Ford 9"

[Lifelong Jeeper]

I have come across a Ford 9" rearend from an old 70's Terino (???) and will be placing it in a 98 TJ. How much should I be expecting to spend to build it into a worthy, trail ready axle. The man selling it wasn't exactly sure of the overall width of the axle and thinks it has 2.73(ish) gears. I will be placing either a Detroit or an ARB in it, (I haven't yet decided) and 4.88 gears. Rckcrlr, I know that you run a 9" in your rig, what do you think? Anybody elses input would be much appreciated. Or, do I stick with my original plan of a D44? I will be needing to sell a D35 w/ 3.73's and a lockrite. Any buyers?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Not sure about your axle but the 9" came in many different variations...

28, 31, 35 spline (I beleive the 35 was always an aftmkt upgrade)
3.00-6.50 Ratios's (possibly more, I'm just looking at aftermarket stuff)

There were also a few carrier bearing setups.

Hope that helps...

 

[Greg]

The 9" is a great axle, but it has it's downfalls.

The super low Pinion can be a PITA in a short wheelbase'd rig like a TJ, (You can always get a High Pinion 3rd from Currie). The Torino probably has 28 spline shafts, which aren't the best. You can find 31 spline shafts in the trucks & might be able to swap a set in.

Beyond that, it's probably more work & money that swapping in a Dana 44, but do what makes you happy!

 

[Caleb]

correct me if I am wrong but doesn;t the torino have disc brakes and isn;t it a different bolt pattern like 5x5"...like greg said it prolly has 28 spline axle but thats not a big deal if you are going to put in a detroit or arb cause you can choose what spline you want and then just get new shafts...the low pinion is low but I had zero problems with mine in my YJ with 6" of lift...and no WB stretch...

 

[bobdog]

The Torino rear may not be the best you can do. If it is the right width then it may be worth buying. There are so many options over the years and the aftermarket has come out with so many upgrades that you need to spend many hours researching. I personally beleive that a 9" can work great in a Jeep. People will say that the pinon is too low but I have seen so many that work with short drivlines and steep angles (CV drivshaft and proper pinion angle is a must) that I don't think it will be a problem. (Remember John Curries CJ with 454 TH400 and 9"). What a lot of people do not know is that one of the reasons the 9" is so strong is the low pinion. Go with the Currie high pinion and all the advantages of the 9" Third go away. What I would do is call around to as many aftermarket 9" builders as you can find ( look in the Hod Rod mags not just the FWD rags because some of the best do not go after the FWD market) and see what the have to offer and how much they want for their rearends. Look for big bearing ends, nodular or high performance third members, and 31 or 35 spline shafts. For a stock application look for a later truck application 76-77or78? till the end of the 9"

 

[Coreshot]

I just finished building my 9 for the rear. It's out of a '79 F-150, 65 inches WMS-WMS. Paid $350 for it and a HP D44 out of the same truck. I just ordered a complete third member from Randy's R&P. 5.13s and a Detriot. Cost like $700. Pretty sweet doing it this way, 'cuz you don't have to pay to have it set up after you get the parts.

 

[Milner]

Yes the pinion is low, but it is short, so angle wise it is works out.
(btw the 454yj was Frank Curries, It is in Petersens Museum)
Torino should be 31 spline, but with Ford you never know. Depending on tire size and right foot, 31 is ok. Alloy 31's are better, alloy 35 are COOL. I have broke 31's, but.......
I don't like ARB's in anything, but esspecially a 9". The design of the carrier does not allow the use of big enough gears and lock rigs to hold up to the strength of the rest of the axle. 31 spline detroits can be found on the net for around $250, they are NASCAR take outs, generally 1-2 races is all that is on them. I know several people that have them, no probs.

To go to 35 spline is $$$$, and honestly, might as well build a 60, unless you just have to have a 9" (get your mind out of the Gutter). You need to get a new dropin with larger carrier bearings, and the shafts. You can expect a Dropin with a 35 spline det, gear of choice and hd pinion support to be $1200 set up ready to go. Alloy shafts about $400 for the pair. But is is lighter than a 60, and I have seen them hold 1000+ HP in drag cars.......You can always go 40 spline and a spool!!

HTH

 

[bobdog]

Originally posted by rckcrlr
Yes the pinion is low, but it is short, so angle wise it is works out.
(btw the 454yj was Frank Curries, It is in Petersens Museum)


HTH

Franks was YJ with 383 aluminum small block, red. John had a CJ 454 and a TH400, white with bubble gum graphics. I ran a trail with both of them in the early 90s and am sure who had which.

 

[Milner]

I'll Have to do some digging, sure that Franks was rodac alluminum BB and Johns was a SB. ........ I Could be wrong??

 

[SnwMnkys]

The Torino should be 55" wide, at least for the late 60s model, you found a 70 so im not sure if its wider or not. Torinos were also sort of a medium bearing, the flanged measures 3 1/2" x 2" where as the Big bearing measures 3 1/2 x 2 3/8 and the small bearing 3 3/8" x 2". I was checking out Torino axles over the weekend at pick n pull and they look like theyre trussed like the Late 70s F150 9" the Early Bronco axle isnt trussed so the housing isnt as heavy duty. I dont think you will have any problem with the 9" axle in a vehicle as light as a TJ and behind a 6 cylinder. Look at Weldnmn on POR, he runs 28 splines and has never broken an axle shaft, and hes Wildhorses4x4s guinea pig, they let him test out all there new products. I picked up a 28 spline detroit on Ebay for $310, a R&P kit from 4 wheel parts in SLC for $70 (tell them youre poor and theyll knock 10% off) the only other thing you would need is a Ring and pinion setup for around $150 and youd have a good axle for under $600. If you have to get 31 spline axles then dont get a fullsize and get it narrowed, Summit has a Moser axle kit that i think is $350, plus it comes with Bearings, most places you have to buy them seperate, and i hear Moser rolls there splines when making the axle shafts instead of cutting them like everyone else which is weaker.

 

[BOB-CAT]

I have a complete Ford 9 out of a Bronco. If you have not picked one up yet 65 wide welded locked , 350 gears if you are interested 200 bucks and it is yours
BOB-CAT

 

[Cody]

I run a 9" from a 78 bronco. Big bearing, 31 spline, disk brakes, spool.

The full spool is cheap and strong and, like everyone else said, a 31 spline setup behind a light rig w/ a 6 banger should be more than enough axle. I have a 318 and 37's and I don't worry about mine at all. When or if it breaks, I'll get some alloy shafts. Maybe one day I'll go to 35 spline, but only if I have major problems breaking what I have now.

Disk brake conversions are cheap and easy too. Even i did most of it myself so it must be pretty easy.

Cody

 

[Lifelong Jeeper]

Thank you for all of your input. Due to an unforseen release from my job of 5 years I am holding off on a new axle for a bit longer. But hey, more time to research the best setup Right?! This site is great! Anybody hiring?

Ryan Brimley