Ford 9 inch junkyard Questions..

[UNmolestedTA]

Thanks in advance for any and all replies. First, are ford 9 inch rear ends the only one with a 3rd member (removable center)? I noticed a 65 mustang with this rear end but the axle tubes were smaller diameter at the point were the springs mount up, is that normal? Correct me if I am wrong but this rear end is only a few inches shorter than the one that came in first gen f bodies. Thanks again.

[b-man]

Most of the early Mustangs has the Ford 8" rears, it looks almost exactly like the 9" rears.

Pretty sure only the Hi-Po 289 cars had the 9" rear.

Easy 9" ID:

If you can get a 9/16" socket and ratchet on the two bottom nuts holding the pumpkin in place, it's an 8" rear. If it takes a box-end wrench to loosen them, it's a 9".

The 9" rears with the small axle bearings have axle tubes that taper down in size like you've described, they take 28-spline axles instead of the 31-spline big-bearing type. The small-bearing 28-spline axles interchange with the ones in the 8" rears.

Here's a '69 351 Cougar 9" 3.00-gear open rear with small-bearing 28-spline axles:

[Apogee]

The Mustang guys are always looking for the 66-77 Bronco Ford 9" rear axles to replace their Ford 8" axles because the widths are very similar at 58" WMS to WMS, but that might add some options to your list. Early Bronco parts can be a bit tough to come by at reasonable prices, and they're only 28-spline unless they've been beefed up by the previous owner. The small (72mm) bearing variety don't tend to have as much value as the big-bearing versions and the 1977 housing is the first year that Ford went to the broad, gusseted housing design versus the older banjo shaped design, making it the most coveted of all.

You might want to consider grabbing a 1977 or later Ford 9" from a full-size F150/E150/Bronco with a Trac-Loc and 3.50 (or 4.11) gears and then shorten it to suit your application. When you shorten it, opt for the new style Torino big-bearing housing ends and buy axles to match your wheel pattern and center pilot register and you should be good to go. You'll be into it the cost of the original axle ($100-250), new housing ends ($85), labor to jig and install them ($150 to $200-ish), and axles. Maybe more than what you were looking to spend...but still a fraction of building one with aftermarket parts.

Tobin
KORE3

[Rhino]

In this part of the country, there seem to be no 9" to be found.
Another option is the ford 8.8 found in explorers, rangers, and mustangs. The 8.8 is extremely similar in design to the GM 12 bolt. Fox body mustangs are pretty narrow and work well. Their drawback is they are 28 spline stock. Rangers are wider, and 28 spline as well. The explorer axle is sought after due to typically low gearing, 31 spline axles, and high probability of a limited slip diff.

I just picked up an explorer 8.8 for $200. (4.10 gears w/ limited slip) After it's narrowed, adapted to ford 9" housing ends, using custom axles, and a rebuilt center diff, I'll have a shade over $600 by the time I'm done.

[UNmolestedTA]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of picking it up if truly was a 9 inch just for swap meet parts. I stil have my original 8.2 inch and I grabbed two 8.5 on from a 74 nova and the other from a second gen.

[ronw1111]

hello all:
being 2018 now, want to find a ford 9 inch for my 67 mustang coupe big block from junk yard, can anyone advise what to look for thats got a ford 9 inch these days? also, does anyone know how to tell spline count from id tags? Thak for nay info.

[andrewb70]

hello all:
being 2018 now, want to find a ford 9 inch for my 67 mustang coupe big block from junk yard, can anyone advise what to look for thats got a ford 9 inch these days? also, does anyone know how to tell spline count from id tags? Thak for nay info.

I seriously doubt that there are Mustangs in the junk yards these days with their rear ends still in place. Your best best is to get a housing made by any number of companies that do that sort of thing...

Andrew

[chuckd71]

When you factor in time, labor and guesswork it's not too much of a stretch to spend a couple extra bucks for new. That's what I ended up doing. Getting it from a shop that does it day in and day out was preferable to gambling on a local place that might or might not do it regularly.