9 inch rear end info and help

[cutlassboy88]

what is a ford 9 inch rear end :shock:
and what all cars have them .........i bout to start my off frame project and trying to get everything i need 1st and my friend told me i should put a 9 inch rear end in my 1988 cutlass.........should i my engine is a 350 with 350 trans im not racing or anything ..........and how much will is cost.........i was thinking bout just clean my stock one up and put it back on ....dont know a lot bout cars so im learning as i go

 

[megaladon6]

the ford 9 was used on cars and trucks, it has a 9in pinion gear and is very strong. the greatest advantage is that you can remove and replace the center gears in about 1/2 an hour--without removing the entire axle.
most people (like your friend) have this knee jerk reaction to put a ford 9 into everything, but it's not necessary.
while the 9 is very strong, it's not much stronger than a GM 12bolt, and it takes more power to turn.
for your engine combo, i wouldn't even go that far. get a GM 8.5in rear. they can be found in grand nationals and other top end g-body's. or you could have one setup from another car. they are plenty strong.

 

[Elky81]

the ford 9 was used on cars and trucks, it has a 9in pinion gear and is very strong. the greatest advantage is that you can remove and replace the center gears in about 1/2 an hour--without removing the entire axle.
most people (like your friend) have this knee jerk reaction to put a ford 9 into everything, but it's not necessary.
while the 9 is very strong, it's not much stronger than a GM 12bolt, and it takes more power to turn.
for your engine combo, i wouldn't even go that far. get a GM 8.5in rear. they can be found in grand nationals and other top end g-body's. or you could have one setup from another car. they are plenty strong.[/quote


X2

 

[565bbchevy]

For a 350 sbc that is not going to be raced and is probably a very mild build I would just get a carrier and a gear for the stock rear end. Just drive it to a ring and pinion shop and have them install it.
I had an Auburn carrier and Richmond gears in my stock rear in an 83 Monte for quite a few years with a built 496 big block, I never ran slicks and it never broke and I even sold it for around $600 after I put my 9 inch in.

 

[Wile E]

Check with your local roundy/roundy guys, making a 9" work in a G-body is pretty common. Having the axle tubes cut down, the spring perches and the control arm ears welded on is whats needed. Factory axles can be cut & resplined, then your just looking to have the axle flange re-drilled for 4.75 bolt pattern. Next you'll need to scrounge up a salvage yard center section if your trying to save money. The 9" in my Elky was done local. Having the housing made to fit and stock 31 spline axles redone was less then $400.00 (I did have to supply the core which was about $125.00 from the salvage yard. I had the center section (trac-loc) freshed up for about $90.00, we re-used the factory gears (3.50's) because they were in great shape. You'll probally need a shortend driveshaft and some re-drilled drums, again no biggee. However...565bbchevy is right, is all this neccesary? Total cost, brakes, driveshaft and all, maybe 700-800, it's been a while 6-7 years ago. Best part was we did it a little at a time, Housing one payday, axles another and so-on. Not a "built" high end race piece, but done on a budget for a non-race car. I'm happy with it.
Here's what it looked like when I mocked it up, bolted right in.

 

[bigalturk1]

Go with the 9", I never blown one.
The last car I put one in was my 66' El Camino (I also have it on my 39' Ford (Chevy powered Street rod) and will be installing one on my 1985 Chevy Stepside. I bought mine from MOSER Engineering. it's an exact bolt up, you can even get it wider or narrower (To fit wider tires). You can pick the(Lug-nut) bolt pattern you want. No more worrying about bad axle bearings, or the C-clip breaking and the axle sliding out either. You will need to get the drive shaft shorten and use a "Conversion" U-joint (One half GM the other half Ford). Mention what kind of backing plates your using and they'll make it fit perfectly.
FYI...The way to tell a 9" Ford rear end from an 8" Ford rear end is the bottom bolt on the "Chuck" cannot be loosened with a ratchet & socket, you have to use a box wrench.
Also... if the Ring & Pinion ever as to much gearlash, you can screw one side in more to get the correct end play, w/o buying a shim kit.
If you had 500plus horsepower, then I'd say, buy a Dana rear end.
Hope this helps!

 

[GhettoRacingKid]

it comes down to money. Do you have the cash and want to spend it?

you can spend like $4000 on a 9" but you can use the 7.5 stock rear in your car if its just a cruiser. it will hold up for a really long time.

What are your plans for the car in the end