9 inch rear end

[BOL]

how is a 9 inch 4:11 beter than a 8.8 3:? ? would one from a bronco fit a ranger?

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Overall, a Ford 9" is a stronger axle than a Ford 8.8. And if you're truck is a 4WD, before swapping in the Ford 9" with 4.10's, I would make sure you front axle also has 4.10's (unless you're going to regear), otherwise you won't have 4WD. And sure it can fit under a Ranger. You can make anything fit.

 

[Iron Ranger]

I put a 9" in my 92' Ranger 5.0. It can be done, very easily. It's also better because there are no retainer clips to pop off the shaft, no shims to worry about, and with a simple modification, draining and filling the gear lube is a snap.

The gears and the axles are better and stonger than the 8.8, plus the housing is fully welded, no plug welds holding the tubes like on an 8.8.

You name it, I did it to mine. Cut it, shortened it, welded a drain plug on it, relocated the leaf spring mounts and shock mounts, on and on.

If you want to see it, go to the "Please post you axle photo's" in this section up top and I am on the second page towards the bottom.

 

[fordtrucknut77]

unless you want your tires to stick out or as mentioned above you want to cut the housing and cut/replace the shafts find you a 9 out of a 66-77 bronco they are shorter and fit near perfect. you just need to move the spring perches and shock mounts.
But yes the 9 inch is a strong and very popular axle with pretty much anything available aftermarket.

 

[fordtrucknut77]

o yea but you are aware you will either have to get new rims or have the axles/ brake drums redrilled to the correct pattern right
another option is to find a 9 inch out of a 57 ford car or 65 to 70 mustang or 66 to 69 fairlane *these would have the correct lug pattern for your ranger* and are close the same length as a early bronco axle but are very hard to find and you will probably pay more for one of these than an early bronco housing

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I'd rather have a 31spl 8.8" than a 28spl 9"... You can easily get a disc brake 31spl 8.8" that is the correct size and pattern for a Ranger ALOT cheaper than any 9"...

 

[Mac]

The early Bronco's are a good width but as mentioned, wheel bolt pattern is different. Most of the nine inch rears had the same 28 spline axle as the Ranger. Even the 390 Mustangs had that spline count. You had to go up to the 427 or 428 to get the 31 spline axle. The big advantage with the 9" is being able to swap the center section for a different gear ratio. Don't know your buget or needs but for most cases, cheaper and easier just to use a Ranger 8.8 for a bolt in swap.
Dave

 

[BOL]

Yeah, I have that now. But I can get a 71 bronco 9 inch good cond for 150 bucks. Wheel bolt patern being differnt sucks though.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

It's no stronger than an Explorer 31spl 8.8"

 

[fordtrucknut77]

all you would need to do is call an aftermarket axle company ( there are plenty) and have you a set of 31 spline axles made up for the length you need with the bolt pattern you need and then go get a 31 spline locker or spool

 

[Iron Ranger]

o yea but you are aware you will either have to get new rims or have the axles/ brake drums redrilled to the correct pattern right
another option is to find a 9 inch out of a 57 ford car or 65 to 70 mustang or 66 to 69 fairlane *these would have the correct lug pattern for your ranger* and are close the same length as a early bronco axle but are very hard to find and you will probably pay more for one of these than an early bronco housing

I got my axle hubs filled/drilled and shortened at Moser Engineering. The drums are available from Ford Racing with the 5x4.5 pattern on a 9" rear end.

Don't go with the ford car ones, 28 spline on very small axle shafts, not strong, can't be shortened.

The best info is here: http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm

Read through all of this and you will have a much better understanding of a ford 9".

 

[4x4junkie]

Actually the 9 and 8.8 compare very close to each other stock (perhaps with the exception of the stock carrier and the tube welds on the 8.8). Shafts are the same strength in either axle (given the same spline count). The 8.8 has a small bit less internal friction than the 9 (this would be something to consider on anything less than a 4.0L engine) and has the vehicle speed sensor if your truck needs that.

Where the 9 clearly comes out ahead is with aftermarket support like mentioned. You can probably build an entire 9 without using a single Ford part.