PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sweet 85 C10 · 08-17-2008, 08:58 PM

Whatsup Guys! Just recently I was able to get a ford 9inch diff to replace the 12bolt stock chevrolet diff that came in my 83 C-10. Now I want to know some pros and cons of the diff. The reason I wanted to change it up was to fit a 22x10 inch wheel in the rear to give it that Hot ROD street truck look. Now I need some info pertaining to driveshaft centerline measurements and drive shaft replacement using a TH400 Chevy Trans and wanted to see do I need to get a custom drive shaft made to make this all work. My first time swapping diffs like this. Any help would be great!

Also on a second note Im planning on doing the KP 4 Link and Canti Kit will this change my plans now that im using a Ford Rear end? Maybe Porterbuilt or clint can answere this question also didint see a Watts link for a ford 9inch can I order one custom for this application?

jasonb72 · 08-17-2008, 11:11 PM

I have only seen one watts link that was bolt on for a f**d 9". It was on a camaro, and bolted to the front of the chunk. I will let you know more of the pros, and cons since I am having my 9" built right now. Definate pros, are the better high performance parts available, and ability to beat the sh*t out of it.

SanitysBane · 08-18-2008, 01:17 AM

I ran a Ford 9 inch in my '83, and here is the short version of it.

Pros- Don't have to worry about breaking it.
Tons of parts for it.

Cons- Some/Most of the watts link kits mount off the rear diff cover, the 9inch doesn't have one so your going to have to fab something up.

Your going to have to fab something up to make the 4 link kit work.

The 9inch requires more horse power to turn than a 10 bolt, does this really matter? Not really.

In all honestly it depends on 1) how much fab work you want to do and 2) how much horse power you are putting down to the ground.

BigShoe24 · 08-18-2008, 07:31 PM

I decided to go with a narrowed 9" for a couple reasons. First, my original rear-end was shot. Also, I wanted a narrowed housing, in hopes of running a wider wheel/tire out back. Here is a picture of aligning my 9". I'm going to run the Wilwood Dynalite Series for brakes as well. Let me know how its going for you.

cdowns · 08-18-2008, 07:57 PM

one of the biggest pluses is that you can change from a race ratio to a highway gear in less than an hour by just droping one carrier out and putting another one in

Sweet 85 C10 · 08-18-2008, 08:20 PM

Ok these are all great responses and yes the 9inch is going to be pushing some horsepower about 380-400HP but what im looking to make sure is that if I purchase the 4link and canti setup from KP what will I need to do to mod it I mean the rear is shorter but I didint think I would really need to mode anything since the 9inch had leafs setup on it before. Whats the difference?

BigShoe24 · 08-18-2008, 08:34 PM

Depends on how narrow your 9" is. I'm running the weld on 4-link from KPcomponents. I believe I could make the Canti set-up work without any clearance issues, although it is pretty tight between the wheel and frame rails (due to the outward stagger of the frame). As for "bolt on" watts links I'm not sure, but Totally Polished makes what looks to be a quality piece. Good Luck

Sweet 85 C10 · 08-18-2008, 08:47 PM

any website links for that?

BigShoe24 · 08-18-2008, 08:59 PM

Sweet 85,

You have any pics of your set-up yet? I'm in Fort Lauderdale by the way.

Here's the link
http://www.totallypolished.com/frames.shtml

Sweet 85 C10 · 08-18-2008, 09:07 PM

Im in Orlando, no pics yet I have my truck rollin chasis right now and am getting ready to take out the 10 bolt rear out of my truck and replace it with the 9inch but want to make sure I can get everything to work as planned. I was looking at the 4 links and still dont see why I need to mod anything. I mean other then the notch obviously. I was also looking at the universal 4 link I might go that route since I have a different setup but curious can I bolt on the cantilever?hmmm.....

BigSky71 · 08-19-2008, 03:02 PM

I am running a Ford 9" in mine, mounted it on the stock trailing arms.

Sweet 85 C10 · 08-19-2008, 03:21 PM

Dam Thats Sweet! Well heres a pic of my 9inch rear I got it ot of a Ford Bronco the earlier Broncos like 70's early 80's. I think I have a better idea now of what im going to do.

Sweet 85 C10 · 08-24-2008, 07:31 PM

Wassup Guys just here getting ready to do the step notch and bridge setup very soon. Everything is good so far just trying to decide how I should set my truck up under axle on the bridge or over axle hmmm?

crawdadfox · 08-24-2008, 08:46 PM

pro's... more gear ratio's than all other's put together, ease of changing 3rd members. NO C-CLIP'S !!! so if you do break an axle your tire, wheel and brake's stay in the truck!! The pinion loads at the bottom (less neg. driveline angle in extreme lowering) Con's....complete 3rd. member's are very expensive! Nodular case with locker, ring & pinion and yoke, assembled will run $1200- 1500.00!!! or more!! that's no housing, brake's or axle's! Bolt pattern's on F**D's ....truck's..5 on 5.5 ....car's 5 on 4.5 but you could re-drill axle's, drum's or rotor's

08-17-2008, 08:58 PM	#1
Sweet 85 C10 OG Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 146	PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF Whatsup Guys! Just recently I was able to get a ford 9inch diff to replace the 12bolt stock chevrolet diff that came in my 83 C-10. Now I want to know some pros and cons of the diff. The reason I wanted to change it up was to fit a 22x10 inch wheel in the rear to give it that Hot ROD street truck look. Now I need some info pertaining to driveshaft centerline measurements and drive shaft replacement using a TH400 Chevy Trans and wanted to see do I need to get a custom drive shaft made to make this all work. My first time swapping diffs like this. Any help would be great! Also on a second note Im planning on doing the KP 4 Link and Canti Kit will this change my plans now that im using a Ford Rear end? Maybe Porterbuilt or clint can answere this question also didint see a Watts link for a ford 9inch can I order one custom for this application? Last edited by Sweet 85 C10; 08-17-2008 at 09:29 PM.

