chrysler 9.25, junk or not?

[heavymetalrob]

i have a 9.25 under the rear of my ram charger and i was wondering if it was junk or not.

[Ramstein]

DUDE! I can tell ya from my experience that the 9.25 is NOT junk. In fact, its about the only factory component left on my 98 Ram that hasnt been replaced or modified.

Sure its a C-clip, but that is only an issue if you snap a shaft and dont have a spare on the trail. The shafts are about the same dia. at the splines as a Dana 60, and they gradually taper out getting bigger at the flange to almost 2" diameter I just checked, I have 9.25 and 60 shafts in the garage.

I will put up some pics comparing the 2 for ya after I find my camera.

[Ramstein]

Here ya go.

[heavymetalrob]

thanks for the info. i was thinking about changing it to a dana 60 if it was crap. but since it is not I am going to invest in a detroit locker. Thanks again.

[75 Power Wagon]

Glad to here someone other than me thinks the 9.25" isnt junk!

[Pavemen]

I like mine. Like Ramstein said, the axle shaft itself is big. I have a spare shaft in my garage and it is beefy.

That said, the only thing I don't like about it is that it limits you to 4.56's. You can not get anything lower (there used to be a 5.13 around, but not made anymore I hear). Also my Detroit cost me about $100 over most other applications.

[The Adam Blaster]

The 9.25 is a good quality part, as stated by the other guys here.
I would put it equivalent to a Ford 9" which is viewed by most everyone as a very respectable and durable part. I'd also put the 9.25 just under the strength of a D60, and Kevin has proof as to why!

[Ramstein]

I dont know Adam, I just got done fixing ANOTHER broken 60 shaft in my buggie a little while ago.

[The Adam Blaster]

Time to switch to titanium shafts Kevin?
hehe

[FULLSIZE]

of course the D 60 axle isn't supporting the weight of the vehicle, just the twist. and tapered axles only torsion at the thinnest spot, ever notice how you break short sides up front almost 2-1. they taper to reduce flex at the end where the wheel put side load on them. a 60 the 9-1/4 is not. the 9-1/4 is strong, just not a 60. and 60s are for girls, get a 70!

[440-fide Ramcharger]

I beat the crap out of a 9 1/4 for 3 years. Not one complaint out of it until I had a flat on the way home from Clear Lake. I put my spare on. It was the same size and brand of tire, but had quite a bit less tread. When I got home, the posi was damaged and the truck would do a one-legger around a corner which it never had done before. Not long after that at Hollister, I broke a short side axle on the front 44. I kept playing in 2wd, of course hitting things faster and with more throttle. Well, the pinion shaft broke right behind the yolk on a big hop. Had my friend drag me to the gate and called the hook for a ride back to San Jose. I put in d60's front and rear and all was good for another 6 years until I broke a Detroit. I put in a new one and broke it the next year when I broke an axle. Now I run a 14 bolt. Huge r and p, huge axles, full floater, easy discs and easy detroit. Plentiful in the junk yard too. I would suggest running the 9 1/4 as is, and throwing a 14 bolt in when the 9 1/4 gives you any trouble, which probably won't be for a while. A detroit will put a lot more strain on everything. For the price of having a detroit put in a 9 1/4, you could go a long way into getting a Detroited, disc brake 14 bolt. Just my rambling 2 cents, I hope it made everything as clear as mud.

[74 PowerWagon]

I think I also have a 9 1/4 axle on my 74, but the axle is stamped with just a large 9? (located toward the inside above the yoke) I had always thought that this axle was a 9 1/4, did they make a 9 also?

[440-fide Ramcharger]

If the cover looks like a stop sign, it is a 9 1/4.

[4x4extreme]

JUNK

[RufusTheRam]

i think they're a great 1500 axle, only weak point being the c-clips... that opinion despite the fact i just recently tore mine up for the 2nd tim in less than a year!

[GearheadJLM]

I was given what I believe is a 9.25 rear head out of a v8 durango. The person said that it needs a new pinion bearing. I am currently building a Ford Ranger with a solid axle on the front (currently a dana 30, but I am in the search for a 44). It'll be powered by a mild 302. Now, should I buy the master rebuild and gears for this axle? I plan on running 35 when all said and done. what is my best bet for running a mopar rear to a ford tranny? This will be a mild trail vehicle, and a daily driver. Will this axle be satisfactory for my application?

[Elwenil]

I personally do not like the 9.25 because of the crush sleeve preload issues and the resulting pinion bearing problems. This is what causes the drivetrain slack you hear clunking in just about every automatic Dodge out there. I have never broken anything in a 9.25" except for spider gears and limited slip units, but it is a total pain in the ass to tear it down and redo the pinion preload all the time if you run it hard. Some people are not concerned about it, I personally despise the clunking and odd wear patterns. Go for the D60, it's less trouble and more upgradable in the future.

[mondtster]

Originally Posted by Elwenil

I personally do not like the 9.25 because of the crush sleeve preload issues and the resulting pinion bearing problems. This is what causes the drivetrain slack you hear clunking in just about every automatic Dodge out there. I have never broken anything in a 9.25" except for spider gears and limited slip units, but it is a total pain in the ass to tear it down and redo the pinion preload all the time if you run it hard. Some people are not concerned about it, I personally despise the clunking and odd wear patterns. Go for the D60, it's less trouble and more upgradable in the future.

Ya know, the clunking may be a problem, but I have known many 9.25 rear axles to go for years and many miles without any issues while clunking. I guess I personally wouldn't be scared of buying one that clunks or having a 9.25 break on me because it clunks unless it is really high mileage.

The biggest thing that sucks about the 9.25 is the lack of good gear selections.

[freak007]

IMO it's NOT a bad diff, just as strong as the D44, 8 3/4 or ford 9" but harder to work on. Not as strong as a D60, but has more ground clearance... for what you are doing I would use it

[GearheadJLM]

Great thanks for the replys! I figured it'd be better then using my ford 7.5 and cheaper then finding an alternative, I also have an Ford 8.8 out of a Crown Vic, but that would need completely overalhauled anyway, but it has smaller breaks and just would be a lot more work. I think that this 9.25 will work good for my application, but does anybody know of a complany who makes a conversion u joint? Thanks for the replies!

~Joe

[BIG98XJ]

heres a good comparison chart

[GearheadJLM]

Now what is a common problem with this axle? Why would it most likely have been replaced off of a new durango? There seems to be no slop in the pinion, spins nicely. Could it have been the "clunk." The person who gave it to me claimed that it had a bad pinion bearing. I could spend to money now and rebuild it or I could just say fuck it throw it one for now, buy a d44 for the front and rebuilt this axle later. What would be a better option, rebuild it and keep a d30 in front or say fuck it and replace the d30 in front? I'm only trying to get this thing rolling again because the transmission went out on my bronco and I need a vehicle to get my to work, I would rather invest into this, it wont be wheeled any time soon. Opinions?

I hope I'm not high jacking this thread?

Thanks

[cannoncrawler]

I ran a 9.25 rear on 2 different ramchargers. I welded both rear ends

I ran 40 inch tires and never broke anything!!! I feel like I beat the crap out of those axles and never had any issue!!!

[BIG98XJ]

here is the chart I meant to put up http://xj.no-ip.org/axle.html

[GearheadJLM]

Originally Posted by BIG98XJ

here is the chart I meant to put up http://xj.no-ip.org/axle.html

Thanks nice chart! YA I am going to throw it on there as is until I get the money to rebuild it.