Ford 9" Differntials Options

[Rantheman]

For the guys running Ford 9" rear ends what Differntials are you guys running looking at detroit and auborn I both tires to grap but I don't want but I want some slipage when I go around corners.

[chicane67]

In the the more affordable sense... the EATON "True Trac" would be you best choice if the car will not see any drag racing use. They just dont put up too well to impact loading. Good street manners... smooth engagement from the gear driven mechanism and you wont even know its there. Great on tire wear, as it pretty much acts as an open in the turns but will bias the power when it is applied through the turn. Great choice for a street car that will even see some track and autoX use.

Then there is the DPI units. Either the Gold or Platinum Track units. They work the same way as the True Trac but are MUCH stronger due to the materials and machine work. The Platinum is also somewhat tunable... not that too many here would screw with it anyway. Good street manners... just like the True Trac... with the available 'tuning' it can be set up for track stuff without having to purchase another unit.

Then there is the Torsen Gleason. Pretty much the same as above... but even stronger and it will set you back quite a few dollars over the two previously mentioned units. Streetable for sure, but not cost effective for most.

Auburn's are junk. Its a throw away unit... but at least the have the "D-Rex" exchange program... so when it cooks, you can flip another one at it for around $100 (plus all other parts and labor required to change it out again.) The "PRO" version will almost certianly require two bottle of friction modifier or it will make noise.The standard has good street manners... and the PRO, with the additional fric mod, is borderline.

The old "Four Pinion" Traction Lock with a billet side cover is another choice. It can be rebuilt and tuned... on the cheap. Good strength, good street manners...

[Rantheman]

Thanks for the info I am now stuck on two of them the Eaton Tru trac and the eaton detriot locker which one of those two would be good for cornering stability, good traction, This car will see mostly highway and some agressive corners but maybe some drag once in a blue moon.

[chicane67]

Unless your up for re-learning how to drive with a locker... because it really becomes a finesse' thing... I would run a True Trac.

That and with the rain that you see in your neck of the woods... it would be in your best intrest to run a True Trac. You will find yourself sideways when you dont want to be sideways with the locker and even on slightly wet pavement... in a light weight passenger car.

Lockers have their place... but I dont think it would be the best option for you. I drive one everyday, but its in a truck and it actually helps the truck get a little loose to manuver a little better. Actually... I drive like an idiot and its just fun to get a truck sideways on on-ramps at 50+ MPH.

[Rantheman]

So would a tru trac give me very good griping around corners and good traction when I need it.

[Motown 454]

Chicane67 If you have one of the other will the Torson swap right in using the same gears? Thanks

[Motown 454]

ttt

[chicane67]

Sorry for the delay in reply...

In short... yes.

One nice thing about the 9" is that the flange heights are all the same and that they dont have a "series" like the rear loaded differentials.

It'll just set you back about $1395... for just the unit itself.

[Bobby Schulz]

I run a detroit locker in my 9 inch...got a 598 bbc up front and so far so good;)

[SDMAN]

Im using the billet Lenco locker in my 9". Once you get used to the lockers unique idiosyncracies (mostly the clicking, clanging and banging) it just becomes part of the musclecar experience.

Kinda like the solid valvetrain noise and blower drive whine.

[Motown 454]

Chicane67 Thank you

[chicane67]

Im using the billet Lenco locker in my 9". Once you get used to the lockers unique idiosyncracies (mostly the clicking, clanging and banging) it just becomes part of the musclecar experience.

Kinda like the solid valvetrain noise and blower drive whine.

Yup yup. A little retraining yourself to the required finesse' of a locker and it becomes second nature. I've been driving one for so long now I dont even notice it at all... well... except when I wanna get squirrely.

[hectore3]

Would running an aluminum cased 9 inch ford be acceptable for the street? I am doing what I can to lower unsprung weight.

[SDMAN]

Aluminum? Sure. Im using the Mark Williams modular aluminum housing and aluminum pumkin. Teamed up with moly axle tubes its a ton lighter than any iron housing. Did it for the same reason you want to. Lighter is better.

[chicane67]

Would running an aluminum cased 9 inch ford be acceptable for the street? I am doing what I can to lower unsprung weight.

Acceptable... ??... sure is.

In fact you can build a 9" lighter than a 12bolt with ease... and gain all the benifits of a front loaded differential.

I too run Mark Williams products... and for damn good reason.

[LT1Nova]

I have a detroit locker in the 9" in my Nova and it pulls a bit to the right (if I remember correctly, haven't driven it for a year) back to the original position on throttle position changes. Is this one of the idiosyncrasies?

[fishtail8]

I have a detroit locker in the 9" in my Nova and it pulls a bit to the right (if I remember correctly, haven't driven it for a year) back to the original position on throttle position changes. Is this one of the idiosyncrasies?

That could be a difference in tire pressures, or road conditions. With my detroit I noticed the car get your attention on an uneven road surface with tractor trailer ruts and such. Or it could be something in your suspension not setup properly.

[LT1Nova]

I heard about the tire pressure thing and checked that. The only issue with the suspension is one of the traction bars (dr side) snubbers touched the leaf spring and the other side had a gap of about 1/4" I think. I have removed them but haven't driven the car since.

[Roadbuster]

For differentials is there any opinion on a Quaife?


Jon

[chicane67]

Quaife is good... it's up there with Torsen Gleason as far as quality... and price.

[Roadbuster]

Quaife is good... it's up there with Torsen Gleason as far as quality... and price.

Thanks. I will look closely at those when the time comes to build the rear axle.

Jon

[CRead01]

I've got a detroit locker in mine and love it.

I've never noticed the clicking but when I go around corners sometimes it squeels the tires for a quick sec before it lets loose.

[chicane67]

Well... Detroit's dont click (like their brothern cross shaft driven derivatives.)

When they reset... it's a bang. Dovatail's are definately positive engagement.

[KEISLER]

Quaife is good... it's up there with Torsen Gleason as far as quality... and price.

X 2 on Eaton True-Trac ; I have this in my Moser MO875. I love it - excellent product.

Quaife is another excellent unit of similar design.

[INTMD8]

I ran the tru-trac and aluminum housing in my old 96 Camaro. Ran high 9's in the 1/4 (6-speed car) and many miles on the street with no problems.

[parsonsj]

Locker guy here. 35 spline axles are a bonus too. You can't get that much axle in anything other than a Locker (I'm not counting spools).

jp