9inch rear swap
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 4
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9inch rear swap
I have a 1985 Ford F-150 2wd and u have 9in that I want to put in can i use the 2wd springs and whats the pros to putting a 9in instead of a 8.8 I’m only going to use it for cruising around or stuff like that no mudding or ******* out if you guys think I should keep the 8.8 instead tell me why I should
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 6
Keep the 8.8. You're not really gaining anything unless you're swapping gears a lot or are at risk of breaking axles. The 8.8 is lighter, takes less power to operate and is generally cheaper to get parts for as a variant was used in the foxbody mustang.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 554
Likes: 186
Keep the 8.8 and call it good. They can handle good power (lots more than any factory F150 engine could put out even new back in 85), parts are everywhere and reasonably cheap, and it's much easier to work on if needed (no heavy 3rd pig trying to kill you if/when it rolls away for whatever reason).
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 26
From: Algona,WA
The 8.8 is fine, although I'd prefer the 9". I own vehicles with both 8.8" and 9" axles and have rebuilt both of them. Not sure what people are saying the 9" is harder to work on than the 8.8". It's much easier setting the gears up on the bench and setting pinion preload with the pinion assembly in the vise or 20 ton press like I did vs laying on your stomach under the car damn near lifting the car off the jack stands trying to obtain pinion preload, then shoving the ring gear and carrier in there then shoving the carrier shims in that are .006" tight on each side all while on your back or stomach, no thanks 9" all the way for me if the vehicle already has it. 8.8" is a nice axle other than it being a back loader, I found parts to cost about the same for both. "Pro" tip, if you take the third member out of a 9" a transmission jack works awesome for getting it in and out without beating yourself up too badly. Also not sure how much of a power loss there is between the 8.8 and 9", both can be actuated/turned by hand if it's set up right.
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