ford 9\" question

[Jperu]

I picked up a Ford 9\" today for my s10 ...Has Anyone used this axle on there S-trucks ?



I know the axle tube length will have to be changed...any info on center pin location or shock mounts.



Looking for the do\'s or don\'ts...Any help would be appreciated



thanks JP

[wickeds10]

um u have to shorten the whole rear

[84prostreet]

If you use one, it will last. I guess the 9 inch is the only good thing ford did. When you get one, look at the ends of the axles and if they have 2(about 5/8 inch) diameter holes and a small one (1/4 inch) in the very center, then they are 31 spline axles and can be cut and resplined. Let me add I was told this; I hope I dont look like a complete dumbass. Thats what I did for mine. It has a narrowed rear with disks and I shortened the stock axles. I was told the 28 spline axles cant be shortened since they are tapered.

[doghouse]

I am working on a 87 s10 and have recently installed a 9inch.



I got the axel complete for $150 in a boneyard.

Had the housing and axels narrowed for $250

Got 4.10 gears for $40 I kept the stock drum 11x2 brakes and rebuilt them.



I had mine narrowed to 40\" end of axels.



I narrowed the rear frame rails 13\" and used the orginal springs minus two bottom leafs.



Remember that the stock s10 pinion is set one inch towards the driver side. You will have to allow for this when you cut the 9 inch.



Good luck







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[doghouse]

Thats one inch towards the passanger side.



Sorry for the type error.



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[Jperu]

Thanks Doghouse for the info on your ford9 set-up..I do have 2 more questions for ya.



Did you use ford bolt pattern for your rear rims, or did you have the drums covers re-drilled for chevy bolt pattern? ( if so, was that in the $250)



Also is your set-up for tubs slicks or standard tires?



you should post some pics of your set-up, i\'m sure others and myself would like to see how the ford9 looks under a S10



thanks again...JP

[redugly]

what do you mean the pinion is an inch off? is the engine also an off?

[wild85]

yes

[doghouse]

The 250 broke down as.



100 cut the housing down.

100 narrow the axels.

50 redrill the axels.



The guy did a great job.







I havn\'t installed the bed yet, but it will be tubbed.



I had the axels drilled for chevy pattern and then marked and redrilled the new brake drums in between the ford holes. I also used 3inch long 1/2\" studs.



Frame is complete both front and back and painted. I rebuilt everything.



I am just putting the cab back on the frame.



The vehicle isn\'t much to look at yet.



I plan to get some pictures when it looks a little better.



Cutting the back frame rails was quite a project and i would not reccomend it for everybody.



















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[redugly]

if i didnt take this one inch into consideration when i had my 9 inch shortened is it going to cause problems?

[knudsonm]

I have a Currie 9+ rear. It cost a little less than $2500 delivered. I got the 9+ housing w/4.11 gears, 9+ nodular case, 31 spline axles, 11x2 drums, Trac-lock diff, HD yoke... I will never break this rear ever

[link523]

if you dont have the offset wright the drive shaft will not be sraight and you will know it very soon.i have to measure mind i thought it was two inchs not sure thow i post a question about that with no reply yet

[redugly]

why would one inch the the right or left make a difference? isnt it the same as when you lift a truck and the shaft is at an angle going down to the differential

[basementdweller]

what are you guys talkin about.. the pinion being offset? My 12 bolt is the same length on both sides, and my rear is centered under the truck.. nothing is offset its all in a straight line http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif ... if it was offset.. when the rear was put in the driveshaft wouldnt be straight... and if it was centered using the driveshaft.. then 1 wheel would stick out further than the other...

[HILROD]

I have a 9 in my truck narrowed to 4x4 width.It doesn\'t matter that the pinion is not centered. If you get the right yoke the universal joint will still bolt up but the drive shaft will be to long i think.

[doghouse]

Ok guys. Let\'s do drivetrain 101



First. Chevy (GM) put the drivetrain 1 inch closer to the passenger side of the truck. Engine, transmission, rearend. This was done to allow more room for the stearing shaft and steering box.



Second. Some axels including the Ford 9 inch have pinion offset built into them.





OK this is where is you guys are getting lost.



You have to take into account the ford built in pinion offset, and the GM factory design offset to come up with a rear axel that will center under the truck,



(Both axel flanges are equal distance from the outside edge of the bed)



and have the pinion offset the same as the factory gm specs.



If you are just using your ride to haul rocks on the farm and don\'t plan to go over 20 mph then put it in any old way. But I would hate to be going 120+ over the finish line with it installed wrong as it might get exciting in a bad way.



The guy who did mine actually had a \"blueprint\" for installing a 9 inch in GM Vehicles!



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[ZQL8TR]

The pinion being offset 1\" to the passenger side will not have any negative effects whatsoever. You can cut the housing to compensate, but it\'s not really needed. What really needs attention is the vertical pinion angle in relation to the transmission output shaft. Be sure to set it the same as your original housing.





1988 ZZ4 and tubs

1998 Ext Cab ZQ8

<a href=\"http://prostreets10.com/\">ProStreetS10.com</a>

[tuknrm]

if your not going to tub it u need a housing 49\" flange to flange that will give you a 54\" axle flange to flange with 2.5 offset brakes and hardware. to centerline of stock pinion its 28\" from drivers side and 26\" from passanger. these are axle flange to axel flange. you need a axle longer than 49\" then you center the pinion of the ford 9\" to the stock one. then pull measurements from there. so that the pinion will be lined up with current drive train.