9" front end conversion

[tdimick]

i want to know how to convert a ford 9" rear end to a front end, i have 2 and i want to make one my front axcel, any info will help
thank you

[pepdaddy]

It's easy, if replacing bolth tubes and adding D60 ends is some thing your into. Currie is the only one I've ever heard of using 9" for front ends. Then only with the high pinon set-up. You would be miles ahead to just buy or find a D44 or D60. <IMG SRC="smilies/jester.gif" border="0">

[BBrianR]

check under my user profile for my web page,
I did a complet write up on the building of a hybrid 9"/D60F axle.

You can click on the link and it will connect you to the article.
B

[nobronco]

What center section did you use? Was it a stock ford section or a currie 8.8 reverse rotation? John

[Oatmeal]

Look under the axle build up section, it'll give you an idea about whats involved.........Hans http://sunrayengineering.com/main.html

[Aces'n'8s]

I would be careful about running a differential originally designed as a rear axle in the front. While many have made doing this sound easy and foolproof, a rear axle is designed as a REAR axle.

When a rear axle differential is placed up front, all the power from the engine/trans/t-case is now transferred to the weakest side of the ring gear i.e. the coast side. Doing this wears out the ring and pinion relatively quick. They do not recieve the proper lubrication as they were not designed for this application. This is why most MAJOR axle manufacturers use "reverse cut" or "reverse rotation" ring and pinions in their front axles.

There are exceptions. Currie Enterprises and HI-9 make high pinion differentials designed for front, reverse rotation applications. And there are gears for these center sections. However, these are not inexpensive alternatives. Like Pepdaddy said, a much more viable choice would be to find a D44 or D60. But, if you are set on a 9" up front go for it...just post your pics.

[Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Aces'n'8s

I would be careful about running a differential originally designed as a rear axle in the front. While many have made doing this sound easy and foolproof, a rear axle is designed as a REAR axle.

When a rear axle differential is placed up front, all the power from the engine/trans/t-case is now transferred to the weakest side of the ring gear i.e. the coast side. Doing this wears out the ring and pinion relatively quick. They do not recieve the proper lubrication as they were not designed for this application. This is why most MAJOR axle manufacturers use "reverse cut" or "reverse rotation" ring and pinions in their front axles.

There are exceptions. Currie Enterprises and HI-9 make high pinion differentials designed for front, reverse rotation applications. And there are gears for these center sections. However, these are not inexpensive alternatives. Like Pepdaddy said, a much more viable choice would be to find a D44 or D60. But, if you are set on a 9" up front go for it...just post your pics.

Dude, just about every solid front axle in just about every earlier 4X4 WAS a rear axle in a front axle application...no modified oiling and running on the coast side of the gear (Ford high pinion 44s and 60s being the exceptions) besides, it's not like you're driving on it daily, I take that back, the full time rigs of the 70s did .........Hans

[Aces'n'8s]

Originally Posted by Oatmeal

Dude, just about every solid front axle in just about every earlier 4X4 WAS a rear axle in a front axle application...no modified oiling and running on the coast side of the gear (Ford high pinion 44s and 60s being the exceptions) besides, it's not like you're driving on it daily, I take that back, the full time rigs of the 70s did .........Hans

Yes...and once vehicles were powered by steam engines. Innovation and technology changed all that.

My point was this, if someone is going to take the time to build a custom front end, why take the risk of installing a low pinion diff. that runs on the coast side of the ring gear?

Pressing new tubes, knuckles, etc. into rear axles to convert them to front axle duty is nothing new. I understand the advantages of running a 9" as a front axle...overall strength, drop-out diff, etc. But what about cruising in 4HI, high-speed runs through/over obstacles, etc. for any length of time?

People build whatever suits THEIR needs. Thereby, build whatever YOU want.

[AKBroncoII]

have you thought of the true hi-9 case? A true 9'' case instead of the currie crap. Just a thought.

