Ford 9 in rearend

[Jsieger89]

what is the advantage of the ford 9 in rear and what does it take to do the swap on a 87 swb c10
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[62k10&84k20burb]

What's your current rearend?
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[B Barber]

A 9" Ford has more surface area touching between the ring gear and pinion gear due to the gear angles. This makes it a stouter rear end, but in turn less fuel efficient. A GM 12 bolt, comparingly, has more than a 10 bolt. As for the swap, that all depends on what you choose to swap.....just the rear end, or all the suspension as well?

[Jsieger89]

Idk whitch reared do I have?
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[b454rat]

12 bolt.

[62k10&84k20burb]

Yes sir she's a 12. I'd personally reccomend a 14 bolt gm. Jmo.
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[Jsieger89]

what's difference between 12 and 14? I understand 2 bolts but a little more detail Mabey?
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[MalibuSSwagon]

14 bolt Full Floater rear end would be an excellent upgrade, if you didn't mind running 8 lug wheels or wheel adapters. If you get one from a 3/4 ton truck, it would be a bolt in.

The better question, is what are your goals? Big power, drag racing, street cruising, etc? That'll determine whether you need a stronger rear axle or not.

[b454rat]

14 bolt is a heavy duty axle. Mainly for towing, big tires, etc. What are your plans for the truck? If you want a driver, then stick with the 12 bolt. If you want to put twin turbo's on an injected 496, then maybe look into a 9".

I have a 79 Malibu that has an anemic 7.5" 10 bolt rear. I think it's the 2nd weakest rear GM made. I have a mild 454, guessing 350-375 horse, backed by the stock Saginaw 4-speed. Everyone I've talked to bout these tranny's and rears, is they will break if you look at them wrong. I don't drag race my car, it's just a fun driver. But I do get it on it, and so far nothing has happened. I did take three teeth of the ring gear, but I think the cracks were already there before I got the car. Long story, if you just a driver to smoke some tires now and then, no sense spending money on a 9". Put a posi maybe some gears in the 12 bolt and drive it.

[Rufton]

Nice thing about 9" other than durability is you can remove entire third member and build in comfort of shop. You can have a spare third member and gear swaps become a snap. The 9" preload is easily adjusted to spec by turning nut ring. On other rears preload adjustment is much more difficult and requires set up bearings and often more than one painful test fit.

[B Barber]

You have a good rear end for what it appears you plan to do with your truck. As the other guys stated, the 9" has several advantages if you plan to race your truck, or at least tote some hefty HP numbers, since it makes gear changes easier and it eliminates the use of C-clips (which are not NHRA compliant). But if you do not plan to race the truck and are just looking for a good all around rear, you have a great starting platform. You can make the 12 bolt very reliable for a considerably less price than the 9".

[Jsieger89]

I have considered doing a disk break swap on the back from a camero, I saw a video where the guy had to cut the top off to make it fit flat mine does not have this part can brine tell me if the camero disks will bolt up for me
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[INSIDIOUS '86]

Camero?
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[B Barber]

I'm not sure about that. I used a Wildwood Kit on mine
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[Jsieger89]

Can u put up a link?
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[B Barber]

I don't have a link, sorry. All my stuff was ordered straight from them to my specs
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[KQQL IT]

9" has a pinion support bearing ala 14 bolt. I built a 9" for the same $$ as 12 bolt.
And piece of mind that the power I'm making I'll never kill it.

On the other hand a friend has 8.5 10 bolt
in a camaro runs 11s' all day and it finally died after 7 years of 4 speed abuse...
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[andrewmp6]

Unless you have a blown big block a 12 bolt is more then enough rear end for a truck.A 9 inch is nice but its pricey and kinda over kill unless you have the power to need it.Kqql it the grand national and gnx both ran a 8.5 10 bolt and some have held up to some fast cars.

[KQQL IT]

I wasn't tearing it down. Anything can live if built right.
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[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

On the other hand a friend has 8.5 10 bolt
in a camaro runs 11s' all day and it finally died after 7 years of 4 speed abuse...

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

the grand national and gnx both ran a 8.5 10 bolt and some have held up to some fast cars.

I've raced with an 8.5" ring gear 10 bolt in my Chevelle for 35 years.

Currently goes 9.80's at 136 mph; 3600 lbs.

K

[andrewmp6]

I wasn't knocking them either but a lot of people think if its not a 9 inch or dana 60 its a weak rear end when its really not.I have seen more u joints and driveshafts fail then something in the rear end,And that's drag racing and off road too.

[gchemist]

Hot Rod has an article. 9" Ford vs GM 12 bolt. Each has an advantage for high power use. In the end, the 12 bolt won for long term use. Main reason was cost to rebuild over time.

[Rufton]

Originally Posted by gchemist

Hot Rod has an article. 9" Ford vs GM 12 bolt. Each has an advantage for high power use. In the end, the 12 bolt won for long term use. Main reason was cost to rebuild over time.

Interesting. 9" master rebuild kit is about $70. I think one 9" build will out last me. Some pickers can get 9" pumpikns on the cheap. Buying through currie is convenient but pricey.

[B Barber]

My center section was around $1500 and my chunk was around $700. Plus tubes, axles, and everything else. They are pricey to build, but look great and can pack a punch.

[N2TRUX]

If you want to get past all the rhetoric and cut to the chase, you don't need a Ford 9" for average driver. There is nothing wrong with it, but you dont need it.

If you want rear disc brakes, look in our Vendor Marketplace. Capt Fab makes a great set of brackets for an easy conversion.