:confused:

I am confused as heck... I have been searching for the past three hours about the 9".

I have found out that a Ford 9" from a 1974 EB does and does not come in a big bearing.

That if you take this measurement and that measurement and it equals this... then it is a big bearing, but if the ends dont flair up then it is a small bearing. If the bottom is round it is a small bearing. If the bottom is round but comes out of this and this then it is a big bearing. If the bottom is round and the bolt holes measure this and that then it is a big bearing. That if the backing of the drum brakes are 11" then it is big bearing.

Can someone give me some hard evidence of that I need to look for? lol

brakes...

brakes...

Measuring from the back (cause I dont remember) is 11" from top to bottom.

http://www.4x4shots.com/albums/userpics/10016/normal_before.jpg

http://www.4x4shots.com/albums/userpics/10016/normal_213898330sGVHWb_ph.jpg

http://www.4x4shots.com/albums/userpics/10016/normal_213898802jOpUpy_ph.jpg

http://www.4x4shots.com/albums/userpics/10016/normal_213899006wjNEif_ph.jpg

'74 bearing size is the same size as the "big bearing". however the axle retaining plate has a different bolt patern & retainer bolt size is also different. also the size of the drum brakes is smaller than later years. this style is refered to as a "medium duty" or "torino" style axle. the bearing however is exactly the same size as the later year axles.:D

i think the big bearing 9" only came in the 76 & 77 early broncos & they had 11" brake drums, any one before 76 was small bearing with 10" drums

'74 bearing size is the same size as the "big bearing". however the axle retaining plate has a different bolt patern & retainer bolt size is also different. also the size of the drum brakes is smaller than later years. this style is refered to as a "medium duty" or "torino" style axle. the bearing however is exactly the same size as the later year axles.:D

What I want to do is go to 35 spline, 'locker' and a True Hi9. Do they make a full floater for the nine?

A full floater 9" is a custom unit, and big $. Very, very cool though. THe Warn kit will make it a full floater, but with the locking hubs, has it's own set of issues with strength.

If you're wanting to go to 35 spline, you'll need the larger bearing pockets on the end, you'll need an aftermarket 3rd member no matter what, so what's in there now is immaterial.

Here's a handy guide to help identify which axle you really have in your rig.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/26.asp

ok, I have 1 for big bearing and 2 for non-big bearing.

If I do have the 'torino' or medium duty axle, how do I order shafts?

Look at the link I put up. It shows how to measure your bearing pocket ends. Decide which one it is from the list just beside the picture.

Most likely you have one of the oddball units that were in 74-75. Without measuring, there's no telling though, Ford was funny about mixing things up, not to mention all the PO's that had your rig could have swapped it out at some time too.

You'll need these measurements when you go to order parts anyhow, along with the length of your shafts (they're different by ~1" or so) and then you can spec out your new 3rd member. I'd highly recommend that you go ahead and pony up for a Nodular 3rd when you do, just to eliminate the possibility of breaking it in any but an unusual situation.

'74 and '75 Bronco's came with the Torino ends. This pattern was used on the late production 9" and 8.8" so it makes it easier to swap tp later brakes.

http://webpages.charter.net/w01845730/pictures/smallford.gif
http://webpages.charter.net/w01845730/pictures/bigbrgtorino.gif
http://webpages.charter.net/w01845730/pictures/bigford.gif

I went to the yard to check out the axle again and the ends of the axle do flare out and one of the sites above gave some measurements and a wrench size to determine big bearing ends, I took the best measurements I could with the tire and brakes still on (its raining). Took some pics and will put them up here later.