Different u-joint sizes for 9"?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Benbrook, Texas
Different u-joint sizes for 9"?
Yesterday I spent an entire day under my truck and even though it's 95+ in Dallas for the mostpart it was pretty rewarding. I came back out from under it with a question, though.
I swapped my '78 2.75-geared 3rd member for a 3.50 from an '87 E-150. The yoke from the newer 3rd member has wider u-bolts and seems to want fatter u-joint ends than the ones on my driveline. Were there two different parts? I was able to center my u-joint and cinch it down on the new yoke for a short test drive, but I don't think I'd get too far from home without a cell phone with it the way it is.
I guess my choices are to swap yokes (sounds messy) or hit the parts stores looking for the larger u-joint, but then I wonder if it will work with my driveline. Any of you ever run into this or have any recommendations?
As always, thanks in advance. I may be slow getting back to your replies, but I'll read 'em!
Bob
I swapped my '78 2.75-geared 3rd member for a 3.50 from an '87 E-150. The yoke from the newer 3rd member has wider u-bolts and seems to want fatter u-joint ends than the ones on my driveline. Were there two different parts? I was able to center my u-joint and cinch it down on the new yoke for a short test drive, but I don't think I'd get too far from home without a cell phone with it the way it is.
I guess my choices are to swap yokes (sounds messy) or hit the parts stores looking for the larger u-joint, but then I wonder if it will work with my driveline. Any of you ever run into this or have any recommendations?
As always, thanks in advance. I may be slow getting back to your replies, but I'll read 'em!
Bob
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Louisiana
I know the u joints changed sizes from 78 to 79. The 79 joints are a little bigger and stronger, but not to much so I don't see why the change was made but you can't change what happend.
I'm guessing it's something simialr to this with the 87, but not 100% sure though.
You could swap yokes and use your old u joint, and everything should work as long as the spline count is the same on the 78 to the 87.
I want to say the 9" has 31 spline axle shafts, but has a 28 or 29 spline yoke. someone else could clarify this, but I'm pretty sure it's 28.
I'm guessing it's something simialr to this with the 87, but not 100% sure though.
You could swap yokes and use your old u joint, and everything should work as long as the spline count is the same on the 78 to the 87.
I want to say the 9" has 31 spline axle shafts, but has a 28 or 29 spline yoke. someone else could clarify this, but I'm pretty sure it's 28.
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you can buy u-joints for this. You need to find a real parts store to help you though. Yes it can be done with u-joints, I just don't remember what stock #. Its around this shop somewhere. You could use a tape measure to measure across the u-joint caps, and go with those measurements. Measure the old u-joint.
you could go to parts store, get one for the '79 then get one for the '87, compare them and tell the guy behind the parts counter what you need. I hope he don't depend on computer for it though.
you could go to parts store, get one for the '79 then get one for the '87, compare them and tell the guy behind the parts counter what you need. I hope he don't depend on computer for it though.
Last edited by 220k-f-150; Jul 20, 2005 at 12:53 PM.
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From: Benbrook, Texas
Thanks for the great replies. I like the idea of two different sized caps in the u-joints. I'll try that number at Napa and let you know what I turn up. Since Ford engineers used 9" rear-ends for so long, they had to justify their paychecks by making these little modifications to them.
Regards, Bob
Regards, Bob
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FTE has a couple of sponsors that have Parts application charts so you can lookup the aftermarket part you need.
Try here
www.rockauto.com
Try here
www.rockauto.com
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When I replaced my u-joints in my 79 I had to use two different size caps for my driveshaft. I was actually told by someone at the parts store that some fords came from the factory with this requirement.
Last edited by rowdy123; Jul 20, 2005 at 02:54 PM.
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From: Benbrook, Texas
On the off chance someone else is going to put a new/old driveshaft/3rd member combo, Napa does in fact make the conversion u-joint. It's a part # 210-0134. An actual parts guy was on shift the day I went and he had a paper catalog. He looked up both the '78 part #, then the '87 and cross referenced them in the conversion section and voila! I was duly impressed after dealing with Autozone burn-outs.
Thanks again for the replies, I'd have had no idea where to start otherwise! I feel safer driving the truck now, even without the cell phone...
Bob
Thanks again for the replies, I'd have had no idea where to start otherwise! I feel safer driving the truck now, even without the cell phone...
Bob