9" swap? What does it take
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 781
Likes: 8
From: Sanford, NC
An 8.8 is not a bad rear end but if you can get a 9 inch I think that is the way to go.
They are not offered by Ford any longer, but there is a ton of aftermarket parts for
the 9 inch. The biggest advantage to me is the ease of changing gear ratios and
differentials in the 9 inch vs the 8.8.
They are not offered by Ford any longer, but there is a ton of aftermarket parts for
the 9 inch. The biggest advantage to me is the ease of changing gear ratios and
differentials in the 9 inch vs the 8.8.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,026
Likes: 0
From: Renton, WA
Rogue_Wulff, I'll check that out thanks. And just to throw one more stupid Ford fact into this off topic conversation. Those 7 lug wheels, axle, etc. where offered as a factory high payload F-150 option ever sence that silly 98 LD F-250 at least up till the last time I was selling Fords in 2008. And IIRC there was also a Ranger off-road package option in about 2001 that had those 7 lug wheels also.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
I do believe the thread starter has gotten most any info he needed, and doesn't mind us getting off on a bit of tangent, since he's likely very aware that should another question arise, we'll gladly jump right back on topic.
As for the whole 7 lug thing, I just never paid any attention, since the last decent looking F150 was built in 1996......
As for the whole 7 lug thing, I just never paid any attention, since the last decent looking F150 was built in 1996......
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 368
Likes: 3
From: Loganville, Ga
Of course I don't mind! Listening to you guys is how I learn. And you're right, I believe I do have what I need now to go back this weekend and pick out the right rearend. I really appreciate the time and advice I get from from everyone here.
Ed
Ed
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
I have an 86 with an 8.8" and 2:47 gears, got to go. I went scouting in the junk yard last Saturday and found several 9" rearends, some in vans.
Will the van rearends bolt into the F150, are they the same width?
Exactly what does it take to put a 9" in place of the 8.8"? Or is it a straight bolt in? Are they the same width, van and truck? Who has done it?
Thanks
Ed
Will the van rearends bolt into the F150, are they the same width?
Exactly what does it take to put a 9" in place of the 8.8"? Or is it a straight bolt in? Are they the same width, van and truck? Who has done it?
Thanks
Ed
find my project page on the 81 to see what I found, but the 8.8 nose is slightly longer
If you have a manual and 4x2, I have a driveshaft correct length for the 9" (not sure if auto tranny ends at same location) PM me.
they bolt up PERFECTLY.
E-brake cables interchange PERFECTLY, spring bolts, sway bar crap - u name it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
as to other stuff - the 8.8 is way quieter than a 9", and a 9" cannot be sealed against leaks - ever. 8.8 brakes will fit on he 9 and vice versa, BUT, the drums only go one way - the 9" drums do not have a hole large enuf to clear the 8.8 axle end. wheel cylinders and shoes and kits are the same.
3.55 CAN be had in the 9", cuz the 4x4s mostly used a dana 44 with 3.54 (dana had their own agenda...)
if I had it to do over, I would put a 3.08 8.8 - woulda given me the great shot in the arm torque still, dropped a few hundred highway rpm, and been easier to get a speedo gear to match up.
is your 4spd the srod? if so you need to find the left handed gears to swap. go 3.55 you need to change the drive as well as driven gear to get speedo on....(Im 10.5% off) - see my project page for links and stuff.
3.55 CAN be had in the 9", cuz the 4x4s mostly used a dana 44 with 3.54 (dana had their own agenda...)
if I had it to do over, I would put a 3.08 8.8 - woulda given me the great shot in the arm torque still, dropped a few hundred highway rpm, and been easier to get a speedo gear to match up.
is your 4spd the srod? if so you need to find the left handed gears to swap. go 3.55 you need to change the drive as well as driven gear to get speedo on....(Im 10.5% off) - see my project page for links and stuff.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
You have to look real hard to find the 3.50 ratio for the D44, but even dana admits that it exists.
This doesn't mean that someone, somewhere, offers a 3.55 gearset for the 9", but ford didn't. I guess they were just way too fond of that 12 tooth pinion gear.......
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,026
Likes: 0
From: Renton, WA
I've never had an issue with a 9 leaking, I can only assume you mean between the housing and 3rd member? You really just need a little RTV there, and 8.8s have issues with axle seals.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
Actually, the 4wd with D44 and 9" used 3.50 gears (3.00 was also available). I have a set of those axles with the 3.50 gears that are going under my 80 F150.
You have to look real hard to find the 3.50 ratio for the D44, but even dana admits that it exists.
This doesn't mean that someone, somewhere, offers a 3.55 gearset for the 9", but ford didn't. I guess they were just way too fond of that 12 tooth pinion gear.......
You have to look real hard to find the 3.50 ratio for the D44, but even dana admits that it exists.
This doesn't mean that someone, somewhere, offers a 3.55 gearset for the 9", but ford didn't. I guess they were just way too fond of that 12 tooth pinion gear.......
