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Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

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Old 10-25-2006, 10:02 AM
  #1  
Barry70stang
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Default Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

Hello All,

I have a 70 mustang w/8" rear end. I recently built a 347 and would like to upgrade to a 9" positive traction w/lower gears. I have a 9" from a ford truck, not sure what year model, but I do know it is a big bearing rear end. I don't have the brakes with the truck axle, but I do have the backing plates. Anyone done this before and willing to share some advice? Thanks,

Barry
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Old 10-25-2006, 12:48 PM
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andrewmp6
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Default RE: Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

why not just buy a currie one and be done with it
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Old 10-25-2006, 01:09 PM
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Barry70stang
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Default RE: Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

That's the conclusion that I am coming to. I was just trying to save some money. I have a rear end with pumpkin and all from a ford truck. I figure it would be quite a bit cheaper to shorten the housing and buy the gears and posi unit. There seems to be a lot of variables involved in doing what I want to do. Currie wants $2500, which is a lot of money to me. It sure would save a lot of headache though.

Barry
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Old 10-25-2006, 04:45 PM
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chrumck
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Default RE: Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

Hi,

Look here: fordmuscle - 9 inch conversion

Though it's a conversion from small bearings 9'

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Old 10-25-2006, 07:40 PM
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Barry70stang
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Default RE: Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

Thanks,

I have seen this article, it is interesting, but I don't have all those mandrels and alignment bar and all that stuff that it takes to make that project work. I've come to the conclusion that I need to either be patient and find a rearend in an old car, or just shell out the bucks. It is really tempting to just put a posi unit in my 8", but I don't think it will hold up to 400+ hp. My better judgement tells me to wait and do it right the first time. Thanks for your time.

Barry
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Old 10-25-2006, 10:49 PM
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andrewmp6
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Default RE: Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

unless you ever shorten one before i wouldnt try it you could mess it up and the car will pull to one side and you forgot about have new axles made do you have a chop saw and a welder and a jig to make sure everything is straight
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Old 10-25-2006, 10:54 PM
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Colorado_Mustang
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Default RE: Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

How hard did you build that 347? Unless you're over 400hp with a manual and doing a lot of clutch drops, I wouldn't worry about the 8 inch...they are a lot stronger than many people give them credit for.
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Old 10-25-2006, 11:10 PM
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bluegill
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Default RE: Shortening a 9" ford truck axle


ORIGINAL: Colorado_Mustang

How hard did you build that 347? Unless you're over 400hp with a manual and doing a lot of clutch drops, I wouldn't worry about the 8 inch...they are a lot stronger than many people give them credit for.
+1

Back in when I was in high school, my dad dropped a warmed over 289/C4 with a 3500 stall converter and manual valve body into a '74 Pinto wagon that already had an 8 inch posi. It held up for over 5 years shifting at 7000 rpm(with the 4 bolt axles). Rust finally took the car off the road. It was light mettalic green with the wood grain sides with a luggage rack, quite the sight to watch that car smoke the tires through most of first gear and chirp them hard going into second and third...

Mike
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Old 10-25-2006, 11:15 PM
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atomsk680
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Default RE: Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

an 8inch should hold up around 450 HP and torque.
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Old 10-25-2006, 11:29 PM
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noroof66
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Default RE: Shortening a 9" ford truck axle

Agree with the others. If everything is done right, the 8" should not be a problem.
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