings and such. Ron @ Sierra Brconco www.sierrabronco.com can get you a good deal on them.

Oh, and one more thing. I know a guy in the north bay area with a currie housing for sale for $175 and a standard for $125. Both big bearing.

Email Brandon @ bhalog@pacbell.net Tell him Jack from the EBML sent you.

Thanks for the reply... If its a big bearing, that means I can have 35 spline shafts made for it and stick em in right? And then Id just need to have the third member setup, and just slide the axles in... Correct me if Im wrong. Thanks for the info on where to get the shafts.. Ive got a couple other options as well.. thanks.
Scott

I believe you can put a 35 spline in a 9" big bearing, but I could be wrong, so double check! If you can, then yes, just get the 3rd member, bolt it on, slide the axles in and your in! Good luck man.

-Jack

Yes you can put 35 spline axels in a big bearing (I think they will fit in a small one to but why) and you can just get a third member built but keep in mind they will not fit in most thirds. I have one from currie and love it, but I had to go with a STRANGE/CURRIE third member, BUT I have heard that they will fit a noduelar case but I have no experance with that.