Looking at swapping my Chrysler 8.25 for a ford 9. There seem to be a lot of different options between the 9". Is there any special one I need to be looking for. I'd hate to go buy one and not be able to use it. Any useful information would be great help.
jeep xj 9" swap HELP!
- Thread starter JP_ProAm
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2005
- Location
- Hendersonville, NC
What are you wanting to end up with as far as width, bolt pattern and spline count? What size tires and what is your wheeling style?
A 29 spline 8.25 is a pretty solid axle
A 29 spline 8.25 is a pretty solid axle
Lee
ECGS
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2005
- Location
- Louisburg NC
Also remember that a junkyard 9" is not necessarily an upgrade. Stock housings are weak and so are non nodular thirds. If you are tight on funds and not building a third from the numerous aftermarket options try to find a stock case with an "n" stamped on it.
XJsavage
CounterCulture
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2009
- Location
- Lyle's Ford SC
Any 9" is a straight toward swap. If you're keeping the 30 front, you can also go 8.8 rear to have same lug pattern. A car 9" will probably be to narrow (out of my realm). A truck 9 will be 65" wms and a van 9 is 68". I've wheeled both of those axles and they took everything I could throw at it with 35-37's and a compleyely stock 9 even with a non N case was the only thing in my rig that DIDNT break. IMO, its pointless to go with a 9 unless you're going HP 44 front.
I really don't get to wheel much due to work and children, most I get it out is when it snows. I put a Rusty's long arm kit a few yrs back, and now bump steers bad, so I don't really drive on the road any more. As for the 9", my neighbor has one laying in his yard and I've heard a lot people use them. I would like to have the benefit of limited slip, but I don't know if this one has it. Lockers are so dam expensive, I was thinking this would be a cheaper option for me. Two my gear is to high, I can barely run fourth gear. Money, money, money!
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Loganwayne
#BTL
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2013
- Location
- Clyde, North Carolina
A 9in isn't the same width as a stock axles a better bet would be find a 8.8 with limited slip
ol'Jeeps
Dirty Jeeps...Done Dirt Cheap!
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2006
- Location
- Hickory, NC
As was stated... 8.25 is a pretty good axle.
I wouldn't swap anything in, until you're ready to spend some $$ on lockers, gears and such. A free 9" isn't free by the time you get it up to strength. (Especially if the one you have is a 28 spline!)
And IMHO, an 8.8 would be a better fit, less expensive swap.
I wouldn't swap anything in, until you're ready to spend some $$ on lockers, gears and such. A free 9" isn't free by the time you get it up to strength. (Especially if the one you have is a 28 spline!)
And IMHO, an 8.8 would be a better fit, less expensive swap.