Axle Strength
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 379
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From: Delavan, IL
Axle Strength
I have contemplated throwing a diesel v-8 into my 1979 F-150 4x4. I know that the 9" holds up well behind pretty much any gas motor, but what about a diesel??? A stock diesel can have up to about 400-450lb-ft stock. I'm thinking that that will thrash that 9" pretty quick if I pull a good load or screw around enough. Any thoughts??? I really don't have the money to go Dana 60.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 500
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From: midwest
i think a 9 in is fine for that application. they are incredibly strong and a 460 will have that much torque with few mods. ford had them behind the 460 in years when it produced 500 ftlbs stock (68-71).
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
It is pulling a load with a lot of torque that is the problem. If you are pulling a trailer that is only putting 500 pounds on the frame, I would not worry about it, just use caution.
But, if you are putting 2,000 pounds on the rear axle or taking it off road then forget it. I can see my axle flex with that much weight in my bed and axle deflection is what kills the 9" and breaks the axles. It is why I am building a trailer instead of loading my bed with firewood.
Some sort of ladder bar or dual shocks might help the axle rotation under torque. To add dual shocks to a 9" is fairly cheap and you can do it yourself if you have a welder or even clamp them on.
9" axles came in cars with 390s that put out over 400 foot pounds of torque from the factory, so I am sure any earlier model diesels, with common sense on the go pedal, and a light load should be fine.
What I would worry about is using the diesel with the Dana 44 on anything other then pavement. You have all that extra weight and all that extra torque, not a good combination for a stock Dana 44.
But, if you are putting 2,000 pounds on the rear axle or taking it off road then forget it. I can see my axle flex with that much weight in my bed and axle deflection is what kills the 9" and breaks the axles. It is why I am building a trailer instead of loading my bed with firewood.
Some sort of ladder bar or dual shocks might help the axle rotation under torque. To add dual shocks to a 9" is fairly cheap and you can do it yourself if you have a welder or even clamp them on.
9" axles came in cars with 390s that put out over 400 foot pounds of torque from the factory, so I am sure any earlier model diesels, with common sense on the go pedal, and a light load should be fine.
What I would worry about is using the diesel with the Dana 44 on anything other then pavement. You have all that extra weight and all that extra torque, not a good combination for a stock Dana 44.
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