Which 9" rearend is best? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

yellowGT · 09-19-2009, 05:35 PM

I have been thinking about building one of my trucks with a big tire on the back. You know a big M/T. I have some of the stuff already to make my ladder bar setup but will have to get the 9 inch rearend soon. I understand that the third members can be taken off pretty easy and swapped out for another gear ratio. Which are good gears to punish and to also take out in the highway?

Wild83C10 · 09-19-2009, 09:38 PM

need to know your tans and what tire size you plan on running?

noonzor · 09-20-2009, 04:13 PM

actually im kind of in the same boat, plan on pulling a housing and centre section off a rig in the junkyard.

as for the housing is there a certain truck/car with certain dimensions to look for?

and as for the centre which stamping do you look for? i know they made a few different ones.
(truck will have tt-6.0L 4L80E trans)

AirMale · 09-20-2009, 07:21 PM

Check some older f150's, they had the nodular center and big bearings.

hotrod 80 · 09-20-2009, 07:22 PM

I perfer the 73-79 F-150 truck housing , i used a Bronco and sold the 3.50 center with trac-loc to offset the cost . They have big bearings on the axles and the housings have the extended support . You can bolt explorer discs off an 8.8 on them also . As for center and gears , i used a stock truck with a Richmond gear . I went 6.20's @ 3200 #'s with this combo and Moser 33 spline axles and a full spool . I have been told the strange nodular is the way to go .

djracer · 09-20-2009, 08:24 PM

I want a fabricated housing under mine bad!

hotrod 80 · 09-20-2009, 08:34 PM

I am going to try narrowing 2 truck housings within the next few weeks I am helping a buddy on one and another Luv is in the near future for me .

KQQL IT · 09-21-2009, 11:05 PM

The housing im using is out of a 79 f-150 we narrowed one side to center the pinion. And built the center section off EbAY

djracer · 09-21-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrod 80

I am going to try narrowing 2 truck housings within the next few weeks I am helping a buddy on one and another Luv is in the near future for me .

Don't do it build a full size and a big motor!

hotrod 80 · 10-02-2009, 01:05 PM

Can't afford them big motors , and i have a nice pile of small motor parts on the garage shelf . Just need pistons and machine work .

C20-67_N_MO · 10-03-2009, 09:41 AM

I need to do this swap as well.

That way I can switch out carriers if going on a long trip.

noonzor · 10-04-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrod 80

I perfer the 73-79 F-150 truck housing , i used a Bronco and sold the 3.50 center with trac-loc to offset the cost . They have big bearings on the axles and the housings have the extended support . You can bolt explorer discs off an 8.8 on them also . As for center and gears , i used a stock truck with a Richmond gear . I went 6.20's @ 3200 #'s with this combo and Moser 33 spline axles and a full spool . I have been told the strange nodular is the way to go .

what year(s) explorer discs brakes can be used?

hotrod 80 · 10-04-2009, 07:30 AM

Here is a link to Speedway's write up . All these parts are readily avaliable from local salvage yards for cheap . The rotors will have to be redrilled to your specific pattern , as they come 5 x 4.5 small Ford car pattern ( which i had on the Luv ) . The explorer brakes bolt to the big bearing 9" . These brakes have a small drum inside the rotor for the e-brake similar to a 4th gen Camaro .
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/images/pdf/910-31938.pdf

fryco · 10-04-2009, 07:44 PM

(for a nine inch)
You can also use rotors from a AMC Eagle, with metric car front calipers along with the cheap weld on brackets from speedway. You should be able to do it for under $100.00. but you may have to turn the axle down on the flange (largest diameter), depending on axles used. we ran these on stock cars for a long time...

this is 1/6th the cost of wilwood 4 piston kit cost which i just purchased, depends what your budget is....

just another idea.

rotors $12-15ea, calipers $18-22ea w/bolts, brackets $5ea, pads $25 or less

SCOTI · 10-10-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

The housing im using is out of a 79 f-150 we narrowed one side to center the pinion. And built the center section off EbAY

Do you know the final width of the housing once you narrowed the one side to center the pinion?

KQQL IT · 10-10-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Do you know the final width of the housing once you narrowed the one side to center the pinion?

