Ford 9 inch question

[72step]

I have a chance to buy a 9" rear off a late 70's ford f150. Would that be an ideal rear for my 72? Would I have to change the axles out to match my bolt pattern???Thanks in advance

[fast14]

I think most nine inch truck axles had 5 on 5 1/2 bolt patterns if i remember right. You can take the axles to a machine shop and they can weld up the old bolt pattern hols and smooth the face back down on a lathe and redrill the axles to your bolt pattern.

[67dragtruck]

I think I would measure that lug pattern. A lot of ford 9" rears are actually 5x5. Don't know about the 70' f150. If you are unsure how to measure it PM me and I'll tell you how.

Tom

[67Fleetsidedream]

12 bolt rearends are just as strong. Why change?

[junkyardjohn]

Originally posted by 67Fleetsidedream
12 bolt rearends are just as strong. Why change?

SURE .... I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY 99% OF DRAG RACERS USE FORD 9" AXELS??? THEY PROBABLY JUST DON'T KNOW ANY BETTER. JOHN

[dinnut]

if youre going to race and such, ford 9inches are alot better and stronger.
from what ive heard, most 9 inches are 5x5

[fast14]

You guys are probably right. The only stock nine inch i've ever messed with was a 5 on 5 1/2 and everyone was saying that that was a common bolt pattern. Thanks for correcting me. I use an aftermarket nine inch in my racecar now. As far as strength, the 9 inch usually is stronger plus if you break an axle in a nine inch it won't come out of the housing, the only was the wheel will come off is if you break it at the outside flange.

[PrimeredThunder]

I asked my neighbor about why most racers uses Ford 9" rears. He said he used them back in the day because you could swap out a set of gears really fast if you had to. Or you could have two sets, lower gears for in-town driving and a set of highway mileage gears? Just my $0.02

[John Fabris]

Go get a ford 9 inch from a 70-75 Lincoln Continental. Look for the one with rear disc brakes, and it will have a lug nut pattern of 5 on 5. Gearing is most likely 3.00:1. That can be changed.

[lost wages]

i used the same kinda rear axle your looking at, they are a 5x5.5 pattern. I had to narrow mine and i also had moser axles made for it, i redrilled my own drums.

[1972C10]

The late 70s 9 inch will have 5 on 5 1/2 and the axle from backer plate to backer plate will be like 60 inches its a tad wider than the chevy rear ends

9"s are great for the fact you can have two hog heads one wil full spool and super low gears for racing and one with a locker or posi for driving with decent gears.

Parts are cheap for them they really have alot goin for them

Might try to locate a 28 spline 9 inch there the perfect width for chevy trucks.

[Javy]

A Ford 9" takes 5-8 more horsepower to drive than a 10 or 12 bolt
Chevy rear end !!!!!!

[1972C10]

Originally posted by Javy
A Ford 9" takes 5-8 more horsepower to drive than a 10 or 12 bolt
Chevy rear end !!!!!!

Ive never heard that one before What would cause it to use more horsepower?

[69c10stepside]

pinion angle is what causes it..

[onelow69]

That is true about the Chevy rears, they take less horse power to use than the Ford 9in. Thats why most nascars use 9in housings and customs made 12 bolt center pumkins drops outs. Moser makes the center pumkins I beleive.

[1972C10]

Originally posted by onelow69
That is true about the Chevy rears, they take less horse power to use than the Ford 9in. Thats why most nascars use 9in housings and customs made 12 bolt center pumkins drops outs. Moser makes the center pumkins I beleive.

Ive seen them 12 bolt chunks in summit or jegs them things were high dollar