old Ford 9", worth building for the jeep?

choppachris · 03-13-2009, 07:30 PM

I have an old Ford 9" rear end that supposedly came out of a 60-70's model Thunderbird...I'm gathering parts for beefing up the CJ later this year, Is this a good candidate for a rear axle? I have a line on a 14 bolt with discs, but am undecided weather to invest and build the 9" or just buy a 14 bolt ready to go...any opinions will be helpfull, thanks.

Insight...it's a 1982 CJ, 258 I6 (dreams of going sbc), planning to do the SOA conversion, 35" swampers, driven for pleasure mostly on sand. Front axle choice will most likely be D44 with flattops for high steer, unless I find a killer deal on a 60...

**Cutlass327** · 03-13-2009, 09:12 PM

The 9" would be overkill.... Get an 8.8 and save some weight and have just about the same amount of power handling.

choppachris · 03-13-2009, 11:07 PM

hmm, good to know...

thank you.

**Unlimited04** · 03-14-2009, 08:08 AM

a 9" is a good axle. a 14-bolt is way too fat for just 35s. there are a LOT of 9ers out there, so it really depends what kind it is - avoid the banjo style or small bearings. you need to determine the width, tube thickness and style of 9" you have and that will determine if its worth building up. a 9" out of a 70s F150 is a great axle to build up, but I dont know anything about the car versions, other than they are mostly small bearing.

choppachris · 03-14-2009, 12:06 PM

So the 9 is really too much, and probably not the ideal 9 anyway...and 14 is way too much. My brother and I keep debating and changing our minds about what direction the CJ is going to take...last night we decided it would be best to start with a SUA lift on some budget 4" springs. I'm thinking 33's, so at this point it would probably be best to just beef up the AMC 20 in the rear, but will the Dana 30 be enough in the front? I'm thinking a 44 with flattops for high steer option would be good, but i'm new to this and not sure if i'm still overshooting the parts. I would like to be strong enough to handle 35's eventually just in case.

**Unlimited04** · 03-14-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choppachris

So the 9 is really too much, and probably not the ideal 9 anyway...and 14 is way too much. My brother and I keep debating and changing our minds about what direction the CJ is going to take...last night we decided it would be best to start with a SUA lift on some budget 4" springs. I'm thinking 33's, so at this point it would probably be best to just beef up the AMC 20 in the rear, but will the Dana 30 be enough in the front? I'm thinking a 44 with flattops for high steer option would be good, but i'm new to this and not sure if i'm still overshooting the parts. I would like to be strong enough to handle 35's eventually just in case.

well a HP Dana 44 and Ford 9" from a mid 70s F150 is a great place to start. They will be great on 35s, for 33s you'll bump the low pinion on the 9er a lot, but you should make a pinion skid for it anyway.

heres a trussed 9" and HP D44 going in an XJ:

From: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=982819

Brads_nky_yj · 03-14-2009, 01:33 PM

A ford 9" is not too much for 35's. There are too many 8.8 fan boys on here that will tell you to go 8.8 or go home. The For 9" is a strong axle and would be fine for 35's but Im not too sure about that early Thunderbird axle. Look for Bronco or early F-150 axles. Both have Dana 44/9" Combo.

RKBA · 03-14-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cutlass327

The 9" would be overkill.... Get an 8.8 and save some weight and have just about the same amount of power handling.

I am pretty sure the 9" is lighter than the 8.8. The problem with nines is that there are many, many versions and not all are beefy as equipped by the factory.

The good news is, they can be modded/upgraded as necessary - sometimes fairly inexpensively.

choppachris · 03-14-2009, 03:48 PM

Thanks for all the insight! I'm going to be patient and wait for that right pair of axles,...I see a set of scout II 44's on my local craigslist set up for SOA and comes with springs...all for 500 bones.

blazer3664 · 03-15-2009, 05:19 AM

I'd jump on those 44's. if the springs dont work for you sell em. Dana 44 will hold up with 35" s. If you run lockers and big power w heavy foot you might want to upgrade shafts though. If you buy lockers you probably end up buyin shafts anyway. Most GOOD lockers dont work w/ (most)stock shafts.

Oooooo,

just call teraflex and order a couple 60s and find a 401 to power it, only cost a couple bucks. B all good then.