Flange to flange? or wheel mount to wheel mount... Either way ill have to dig for it. But i have both. it ended up 1" narrower than my 12 bolt because of wheel backspace issues

SCOTI · 10-10-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Flange to flange? or wheel mount to wheel mount... Either way ill have to dig for it. But i have both. it ended up 1" narrower than my 12 bolt because of wheel backspace issues

That's what I needed to know. I was hoping it would equal 1" each side; 2" over-all (that's what I'm wanting).

KQQL IT · 10-10-2009, 11:33 PM

Memory says 2 1/4 or 2 3/8 narrower.

noonzor · 11-21-2009, 08:41 PM

so ive found lots of 9" around but not sure which one to go with as some places dont have what the rear was pulled out of. is there a way to tell if the housing has the big bearing ends without tearing one side down?

and what overall width are we looking for? the measurement off my stock 12bolt was around 145cm flange to flange if memory serves me right.

the offset centre on the 9" also has be concerned. is it something that i should be concerned about?

71/454 · 11-21-2009, 11:34 PM

Has anyone done the swap to a 9" without having to narrow one side to center the pinion? I too am looking at doing a 9 instead of fixing my 12 bolt

09-19-2009, 05:35 PM	#1
yellowGT Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Garland, TX Posts: 970	Which 9" rearend is best? I have been thinking about building one of my trucks with a big tire on the back. You know a big M/T. I have some of the stuff already to make my ladder bar setup but will have to get the 9 inch rearend soon. I understand that the third members can be taken off pretty easy and swapped out for another gear ratio. Which are good gears to punish and to also take out in the highway? __________________ '84 swb chevy '69 swb chevy '68 swb chevy '95 Impala ss-sold '89 chevy crew cab dually 3+3

09-19-2009, 09:38 PM	#2
Wild83C10 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 910	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? need to know your tans and what tire size you plan on running? __________________ 83 C10 Stepside (SOLD, it was a blast!) 383 MASS-FLO EFI/TKO II 600/3.90 Posi 10 bolt S475 and C4 DM running, fine tuning turbo= Douchebag Racing: Runs Fine all the Time

09-20-2009, 04:13 PM	#3
noonzor Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 818	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? actually im kind of in the same boat, plan on pulling a housing and centre section off a rig in the junkyard. as for the housing is there a certain truck/car with certain dimensions to look for? and as for the centre which stamping do you look for? i know they made a few different ones. (truck will have tt-6.0L 4L80E trans) __________________ 69 c10 Shortbox Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=360622

09-20-2009, 07:21 PM	#4
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? Check some older f150's, they had the nodular center and big bearings. __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

09-20-2009, 07:22 PM	#5
hotrod 80 mini truck racer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Baytown , texas Posts: 3,010	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? I perfer the 73-79 F-150 truck housing , i used a Bronco and sold the 3.50 center with trac-loc to offset the cost . They have big bearings on the axles and the housings have the extended support . You can bolt explorer discs off an 8.8 on them also . As for center and gears , i used a stock truck with a Richmond gear . I went 6.20's @ 3200 #'s with this combo and Moser 33 spline axles and a full spool . I have been told the strange nodular is the way to go . __________________ 1949 5-window 1969 Camaro 1976 Chevy Luv yellow 1978 Chevy Luv Blue 1976 Chevy Luv Black 1979 Firebird Flooded in Harvey 1999 F350 Dually 2005 GMC Sierra 4.8 RCSB 2014 Explorer (wifes) My build :http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399148 Build #2: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653583 Last edited by hotrod 80; 09-20-2009 at 07:24 PM.

