School me on the Ford 9"

cburgin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
statesville/boone NC
Building my YJ on 35s for a weekend wheeler for me and my son.

Running a wide trac d44 front that is about 64 inches and looking for a 9" rear. Never ran one in all the rigs I have had so I figured I better ask what to look for when searching. Will be running 5.13s locked FRT/REAR.
 
If you're heart set on one, you will NEED a good center section. The OEM ones will not hold up. Go ahead and budget for a center section like a Strange. 31 spline will be plenty strong enough for 35s. The ring gear bolts like to back out on a 9", so look into preventative measures there too.
 
Pinion guard they have a low pinion that likes rocks and see above....
 
@77GreenMachine built the one in his & @Van-go old YJ so he can prob drop some knowledge

But the diff-man himself has already spoken so I'd listen to him
 
What Jody said. First trip to URE after building mine (many years ago), the center section cracked open. Had to pull the rear driveshaft and drive it home in front wheel drive. Bought a used Strange center section from ECGS, no troubles since.
 
X2 on the center section. Bought a nodular 3rd from ECGS and it was golden. That, combined with 1541H 31 spline shafts is a solid setup, although I went 35 spline but that was an accident. The 31 spline shafts with a good center section it very strong.

Since mine had an SYE, the rear pinion was pointed up at the transfer case so that helped with clearance but 100% put a pinion guard on it.

Shoot I have a box in my garage with a locker and some other stuff in it I think.
 
Zoom in on the caps, they’re pure beef. I kept blowing the factory ones out.
CFB8481B-C3BB-4408-AB03-B777090DE594.jpeg
 
Jody Treadway said:
If you're heart set on one,
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Curious on what you prefer or recommend over the 9" that has no c - clips, stout R & P and can run strong shafts like the 35 spline ones. To me it's one of the best axles out there except the pinion.
 
Jody Treadway said:
If you're heart set on one, you will NEED a good center section. The OEM ones will not hold up. Go ahead and budget for a center section like a Strange. 31 spline will be plenty strong enough for 35s. The ring gear bolts like to back out on a 9", so look into preventative measures there too.
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Its not set at all. Any other opinions/options will be greatly appreciated. This will never be built past 35s. I have already been down that road and just want to keep it simple this time for me and my boy. Also drivetrain is stock 4.0L/Ax15/231. I will look for a Rubicon case along the way.
 
Jody Treadway said:
And the thin tubes, weak center section, drum brakes, etc.
An aftermarket center in a fabbed housing is tits. OEM leaves a lot to be desired for wheeling
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Agreed on fabbed housing. Disk breaks are an easy bolt on fix.
 
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ghost said:
Curious on what you prefer or recommend over the 9" that has no c - clips, stout R & P and can run strong shafts like the 35 spline ones. To me it's one of the best axles out there except the pinion.
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JK Rubi 44
 
Bebop said:
IDK why you're all against C-Clips.

Get a F150 8.8.

Cheap, super strong what what it is and will 100% hold up to 35s
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And if you do manage to break it, a disk brake one could most likely be limped off the trail with the brakes holding the axle in.
 
I'm the weirdo I reckon. Me and another fella have run 9 inch rears with 35's with great success. Full carrier locker and 28 spline in one 31 spline in the other.
Factory carriers and home fabbed brackets to run dana 44 calipers front and rear. Used a Lincoln car rotor modified to fit axles.
One was a full sized Bronco. Other was Ranger and B2. One was full width the other Classic Bronco width.
Mine has a truss on the back and a drain added.
Tire were BFG muds and TSL/Sx swampers.

We definitely don't wheel like most but they did what we needed. Most might refer to us as more overlanders. The camping and long point to point trail rides was more our style.
 
Bring me $1000 and leave with this. Youll be $$$ ahead when you grab a SD front later
nc4x4.com

Built Sterling for sale

Yea me, I get to have a dental implant after Christmas (prayers please :rolleyes:). Gonna dump a few things I have laying around to lessen the pain a bit. 99-04 Super Duty SRW Sterling. 4.56 gears, Yukon Grizzly, trussed, setup for 4 link, Dynatrac cover, OEM ebrake intact, 100% complete. 8 on...
nc4x4.com nc4x4.com
 
Jody Treadway said:
Bring me $1000 and leave with this. Youll be $$$ ahead when you grab a SD front later
nc4x4.com

Built Sterling for sale

Yea me, I get to have a dental implant after Christmas (prayers please :rolleyes:). Gonna dump a few things I have laying around to lessen the pain a bit. 99-04 Super Duty SRW Sterling. 4.56 gears, Yukon Grizzly, trussed, setup for 4 link, Dynatrac cover, OEM ebrake intact, 100% complete. 8 on...
nc4x4.com nc4x4.com
Click to expand...
Link doesn't work and couldn't find the thread with a search either.
 
I agree with @Jody Treadway by the time you spend the coin to do the things we mentioned to a 9”, you could start with a better axle.

However if you are just cruising Uwharrie style trails on 35s, you probably be fine with nothing more than a pinion guard. But if there’s the slightest chance you might get hooked and build bigger later, just start with a better axle.
 
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