08-17-2008, 11:11 PM	#2
jasonb72 PorterBuilt Man Crush Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Allen, tx Posts: 291	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF I have only seen one watts link that was bolt on for a f*d 9". It was on a camaro, and bolted to the front of the chunk. I will let you know more of the pros, and cons since I am having my 9" built right now. Definate pros, are the better high performance parts available, and ability to beat the sht out of it. __________________ The 72 will live again

08-18-2008, 01:17 AM	#3
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF I ran a Ford 9 inch in my '83, and here is the short version of it. Pros- Don't have to worry about breaking it. Tons of parts for it. Cons- Some/Most of the watts link kits mount off the rear diff cover, the 9inch doesn't have one so your going to have to fab something up. Your going to have to fab something up to make the 4 link kit work. The 9inch requires more horse power to turn than a 10 bolt, does this really matter? Not really. In all honestly it depends on 1) how much fab work you want to do and 2) how much horse power you are putting down to the ground. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer Last edited by SanitysBane; 08-18-2008 at 01:19 AM.

08-18-2008, 07:31 PM	#4
BigShoe24 True Addiction Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: FTL Posts: 415	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF I decided to go with a narrowed 9" for a couple reasons. First, my original rear-end was shot. Also, I wanted a narrowed housing, in hopes of running a wider wheel/tire out back. Here is a picture of aligning my 9". I'm going to run the Wilwood Dynalite Series for brakes as well. Let me know how its going for you. Attached Images

08-18-2008, 07:57 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF one of the biggest pluses is that you can change from a race ratio to a highway gear in less than an hour by just droping one carrier out and putting another one in __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-18-2008, 08:20 PM	#6
Sweet 85 C10 OG Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 146	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF Ok these are all great responses and yes the 9inch is going to be pushing some horsepower about 380-400HP but what im looking to make sure is that if I purchase the 4link and canti setup from KP what will I need to do to mod it I mean the rear is shorter but I didint think I would really need to mode anything since the 9inch had leafs setup on it before. Whats the difference?

08-18-2008, 08:34 PM	#7
BigShoe24 True Addiction Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: FTL Posts: 415	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF Depends on how narrow your 9" is. I'm running the weld on 4-link from KPcomponents. I believe I could make the Canti set-up work without any clearance issues, although it is pretty tight between the wheel and frame rails (due to the outward stagger of the frame). As for "bolt on" watts links I'm not sure, but Totally Polished makes what looks to be a quality piece. Good Luck

08-18-2008, 08:47 PM	#8
Sweet 85 C10 OG Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 146	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF any website links for that?

08-18-2008, 08:59 PM	#9
BigShoe24 True Addiction Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: FTL Posts: 415	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF Sweet 85, You have any pics of your set-up yet? I'm in Fort Lauderdale by the way. Here's the link http://www.totallypolished.com/frames.shtml

08-18-2008, 09:07 PM	#10
Sweet 85 C10 OG Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 146	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF Im in Orlando, no pics yet I have my truck rollin chasis right now and am getting ready to take out the 10 bolt rear out of my truck and replace it with the 9inch but want to make sure I can get everything to work as planned. I was looking at the 4 links and still dont see why I need to mod anything. I mean other then the notch obviously. I was also looking at the universal 4 link I might go that route since I have a different setup but curious can I bolt on the cantilever?hmmm.....

08-19-2008, 03:02 PM	#11
BigSky71 LAIDOUT Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NW Montana Posts: 928	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF I am running a Ford 9" in mine, mounted it on the stock trailing arms. Attached Images __________________ 67 2wd Shorty Build Pictures

08-19-2008, 03:21 PM	#12
Sweet 85 C10 OG Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 146	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF Dam Thats Sweet! Well heres a pic of my 9inch rear I got it ot of a Ford Bronco the earlier Broncos like 70's early 80's. I think I have a better idea now of what im going to do.

08-24-2008, 07:31 PM	#13
Sweet 85 C10 OG Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 146	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF Wassup Guys just here getting ready to do the step notch and bridge setup very soon. Everything is good so far just trying to decide how I should set my truck up under axle on the bridge or over axle hmmm?

08-24-2008, 08:46 PM	#14
crawdadfox Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New Orleans Louisiana.....a great place to visit but you wouldn't want to live here!!! Posts: 883	Re: PROS AND CONS OF THE FORD 9inch DIFF pro's... more gear ratio's than all other's put together, ease of changing 3rd members. NO C-CLIP'S !!! so if you do break an axle your tire, wheel and brake's stay in the truck!! The pinion loads at the bottom (less neg. driveline angle in extreme lowering) Con's....complete 3rd. member's are very expensive! Nodular case with locker, ring & pinion and yoke, assembled will run $1200- 1500.00!!! or more!! that's no housing, brake's or axle's! Bolt pattern's on F**D's ....truck's..5 on 5.5 ....car's 5 on 4.5 but you could re-drill axle's, drum's or rotor's



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.