09-20-2009, 08:24 PM	#6
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,892	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? I want a fabricated housing under mine bad! __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

09-20-2009, 08:34 PM	#7
hotrod 80 mini truck racer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Baytown , texas Posts: 3,010	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? I am going to try narrowing 2 truck housings within the next few weeks I am helping a buddy on one and another Luv is in the near future for me . __________________ 1949 5-window 1969 Camaro 1976 Chevy Luv yellow 1978 Chevy Luv Blue 1976 Chevy Luv Black 1979 Firebird Flooded in Harvey 1999 F350 Dually 2005 GMC Sierra 4.8 RCSB 2014 Explorer (wifes) My build :http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399148 Build #2: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653583

09-21-2009, 11:05 PM	#8
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,256	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? The housing im using is out of a 79 f-150 we narrowed one side to center the pinion. And built the center section off EbAY

10-02-2009, 01:05 PM	#10
hotrod 80 mini truck racer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Baytown , texas Posts: 3,010	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? Can't afford them big motors , and i have a nice pile of small motor parts on the garage shelf . Just need pistons and machine work . __________________ 1949 5-window 1969 Camaro 1976 Chevy Luv yellow 1978 Chevy Luv Blue 1976 Chevy Luv Black 1979 Firebird Flooded in Harvey 1999 F350 Dually 2005 GMC Sierra 4.8 RCSB 2014 Explorer (wifes) My build :http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399148 Build #2: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653583

10-03-2009, 09:41 AM	#11
C20-67_N_MO Champagne Taste on Beer Budget Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: High Ridge, Missouri Posts: 2,190	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? I need to do this swap as well. That way I can switch out carriers if going on a long trip. __________________ Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck

10-04-2009, 07:30 AM	#13
hotrod 80 mini truck racer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Baytown , texas Posts: 3,010	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? Here is a link to Speedway's write up . All these parts are readily avaliable from local salvage yards for cheap . The rotors will have to be redrilled to your specific pattern , as they come 5 x 4.5 small Ford car pattern ( which i had on the Luv ) . The explorer brakes bolt to the big bearing 9" . These brakes have a small drum inside the rotor for the e-brake similar to a 4th gen Camaro . https://www.speedwaymotors.com/images/pdf/910-31938.pdf __________________ 1949 5-window 1969 Camaro 1976 Chevy Luv yellow 1978 Chevy Luv Blue 1976 Chevy Luv Black 1979 Firebird Flooded in Harvey 1999 F350 Dually 2005 GMC Sierra 4.8 RCSB 2014 Explorer (wifes) My build :http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399148 Build #2: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653583 Last edited by hotrod 80; 10-04-2009 at 07:55 AM.

10-04-2009, 07:44 PM	#14
fryco Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: somewhere,wi Posts: 170	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? (for a nine inch) You can also use rotors from a AMC Eagle, with metric car front calipers along with the cheap weld on brackets from speedway. You should be able to do it for under $100.00. but you may have to turn the axle down on the flange (largest diameter), depending on axles used. we ran these on stock cars for a long time... this is 1/6th the cost of wilwood 4 piston kit cost which i just purchased, depends what your budget is.... just another idea. rotors $12-15ea, calipers $18-22ea w/bolts, brackets $5ea, pads $25 or less

10-10-2009, 11:33 PM	#18
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,256	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? Memory says 2 1/4 or 2 3/8 narrower. __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

11-21-2009, 08:41 PM	#19
noonzor Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 818	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? so ive found lots of 9" around but not sure which one to go with as some places dont have what the rear was pulled out of. is there a way to tell if the housing has the big bearing ends without tearing one side down? and what overall width are we looking for? the measurement off my stock 12bolt was around 145cm flange to flange if memory serves me right. the offset centre on the 9" also has be concerned. is it something that i should be concerned about? __________________ 69 c10 Shortbox Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=360622 Last edited by noonzor; 11-21-2009 at 08:42 PM.

11-21-2009, 11:34 PM	#20
71/454 Turbo Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Re: Which 9" rearend is best? Has anyone done the swap to a 9" without having to narrow one side to center the pinion? I too am looking at doing a 9 instead of fixing my 12 bolt __________________ 1972 Gmc Custom swb intercooled twin turbo 327 10.5-1 and 12 lbs of boost, Nodular iron case super t-10 4 speed with a blowproof bellhousing, 12 bolt eaton posi soon to have moser axles. 1998 Honda CR250 fully ported, case matched, milled head, vortexed carb and revalved suspension but don't forget the woody woodpecker decal kit! Things I've broken so far: 12 bolt diff saginaw 4 spd many, many pieces Aluminum case Super t-10 4 spd



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