Longview, what I was saying is that it dosen't matter if your carrier is a 28 spline or a 31 spline. The only thing that makes a carrier a 28 spline or a 31 spline carrier is the spider gears are either splined for one axle or the other. So with that in mind if you have 28 spline axles then you just get the mini spool that is for the 28 spline axles and if you have 31 spline axles then you need the 31 spline mini spool. The orginal question was would a 28 spline carrier work with a 31 spline mini spool and so all that I was saying is that yes it will work because you are removing the parts that make it a 28 spline and replacing them with a mini spool that is 31 spline. I got my mini spool from JEGGS and I would also suggest that you get the pin that goes with it for the added strength. The whole set up will put you just over $50.

 

I've been thinking about putting a mini spool in my truck as well, and i have a few questions. I've never had a 9" apart before, can you take out the spiders and put in the pin and mini spool without taking the pinion and carrier out? My dad told me that if you separate a worn ring and pinion, you can never get them back the way they came out and they would wear really bad. Is this so? TIA
78ford100

 

If any of you are interested>
Click My ........View users gallery

scroll to the bottom until you see the link to:

*Everything you wanted to know about the Ford 9"

 

You're missing the point.

I never said anything about the axle tube.

The BORE of the differential for a 28 spline is SMALLER than the bore for a 31.

So, go ahead and replace the side gears and spiders with a mini-spool, put it all together. Set your gears. Apply the gasket and sealent, and then slide the axles in.

OH NO! They won't go all the way in!

Duh!

It isn't that hard to understand.

Josh

 

Ahhh my bad, Padd77 i mis-read.

 

so anyway what i'm reading is, what i expected, i know i need to replace the bearings, bigger spline usually=bigger diamiter, but the i think i can put a 31 spline mini spool in any 9" carrier, so, i know i can get axles for around 99.90 a set plus an extra 20 or so for bearings, and then i'd say my 9" is ready for almost anything.....*****cpt the rubicon in my fullsize.


anybody object/ different view points, since i have an f-100 i'm pretty sure i have a 28 spline rear end, unless some flook of ford genious mated my c6 with 31 splines (i haven't rolled under to check the tags) by the way i'm still worried about my front end too, i don't want to break and be stuck in 2wd to get out. any upgrades/opinions on my high pinion dana 44 with 3.59 gears is much apperciated..........by the way i have a 203 transfer case..........but soon i'm ditching it for a 205



i hope this made some sort of sense.....i just came from a wild frat party......and since i'm a college student...i drank quite substaintialy. please respond with any questions and i will answer them tomorrow morning after the hangover wears off.
fords=coolest@!

 

Super- save up some bucks and get an ARB that will give you the traction action when you need it and safety the rest of the time.


KJ- I have been driving a little longer than you, 38 years, and I live in the ice belt, we get snow that turns to slush and freezes or just plain ice all the time, I would rather drive a 2WD open diff in those conditions rather than a 4wd or 2wd with locker or spool. I have driven everything from a VW up to a city bus in those conditions. My F250 with the open diff and no weight is my best snow and ice vehicle. I prefer to drive it over all my others in bad conditions (except the old VW was the best). For certain times I will probably add an ARB to my truck, but I can switch it on for a little extra traction then switch it back off. Although the 4wd is fun in deep snow I have never been stuck or had any problems. I have never let the weather stop me from driving, I have been in it all up to white out blizzards. As an extraordinary driver you can probably drive safely with a spool on a deserted road, but you are a danger to every other vehicle on the road due to the fact that your vehicle is not going to react to conditions like the rest of them, and is on the edge of loosing control.

I will stand on my experience and that of the experts, and I will still say NEVER run a spool in a road vehicle. Running a spool on the road is irresponsible, and could open you up to criminal charges if you were ever involved in an accident.

The experts say it is wrong... -And it is definitely unsafe. Don't take chances with your life and that of others. Drive for the conditions and bear in mind the equipment of all the other vehicles that share the road with you.

