Ford 9" or 8.8?
mattp1788
Jeeper
I have a chance to get my hands on one of theses and just wondering which one would be better to get?
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Ford 9" or 8.8?
- Thread starter mattp1788
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jasonmark1993
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73 CJ5, 408W, Toploader, Dana 20, 9" Dana 30 5.38 gears, next purchase=slicks
Heres my take, others may have more info since I have more experience in drag racing.
9" is stronger under heavy load. Great support on the pinion and ring so it doesnt deflect and shear teeth. I got 35 spline axles in my 9 and they are about as big around as some of the semi trucks I used to work on.
The pinion is lower on the 9 so it will increase your driveshaft angle, but with a 7 this shouldnt be an issue. I have a 9" in my 5 and have to run a double cardan. I suppose you loose a little clearance with the 9, but unless you are spring over it doesn't matter.
8.8 is pretty damn strong too. Unless you are running a ton of power, you should be fine. The 8.8 in my turbo charged 5.0 held up fine but I wasn't shock loading it either. Not sure where the pinion is on an 8.8 vs the Dana axle.
What axle are you running? The Dana 44 is pretty strong. In hindsight, I would have kept mine until I smoked it.
9" is stronger under heavy load. Great support on the pinion and ring so it doesnt deflect and shear teeth. I got 35 spline axles in my 9 and they are about as big around as some of the semi trucks I used to work on.
The pinion is lower on the 9 so it will increase your driveshaft angle, but with a 7 this shouldnt be an issue. I have a 9" in my 5 and have to run a double cardan. I suppose you loose a little clearance with the 9, but unless you are spring over it doesn't matter.
8.8 is pretty damn strong too. Unless you are running a ton of power, you should be fine. The 8.8 in my turbo charged 5.0 held up fine but I wasn't shock loading it either. Not sure where the pinion is on an 8.8 vs the Dana axle.
What axle are you running? The Dana 44 is pretty strong. In hindsight, I would have kept mine until I smoked it.
mattp1788
Jeeper
I am running the stock narrow track 20 in the rear and 30 up front! Looking for something wider without having to put any money on these narrow tracks!
jasonmark1993
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73 CJ5, 408W, Toploader, Dana 20, 9" Dana 30 5.38 gears, next purchase=slicks
Gotcha. Im not up to speed on what width to get and then having to match the front.
I narrowed my 9 and stayed narrow track.
I narrowed my 9 and stayed narrow track.
Old Dog
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The 8.8 is a good axle, if it's out of an explorer it will have 31 spline c-clip axles, and is 59 1/2" wide.
They do have other 8.8's which only come with 28 spline axles though.
The down side is the explorer pumpkin is off set a couple inches to the pass. side and it has a 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern.
The 9' is stronger and there is a lot of different widths and spline counts out there. Most have a 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern. There is a lot of after market support for the 9" and it can be built into a monster of an axle. You can also get a high pinion 3rd member for it.
They do have other 8.8's which only come with 28 spline axles though.
The down side is the explorer pumpkin is off set a couple inches to the pass. side and it has a 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern.
The 9' is stronger and there is a lot of different widths and spline counts out there. Most have a 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern. There is a lot of after market support for the 9" and it can be built into a monster of an axle. You can also get a high pinion 3rd member for it.
jasonmark1993
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2008 ZX10R,
73 CJ5, 408W, Toploader, Dana 20, 9" Dana 30 5.38 gears, next purchase=slicks
Whats your take on the high pinion old dog? Don't they lose a bit of strength by running on the coast side?
Ive read some internet arguments that of course ended in the typical bs.
Ive read some internet arguments that of course ended in the typical bs.
Old Dog
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I'm not sure what to think. As you said they should be a little weaker
but than again I've never seen anyone have troubles with them.