Hey guys. Iv always seen on TV and elsewhere that when you make big power, you upgrade to the Ford 9 inch. I have yet to see the Ford 9" discussed in our 87-96 forum. Why is that? Is the 10.25 just as strong? Or has no one made big enough power in our trucks to need one (which I doubt). Or is the swap too much of a PITA?

 

These two axles are an "apples & oranges" comparison.

The 9" is a tough LITTLE axle, the Sterling is a tough HEAVY (for pickups) axle.

Their ratings & applications are a long way apart.

 

Im readin up on the 9" now (which I shoulda done before asking lol). Looks like the 9" is a fairly old axle... stopped production in the mid 80s. The Sterlings still bein used today (to 2011 at least).

 

I cant even break my 8.8 or ifs in the front and I have solid axles waiting

 

The 9" is a half ton axle. It cant take the weight of what a 3/4 and one ton truck will throw at it.

The reason it is not used in the 1/2 tons is that you need a VSS sensor on the axle and a 9" doesnt have that

 

I'll throw in some numbers to back up what others have said. According to the '89 light duty spec book, both the 8.8" and 9" axles are rated at 3850 lbs (why the 9" is even in there, considering it had been out of production for at least two years, is beyond me), where the full-float Sterling is rated at 6000#. Even the semi-float Sterling can handle 5300 lbs.

It's strictly my opinion, but I think the 9" can handle at least as much power as the 10¼" axle in stock configuration. I'm all for putting a 9" axle in a pre-'92 half-ton for two reasons...real drivers don't need RABS, and because I've never heard of anyone losing an axle in a 9", where I've SEEN c-clip axles break at the strip.

Moral of the story...if you're installing an axle for power, put in a 9". If you're installing an axle for towing or hauling, get the Sterling.

Pat

 

You can't even try to compair the two axles.


The 9 is good for half tons as mentioned, with tires less than 35s. And even with 35s, upgraded shafts are prob on the "to do list"

The 10.25, is beef. I have ran 44s on a stock 10.25(just a gear swap) and twisted a a LS shaft after a few years of extreme abuse.

If you have a hot rod, or half ton pickup the 9 is where its at. If you have anything bigger, the 10.25 is the answer.

 

There are HD axles and c-clip eliminators available for the 8.8 so overall it's as capable as the 9". And make no mistake if you source a 9" from an old 80's truck it won't have bullet proof axles in it that will take the abuse of a big torquey motor.. you got to get one from an old '70's car that had a big block under the hood to get that. The big issue with using a 9" in these trucks has to do with the trans, if your truck has one of the electronic auto transmissions then you need an axle with a VSS so the 9" is out of contention.