I was under the impression his truck was 2wd - if not a 2.50/2.50 axle ratio would suck in a 4x4 - with a 6.
btw correct me if I am wrong but a 3.50 9" is 35-10 and the 370 is 37-10 - in axles with large possible gear ranges, there are usually what they call 'large carrier' and 'small carrier' models - even tho they are essenitally the same size. its based on there the bolt holes are located a certain distance from the tooth load point - since the carrier is fixed in size and the bolt holes go in one place, the ring grows or shrinks slightly (go find a GM corp 10 bolt in 2.73 and 3.23 (like a caprice sedan vs caprice wagon with TT) and you will see what I mean)
long story short, I believe you will find ack! my post was truncated!
Last edited by quaddriver; Jun 30, 2010 at 02:34 PM. Reason: it got posted funny!
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
A 2 dollar paper gasket between the housing and pig (3rd member) is all thats needed to have a perfect seal!
I have changed thousands of pigs (I'm a racer) and rarely have a leaker, I do not use Sillycone!
Remove all paint and contaminants ... Including gear oil, If any residual oil remains on the sealing surface it will become a weeper, Especially if it's Synthetic oil.
Do not use bolts, use studs and apply a _little_ loctite on the studs in the housing and allow to dry before assembly.
Piece O cake!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
I have changed thousands of pigs (I'm a racer) and rarely have a leaker, I do not use Sillycone!
Remove all paint and contaminants ... Including gear oil, If any residual oil remains on the sealing surface it will become a weeper, Especially if it's Synthetic oil.
Do not use bolts, use studs and apply a _little_ loctite on the studs in the housing and allow to dry before assembly.
Piece O cake!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
its anecdotal but I have NEVER EVER seen an 8.8 damp anywhere in my shop, other than the cover gasket and sometimes under the pinion seal on the high mileage jobbers. (granted the 8.8 is a much newer design and machined a lot closer due to modern blah blah blah)
hit your boneyard and photograph all the 9"ers you see - they will be wet in 4 places: both ends, pinion and 3rd member joint
(oddly, D44s almost never leak, on even on the IFS jobs where the stub shaft exits)
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,026
Likes: 0
From: Renton, WA
I can beleive circle track guys having an issue, my friends that run circle track haven't mentioned it to me, but most of them have to use C-clip axles in their class and use eleminators. But I can't see the leak coming from the seal itself but between the flange, backing plate, and ratainer.
btw correct me if I am wrong but a 3.50 9" is 35-10 and the 370 is 37-10 - in axles with large possible gear ranges, there are usually what they call 'large carrier' and 'small carrier' models - even tho they are essenitally the same size. its based on there the bolt holes are located a certain distance from the tooth load point - since the carrier is fixed in size and the bolt holes go in one place, the ring grows or shrinks slightly (go find a GM corp 10 bolt in 2.73 and 3.23 (like a caprice sedan vs caprice wagon with TT) and you will see what I mean)
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
You dont have to look too hard....Im loosing track on what the topic was, but the D44 front gearset in 3.50 is part 707240-5X in 42-12, the more popular D44 (IFS or not) 3.54 has 4 or 5 part numbers, including reverse gearsets for the jeeper crowd - for ford the gearset would be 706517-3x or 707020-3x. in 46-13 IIRC
I was under the impression his truck was 2wd - if not a 2.50/2.50 axle ratio would suck in a 4x4 - with a 6.
btw correct me if I am wrong but a 3.50 9" is 35-10 and the 370 is 37-10 - in axles with large possible gear ranges, there are usually what they call 'large carrier' and 'small carrier' models - even tho they are essenitally the same size. its based on there the bolt holes are located a certain distance from the tooth load point - since the carrier is fixed in size and the bolt holes go in one place, the ring grows or shrinks slightly (go find a GM corp 10 bolt in 2.73 and 3.23 (like a caprice sedan vs caprice wagon with TT) and you will see what I mean)
long story short, I believe you will find ack! my post was truncated!
I was under the impression his truck was 2wd - if not a 2.50/2.50 axle ratio would suck in a 4x4 - with a 6.
btw correct me if I am wrong but a 3.50 9" is 35-10 and the 370 is 37-10 - in axles with large possible gear ranges, there are usually what they call 'large carrier' and 'small carrier' models - even tho they are essenitally the same size. its based on there the bolt holes are located a certain distance from the tooth load point - since the carrier is fixed in size and the bolt holes go in one place, the ring grows or shrinks slightly (go find a GM corp 10 bolt in 2.73 and 3.23 (like a caprice sedan vs caprice wagon with TT) and you will see what I mean)
long story short, I believe you will find ack! my post was truncated!
But, the 9" has many ratios that do use a 12 pinion (2.75, 3.00, 3.25) so I assumed (yes, I know) that the 3.50 would as well, since it would be a simple as adding another tooth to the ring, pretty doable, since the 4.10 is frequently a 41-10.
Perhaps both the 42-12 and 35-10 have been used, depending on manufacturer and/or year.
Personally, I've never had an axle or pinion seal leak on a 9" that wasn't caused by A) bad seal, B) bad bearing(s) or C) plugged vent. Maybe I'm just lucky. Or, perhaps the racers you are speaking of use the sealed bearings, and either don't put the seal inside the housing before axle, or put too much weld on the lock ring, and damaged that seal.....