[JJS]

x2 for building up a 44 or 60 front instead.

[Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Aces'n'8s

But what about cruising in 4HI, high-speed runs through/over obstacles, etc. for any length of time?

Isn't that what the full time trucks, Blazers, Broncos,Ramchargers,Quadra Trac equipped Jeeps........did at highway speeds on a daily basis ............Hans

[Aces'n'8s]

Originally Posted by Oatmeal

Isn't that what the full time trucks, Blazers, Broncos,Ramchargers,Quadra Trac equipped Jeeps........did at highway speeds on a daily basis ............Hans

Yes but the Bronco's, with the exception of some early model Broncos were high-pinion axles. Regarding the "hi-9" comment, go back and read my post, I listed the HI-9 and the Currie as options. As for the Currie, you are most certainly entitled to your opinion.

For the full time 4x4's, part time conversion kits solved that problem.

[Gummi Bear]

Sunray is the only manufacturer that I'd trust with a 9" front axle. Good folks. I have one of their rear axles, and a 609 is on the wish list.

I'm not sure that they've had many (if any) failures. Call em up and talk about it.

[Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Aces'n'8s

For the full time 4x4's, part time conversion kits solved that problem.

I wasn't implying that there was a problem, I was just rebutting your claim about the dangers of running an axle designed for rear end use up front, when all four (make that three, Ford used high pinion front ends in their full time trucks and Broncos and by the way, all of the "early" ie. 66'-77' Broncos used low pinion front ends) of the major auto manufacturers did it successfully. The part time conversions weren't for the purpose of "solving" any problems, it was just a way to achieve a little better gas mileage (turning that front axle and huge NP 203 case burned alot of extra fuel. I never made any derogatory remarks about Currie Enterprises nor do I have anything good to say about them (personal experiences).......Hans

[Aces'n'8s]

Originally Posted by Oatmeal

I wasn't implying that there was a problem, I was just rebutting your claim about the dangers of running an axle designed for rear end use up front, when all four (make that three, Ford used high pinion front ends in their full time trucks and Broncos and by the way, all of the "early" ie. 66'-77' Broncos used low pinion front ends) of the major auto manufacturers did it successfully. The part time conversions weren't for the purpose of "solving" any problems, it was just a way to achieve a little better gas mileage (turning that front axle and huge NP 203 case burned alot of extra fuel. I never made any derogatory remarks about Currie Enterprises nor do I have anything good to say about them (personal experiences).......Hans

I mistakenly thought you quoted Currie as "crap." For that, I concede. As for full time 4x4, I call excess wear on the driveline and tires, the robbing of engine performance, and lagging fuel economy.....problems.

[Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Aces'n'8s

I mistakenly thought you quoted Currie as "crap." For that, I concede. As for full time 4x4, I call excess wear on the driveline and tires, the robbing of engine performance, and lagging fuel economy.....problems.

Than I guess you would think that the new Jeeps, Landcruisers and Rovers (to name a few) have "problems" Hey, I don't really care for full time rigs, it's just that I'm an argumentative person by nature and enjoy a good fight...er..debate And no offense taken about the Currie Enterprises comment .........Hans

[vetteboy79]

I know a guy who blew up a Currie 9" front, on 38.5 SX's.

For what that's worth, which is next to nothing.

He did it grabbing gears in a part-time 4-hi drag launch while racing a Civic. Those 5.13's put up a fight. Until the ring gear exploded.

[AKBroncoII]

I have seen a few of them explode. Not personally. But I have seen the remnants of one in person.

[Blown]

The currie 9" uses 8.8 gears and thus is weaker! True Hi9 is the shiz that gets! I've researched this and came up with many manufacturers and believe the 69 will become more and more popular. The 9" is a very strong diff. and lighter than a 60 add the 60 outers with 35 spline and you got something very good and very expensive. Details of what I came up with and others here: http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...ght=ford+front