Ford 9 inch Swap

[Ga Yota 4x4]

I've got a Ford 9inch laying around and was wondering if you guys would recommend swapping it for my stock rear end? Pro & cons? Can I use it with my stock front axle? Read some other website ravings about a Ford 8.8 swap. and thought the 9inch might be even better. :Mechanic: Any info is appreciated!

It's an 87 Wrangler, 4.2 6cyl., 5spd.

 

[robert j. yates]

The 9 is a great axle but the low pinion will drive you crazy on 2 things...first if itas going into a SWB Jeep, you will have to look real close at driveshaft bind and then once you are driving it, you will probably want to fabricate some type of protection for the yoke and driveshaft at the pinion as it hangs down really low and thends to grab the rocks.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

You can point it to the t case and integrate a CV joint into the driveshaft. It is a great light super strong axle, for what its worth.... Necessary swap though, I dunno...

 

[kjp98TJ]

along with what robert said, what's the bolt pattern of the 9? more than likely will have to run adapters, or get new shafts made up.

i've been running an 8.8 in my TJ for about 3 years now. one of the best mods i've done. same bolt pattern, close to same width, disc brakes, common jeep ratios, very strong. for leaf springs, it's even easier.

 

[ntsqd]

What the axle came out of is crucial as far as the bolt pattern goes. Ford used the 5x4.5" BC on a lot of their smaller cars. Larger cars got 5x5" BC, EB's and the semi-rare F-100 9" got the 5x5.5" BC

Width-wise I think the small car hsgs will be the closest to fitting correctly. Otherwise you're looking at some fab that needs special tooling and then having the axles either re-splined or made new.

That low pinion is great for strength, but bad for keeping the driveshaft out of the rocks and creating the potential for binding of the U-J's. Second going to a CV type shaft with a 9"

 

[robert j. yates]

You can point it to the t case and integrate a CV joint into the driveshaft.

Thats pretty much mandatory and I guess I should have been a bit more clear....it may even be necessary to have the CV clearanced a bit or else have travel limited via bumpstop.

 

[jeepboyd]

I just did a similar thing to my TJ. One word of advice price out everything you want to put into the axle (9in) the price the same thing in a d44 or 8.8 from an axle builder. I did this and was close enough in price to buy the 44 from a builder. can you say warranty!

 

[goodtimes]

The reason people like the 8.8 so much is that it is virtually a bolt in conversion for a YJ. I believe they are sourcing the axles from an Exploder???

Swapping in the 9" is fairly common, but a lot more work than the 8.8.

As mentioned, be sure to price everything, locker, shafts, gears, brakes, etc. There is a reason those D60's are still in the back yard instead of under my jeep...the cost of building them is prohibitive for my needs.

 

[BigAl]

If you are staying SUA you can pretty cheaply put in front and rear waggy dana44s. Around me I can find set for ~$200. You can find 3.31s pretty easy which would give your 258 a little more snap, 4.10s are out there but harder to find. Mine are holding up great to ritualistic beatings on 36s. I'm running a full spool in the rear and mini spool up front and haven't broken any thing yet. You have to modify/move the perches, but otherwise it's very straight forward for SUA

 

[Fergie]

Stay away from the 9" housings that came in cars. They are lighter duty, with weaker tubes.

Ideally, you want one from a truck, 31 spline(corerct me if I'm wrong here), and a "big bearing" version at that.

Also consider a 2wd, non-prerunner Tacoma axle. They are the correct BP and the right WMS-WMS for you application.

 

[Tanto]

The 9" is popular with Grand Cherokee guys because they are strong enough to run 33"-35" tires & push a heavy LWB Grand around. Incidentally many of the Grands come with a d44a in the rear which is perfect for a SWB wrangler. If your 9" has disc brakes and the right spline you could talk someone into a swap.





No you can't have my d44a, I still like my quadradrive system. Works great with 32" tires.

 

[Fergie]

The 9" is popular with Grand Cherokee guys because they are strong enough to run 33"-35" tires & push a heavy LWB Grand around. Incidentally many of the Grands come with a d44a in the rear which is perfect for a SWB wrangler. If your 9" has disc brakes and the right spline you could talk someone into a swap.





No you can't have my d44a, I still like my quadradrive system. Works great with 32" tires.

SPOBI

D44a are not considered an upgrade. The 44a does not have the aftermarket support that a regular D44 has, and is significantly weaker due to the "A" designation.

Also, many naysayers mention the low pinion of the 9". This is a love/hate kind of thing. Sure, you lose the clearance, but that is nothing that a yoke guard can't solve. Also, with the low pinion so low, you have more contact between the teeth on the gear. If these are large factors for you, then that is a plus.

Basically, if you have a spare one laying around, use it if it is what you need. If not, spend the money elsewhere.

 

[Ga Yota 4x4]

The reason people like the 8.8 so much is that it is virtually a bolt in conversion for a YJ. I believe they are sourcing the axles from an Exploder???

Swapping in the 9" is fairly common, but a lot more work than the 8.8.

Not sure of the bolt pattern, but it seems like based on the info provided that the 8.8 or Dana 44 may be a better swap for my level of experience.

Thanks all for the help!

 

[jeepboyd]

the explorer 8.8 has the same 5x4.5 bolt pattern as the d35 you currently have now.