9" Tolerance level

[softballnrd27]

How much abuse do you think a stock Ford 9" housing from a mid 80's truck stand up to? I plan to brace it and shorten it to make a 15x12 rim w/5"bs and29x15r15 tires tuck on a 85 C10. Is it worth the extra $400(the price difference to shorten my current housing) to upgrade to a Currie Fab9 housing? I am not sure what the future holds for this truck but I would like the drivetrain built to last. I can probably make up the price difference by selling my current 9" with posi and 31 spline axles, I am just not sure if the fab9 is overkill or added insurance

[kpeztruck]

I have a chromoly Chris Alston's FAB9 housing in mine. The stock housing, if braced properly, will hold up to a lot. You will need upgraded alloy axles, and if you are going to abuse it with big power, you will need an aftermarket nodular iron center section. I have seen the stock center section hold up to a lot ore abuse than I ever thought it would hold. But, when it breaks, it gets expensive! You just have to decide what power level, and what your wallet can stand for good parts now, or later, and replacing the parts ruined by the weaker parts breakage. I know my luck, so that is why I spent the extra money. Paul Baxter

[Dieselwrencher]

I have a stock housing, all braced up 9" in my vette. The guy that built it told me that stock housings will hold 1300HP. I'm not at 1300HP, but over 1300 ft lbs of torque and it's been just fine.

[softballnrd27]

My center section will be:
Stange Nodular N
Yukon Grizzly Locker(like Detroit)
3.89 gears

Moser 35 spline axles and I will either put together a disc brake kit or get the Wilwood Dynalite Kit.

I will be close to 500hp for awhile so I think I will just stick with the stock housing w/moser back brace

[Marv D]

Stock W case
Richmond gear spool
Richmond 4.56 gears
28spline Strange axles (because some moron built the thing with early mustang small housing ends)

580HP transbrake launches cracked the rear binion bearing support, gear, spool, centersection and 1 axle destroyed.

Enter a Strange aluminum centersection, pro gear, bla bla bla,, 800HP transbrake launches, 14" slick, 1.2x sixty foot times in a 3000 pound car can't tear it up

(think theres enough bolts to hold that gear to the spool??? )

Point being shockloading is what will be it's demise most likely. How much will it take???,, Shrugs, beats the crap out of me. Traction, torque and leverage on the edge of the gear will be different for every setup.

[Dieselwrencher]

The only piece on my 9" that is stock is the housing for what it's worth. Everything else is the top of the line because I wanted to eliminate carnage at all corners.

[softballnrd27]

Stock it is. I will put the money I would have put into the housing towards a cam swap or a nitrous kit. I am probably going to go to Okinawa in the next 2 yrs and when I get back from there is when the real fun will begin.

[softballnrd27]

My next question, Can I drill the stock 31 spline axles for 5x5? What about the drums?

[vin63]

If you currently have a 5 lug pattern, then you should have enough room on the flange to drill another 5 lug pattern. You won't be able to drill a 5 lug pattern if the flange is a 6 lug. If you plan to brace the housing, plus narrow it, your should be fine with the stock housing. I have a stock housing in my Super Gas car (20+ years of racing on that housing). It is braced externally and internally and no issues.

[softballnrd27]

It was a 5on5.5" Ford truck pattern. I am going to go ahead and do a disc conversion on the rear while I am at it.