bullet-proof 9"

[colohoopty]

Yeah.........I wish! J/K. Anyway, I'm trying to line parts up for my return to the states, but I'm having a bit of a dilemna. I'm pretty sure I have a 9" rear end, but I'm not exactly sure. Most other Broncos of the year as mine, that have the 351 have a 9" rear. But I've been researching, and I've found a few exceptions where there was actually an 8.8 in the rear. I haven't been able to cross-reference my VIN successfully, and the vehicle info, normally found on the door sill is no more. SO, hoping that I do have the 9" rear, can I rebuild it to a Dana 60? I haven't been able to find any kits that flat-out state this so, is it possible? Or is there a rebuild kit that would be comparable? I've resigned myself to probably buying a new 3rd member, custom, which is where all the good stuff is, but, I want to make sure all my components will work w/ whatever shafts I get. I want this thing to be bullet proof now, even though the rear I have now is strong enough for my 35s, I plan on going to 38s-39s when my current tread wears down, so I'd like to have all the work done now and not worry about it when the new rubber gets put on. Any suggestions or links would be appreciated.........thanx. :?

[Glass]

If you want a Dana 60, you have to get a dana 60...The 9" is completly different from a dana axle..

There is no way to build a 9" to be a dana 60...If youre looking for dana 60 strength..you could probabally get close with a dana 60..

If you really want bulletproof, find a dana 70, and build it.

--John

[colohoopty]

I know a 9" is a 9".............I guess what I am trying to say is, what shafts are available AND comparable to a 60. I don't want to spend too much now on an all new set-up, if I can get by for a few years w/ existing materials, as opposed to trying and find a 60 out of a junkyard, getting it built, and THEN, having to get it mounted. That alone, the install, would run quite a pretty penny, which as is usually the case, I don't have right now. Considering the build-up, new springs, shocks(probably just get sway-a-way coil-overs), then dealing with mounting that, if I'm going w/ that spring/shock set-up, I'll need to build a new 3 or 4 link susp..................it just gets too involved for the budget right now. I just need something that can handle a week in Moab w/o breaking and get me home while utilizing a locker since I'll be driving it there and back. It's not yet trailer worthy. :lol: Besides, most of my budget needs to sit for the front-end.....SAS. I KNOW that's gonna be a nightmare, which is why I'm trying to stay as low as I can on the rear, but still get something capable of handling 38/39s down the road.

Rick

[rino351]

if you want more strength in the shafts, get chromally shafts or somethin like that. I've heard that warn shafts are pretty dang beefy.

[Glass]

I know some 9" housings take bigger bearings, and bigger shafts than some others do, but i do not know how to tell them apart...other than pulling an axle, and measuring it. There are also alot of different spline counts for the axles..I do not know if more ,or less spline is better.

[rino351]

more spline is better. for the D44 that I have, there were two available 27 and 30 and I got the 30. There are shafts available that go to 42 spline or somethin crazy like that for the 9"

[cory]

tell ya what, hurry up and get to denver and lets hit pull and save.
the last two weeks there have been some serious parts, sooo many parts sooo little money

[bassdude]

you can build a 9" to be as strong or stronger than a 60. Warn full floater kit, 35 spline shafts ect.. all it takes is money :mrgreen:

[colohoopty]

I haven't been able to find anything from Warn, but I have found a 35 spline from Mosier Extreme w/ a 10yr warranty on the shafts. Also, Yukon has a 35 spline shaft set, and I've heard nothing but good things, so far, about them. Plus, some of the Fords I've seen in TTC had Yukons. Unfortunately, I haven't seen anything higher in spline count than these two sets. Another thing though Cory, is I still have another couple of months here, plus possibly, another few in NC before the pilgrimage. Therefore, any fun to be had in the yard will have to wait. However, I would definitely like to do this as "budget friendly" as possible, so, could I get any volunteers w/ some experience w/ axles and such to sign up now for the build when I get home? Of course, beer/drinks/liquids and food(probably steaks or the like) will be supplied. My only concern as I stated before, is having it ready for a week in Moab.


Also, what ratio gears should I go that'll handle 38/39s and still not have me screaming @ high RPMs going down the highway? I've found some @ 4wheelparts.com ranging from 4.88-5.83. Can a tranny shop do anything about third gear in an auto, or is there an overdrive kit around? I don't claim to be tranny-savy, so I won't even try anything like that on my own.

Anyway, back to the subject @ hand. I HAVE found some shafts, I HAVE found a Detroit Locker to match them, and I HAVE found gears. Bassdude.....where have you seen these Warn full floaters, cause that's really piqued my interest? That's kinda what I want to go w/ because you can still limp off the trail w/ the good side.

[bassdude]

crap, i can't find the kit anywhere. i know i've seen them. it was the first full floater kit warn came out with. maybe they're discontinued? you should do a search on Pirate BB maybe some one else knows where to get them or maybe another company has them. just make sure you search first and don't go near general chit chat and you'll be ok.

[cd75hors]

I thought those Broncos came with 8.8" rear ends, I could be wrong, you own one not me. I have a 9" and wouldn't mind a Dana 60 or 35 spline alloy axels for the 9". Depending on what year of vehicle you find it could have big bearing 9". I believe the 76-77 Broncos have them. Check out http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/22.asp they have a little description of the axels.

[Warrlord]

Wow, I didn't catch this thread the first time around.

A 9" can be BUILT to be stronger than a D60 but it costs buku mula. Of course a D60 built with 35 splines would be very strong but it would cost a lot of mula too.

You can get 40 spline axles & lockers & spools for a 9" to make it tougher than a D60 but you have to get the custom made "High Pinion" version 9".

Check THIS (http://performanceunlimited.com/illustrations/gears.html) out. read everything & you'll find out why a D60 will not be as strong as that built 9".

HERE (http://www.truehi9.com/) is another one.

Just thought I'd provide the links & let ya judge for yourself.

[colohoopty]

warrlord...............anybody.............OK, I know what a 9" looks like, but I've also read that some 8.8s look like a 9". However, the only pic I can find of an 8.8, it looked nothing like a 9", having the standard rear diff cover and bolts. No third member. So, unless anyone knows for a fact that they've made the 8.8 that had the third member, or has a pic of an 8.8 that looks like a 9", I'm going to assume my truck's got the 9". I'm going to be back in the states in 2 weeks, so now I really need some help on this so I can get the parts ordered soon............thanks, rick

[Warrlord]

If you "do not" have a rear diff cover on your Bronco............you "HAVE" a 9"

[colohoopty]

that's what i wanted to hear :D

[mtroast]

I would be willing to donate the oil for this big 9".
Let me know when you will need it.
I'll give you some AMSOIL Severe Gear 75w-140
if you want to try it. You want to protect all that work.

[colohoopty]

ok............got the parts in the mail the other day, now I'm just looking for a shop to have it installed. I'd do the work myself, but I don't want to mess w/ the lash in the ring and pinion, ifm I screw it up, I'll have no warranty protection either.