 

Back to superswamper's original question:
First thing is to remove an axle and see if you have 28 or 31 spline axles. If you have 31 spline axles, you're set. If you have 28 spline axles, 31 spline axles may not physically fit through the sides of the differential carrier (the piece the ring gear bolts to and that holds the spider/side gears and that the mini spool will go in). You may want to remove the center section to measure it or just plan on replacing the differential carrier with one that will handle the larger axles.
Also, Ford differential carriers have different size side bearings. 2 different size OD's and a couple of different ID sizes. You'll have to have the right bearings for the housing and the carrier you put in.
Or you could just stay with the 28 spline axles, (NOT!) The 31 spline axles are much stronger.
Hope this helps clarify things.
Greg

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mil1ion
[B]Jeff, I have to dispute that about the S31 meaning 31 spine axle.

That number to the righr of the ratio code has always been Plant code.
It is the Bearing code ie WFE-BK2 that states what bearing is in it and thus will reveal ina Ford book what the axle spline is.

The factory or plant code is a every tag item,whereas, tha spline codse isn't.

Dennis,
you are right about the meaning of the codes. I was trying to go from memory but it's been about five years since I last looked one up. I dusted off the book and checked and I stand corrected. However, I still believe that a spool is not a good idea on the street, for various reasons.

 

Enough crap, partial information and ice stories about how an empty truck is the best vehicle in the snow. (I would beg to differ). I put 31 spline axels in a ford nine that originally had 28 spline axels. 31 splines are bigger, but not that much bigger, you can't tell the difference unless you count the splines. All you need is the mini spool, and 31 spline axels. Just be careful that you get the right length if you have to get new ones. I have welded up several ford nines and it seems like the new a truck is the more likely it is to have 31's.

Just tear out your axel, it will take less time then reading all these posts.

And by the way mini spools kick @ss.

 

here's the deal about splines:

Any 9" carrier will fit in any 9" axle (Ford to Ford of course). Each side of the carrier has hubs which the carrier bearings are pressed to, and which the axle goes through to mate to the side gears inside.

Any 9" side gear (28 or 31) will fit any 9" carrier, so it seems as if any 28 or 31 spline axle shaft should work with any carrier if the same splined side gears are used........well, not quite. The problem is that on SOME 28 spline carriers, the hub which the axle shaft goes through to meet the side gear, is bored only large enough to allow a 28 spline axle shaft (which is smaller in diameter then a 31 spline axle shaft) to pass through, so a 31 spline shaft won't fit through!

One trick in the old days was to simply have a shop bore out the hub bores so a 31 spline shaft would fit, but beware here too, because there are two carrier bearing inside diameters (meaning there are two carrier hub outside diameters) and if your carrier hubs use the small inside diameter bearings, the hub will become dangerously thin if you try to bore it out.

If you buy a 31 spline spool, you're all set. A spool replaces everything we've talked about involving carriers, side gears (spools don't use them) and hub sizes. But obviously a 31 spline spool won't work with 28 spline axle shafts and this cannot be modified. So it's time to hunt for shafts.

But...watch out for the shafts!! The 9" used quite a few shaft lengths, depending on vehicle and year. Also, three different axle wheel bearing sizes were used (both inside and outside diameters can be different!). So, you need to find 31 spline shafts at the right length with the right bearing size. I'd say pull one of your present 28 spline shafts, measure out everything, and go for it. Hope this helps.

 

Here is a little gas on the fire.
To my rear-end knowledge(which I have done some major rear-end research lately) a spool or mini-spool is for RACING ONLY!
If you're going to do something major like this I would advise you to contact the the manufacturer of the spool and ask them if they recommend you use it in a street legal vehicle.
If you don't have the money for a locker........save up some money and do it the right way!
Hell, why dont you just weld your axles together(just kidding).
Please do some research before you do this.
A quick glance at a Summit catalog and you will notice that the splines are in the Hardcore Racing section(and also say 'not safe for the street')