Ford 9 inch... Can it be used as a front axle?

Jeepjunky87

Jeepjunky87

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Aug 4, 2013
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N. Raleigh
Does anyone have any info on converting a ford 9" rear end into a front axle with steering? Any ZJ guys done this? Or 8.8?? I can put my hands on both....
 
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Just buy a center section, weld some tubes then some inner C's. It's a lot easier than you think. Research, google, pirate4x4 will have all your answers you need. But it's not hard building an axle for anything.
 
braxton357 said:
It can easily be done, but not for less than the cost of a Dana 60…
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All depends if you're going to do chromoly shafts, locker and gears in the 60. That's easily $2k, both axles will need brackets welded on. Finding a f250 front d50 and using the inner c's (they are the same as ball joint 60 C's) then take a junk yard 9inch housing. Might be able to even reuse the tubes from the f250 since is going under a ZJ. You have to get creative and be pretty competent with fabbing to do it. You could probably do it and have gears lockers and maybe even chromo shafts for $1500.
 
iwaxmyjimmy said:
All depends if you're going to do chromoly shafts, locker and gears in the 60. That's easily $2k, both axles will need brackets welded on. Finding a f250 front d50 and using the inner c's (they are the same as ball joint 60 C's) then take a junk yard 9inch housing. Might be able to even reuse the tubes from the f250 since is going under a ZJ. You have to get creative and be pretty competent with fabbing to do it. You could probably do it and have gears lockers and maybe even chromo shafts for $1500.
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And then you break the pinion support.

The 9" is a great diff, but you can spend over $1500 just making the third reliable.
 
shawn said:
And then you break the pinion support.

The 9" is a great diff, but you can spend over $1500 just making the third reliable.
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It could be a laundry list, all depending on tire size usage, driving style.
 
iwaxmyjimmy said:
It could be a laundry list, all depending on tire size usage, driving style.
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No, not exactly. Your grandma could break a stock 9" chunk. It really just comes down to bad luck.

Oh, and since we're talking 'budget' swaps, I'm assuming a high pinion third is off the table. In that case, don't forget about the $500 driveshaft that you'll need to reach the 9" pinion way down there in the dirt.
 
shawn said:
No, not exactly. Your grandma could break a stock 9" chunk. It really just comes down to bad luck.

Oh, and since we're talking 'budget' swaps, I'm assuming a high pinion third is off the table. In that case, don't forget about the $500 driveshaft that you'll need to reach the 9" pinion way down there in the dirt.
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Yeah that's a good point. Those hi-9 thirds aren't cheap and the currie ones ditch the 3rd support bearing. What size tire is this guy running anyway?
 
paradisepwoffroad has a "609" for sale. PM him!.

Yes... know the "hi-nines" aren't really 9" ring and pinions. They are 8.8 ring and pinions, which have no pinion support.

I would recommend getting a nodular iron pig. I built a hi-nine in a rear that has been mercilessly abused for a couple of years with 38" tires with no issues.
 
ol'Jeeps said:
paradisepwoffroad has a "609" for sale. PM him!.

Yes... know the "hi-nines" aren't really 9" ring and pinions. They are 8.8 ring and pinions, which have no pinion support.

I would recommend getting a nodular iron pig. I built a hi-nine in a rear that has been mercilessly abused for a couple of years with 38" tires with no issues.
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For the record, that's the curry high pinion 9". The "hi nine" by truehi9 is virtually the same as a high end 9" center section just with reverse cut gears.
 
braxton357 said:
For the record, that's the curry high pinion 9". The "hi nine" by truehi9 is virtually the same as a high end 9" center section just with reverse cut gears.
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Yeah they are a little limited by gear ratios but more than likely really strong. I don't have any first hand experience with them though.
 
braxton357 said:
For the record, that's the curry high pinion 9". The "hi nine" by truehi9 is virtually the same as a high end 9" center section just with reverse cut gears.
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And while we're correcting the record, it's Currie ;)

You can pick up a complete nodular 3rd member with whatever gears you want, detroit locker, daytona pinion support, and other nascar goodies for about $800-900 from the nascar shops. They are out of stock at http://www.roushyatesparts.com/Used-Racing-Products-s/108.htm but check ebay.
 
My opinion only.
Kingpin 60. Do not look back.
YMMV.
 
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