9" Rear End Questions!!

sleeperstang · 08-27-2002, 04:29 PM

I know 9" rear ends are the way to go for durability, strength, and all around Ford pride. What I'm curious about is what cars were they installed on that had a similar (or equal) width as that of a 1965 mustang. What kind of leaf spring problems can I run into? Are the pads wide enough, what kind of modification would be involved? I'm done with my suspension (mainly front) for the most part and I'm going on to focus on the drive train, so I am trying to get some info so that I can start collecting parts (Saturday Junk Yard Visits) for the swap. In case you need details as to what I am looking to do...

Desired drivetrain:

T-5Z World Class Transsmission
9" Traction-Lock Rear End
Eventually want 16-17" tires (Whatever I go with will be same size all around)
Leaf Springs?
Cross Member? (Ron Morris?.....ModernDriveline?)]
Mainly a driver car w/High Performance Engine (Probably looking at 350-370 HP on a 289 engine).
May see Saturday Race Driving 1-2 times a year.

I'm just trying to get a good idea of what I am getting into. Any and all info would help! Thanks!

gofastmercury · 08-27-2002, 10:44 PM

The 65-66 uses a 57.25 diff. Factory ones the same width are the 57-59 rancheros and station wagons. The later mustangs till 70 were 2' wider. The 1977-1981 Versailles rears are 58.5. pretty close, but might give you grief. Hope this helps.

sleeperstang · 08-28-2002, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gofastmercury
The 65-66 uses a 57.25 diff. Factory ones the same width are the 57-59 rancheros and station wagons. The later mustangs till 70 were 2' wider. The 1977-1981 Versailles rears are 58.5. pretty close, but might give you grief. Hope this helps.

Great info, the question now is: Will the pumpking from say a '57 ranchero fit right in the place of my current 8" without having to modify my axle? <---Not sure if this is a dumb question, but even if it is, I wouldn't mind getting an answer and looking dumb

! Of those diff's on the 57-59 ranchero's, did they come with traction-lok or where they open rear's? Thanks!

John Z · 08-28-2002, 10:12 AM

The pumpkin from a 9" will not fit into an 8" housing. You're looking at changing the entire thing, from brake drum to brake drum, depending on the 9" you get. The rear ends from the late 50's are getting hard to find. Most any thing else will have to be shortened by a shop and your looking at $$$. For a few more $$ you can get a new 9" from Currie that is made for your car. HTH

fastback brian · 09-01-2002, 03:18 AM

Go for the `980 granada 9 inch. Its a perfect replacment for the 8 inch you have, the brakes and axles you have will work with the granada housing. They are kinda rare but not as much as the 57 axle or the hipo axle and plus they are a much stronger design.

lightemup83 · 09-03-2002, 02:28 PM

about the versallies rears. arent versallies hard to find i cant find any in my area.

fastback brian · 09-03-2002, 09:28 PM

The vesi rear axle is way easier to find than the 1980 granada axle and the hipo axle. The problem is that you wont be the first to find it, someone who sells em for a profit usually gets em first. You should ask around to find one. You can bet that someone has a stock pile of them just sitting.

The Deuce · 09-06-2002, 05:24 PM

I read on a falcon site about guys running the Explorers rear end. But I'm not sure the width, and I'm pretty sure its an open rear. It's 9" though, with 5 lugs and discs.

gofastmercury · 09-06-2002, 05:32 PM

the exporler diff is a 8.8, pretty sure it can come as a posi, not sure of the width.

Jeff65 · 09-10-2002, 11:05 AM

I know 9" rear ends are the way to go for durability, strength, and all around Ford pride. What I'm curious about is what cars were they installed on that had a similar (or equal) width as that of a 1965 mustang. What kind of leaf spring problems can I run into? Are the pads wide enough, what kind of modification would be involved? I'm done with my suspension (mainly front) for the most part and I'm going on to focus on the drive train, so I am trying to get some info so that I can start collecting parts (Saturday Junk Yard Visits) for the swap. In case you need details as to what I am looking to do...

Desired drivetrain:

T-5Z World Class Transsmission
9" Traction-Lock Rear End
Eventually want 16-17" tires (Whatever I go with will be same size all around)
Leaf Springs?
Cross Member? (Ron Morris?.....ModernDriveline?)]
Mainly a driver car w/High Performance Engine (Probably looking at 350-370 HP on a 289 engine).
May see Saturday Race Driving 1-2 times a year.

I'm just trying to get a good idea of what I am getting into. Any and all info would help! Thanks!

Trans...$1,600 including adapters, crossmember, etc. More if you are now automatic.

9" TL...$900

Tires & Wheels...you can figure it...

Leaf Springs (Eaton-Detroit) $200 tops
Coils (ProMotorsports Engineering/Eibach) $160
Crossmember...depends on your choice of bell housing. If you use Toploader bell housing/adapter plate then California Pony Cars. $300.

Engine...sky is the limit and you'll be flying high at 350hp or above. Won't be much of a driver due to high state of engine tune. If this is your goal, then 351w is what you really want. In the end, it will be as cheap or cheaper.

08-27-2002, 04:29 PM	#1
sleeperstang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lynwood, CA, U.S.A. Posts: 82	9" Rear End Questions!! I know 9" rear ends are the way to go for durability, strength, and all around Ford pride. What I'm curious about is what cars were they installed on that had a similar (or equal) width as that of a 1965 mustang. What kind of leaf spring problems can I run into? Are the pads wide enough, what kind of modification would be involved? I'm done with my suspension (mainly front) for the most part and I'm going on to focus on the drive train, so I am trying to get some info so that I can start collecting parts (Saturday Junk Yard Visits) for the swap. In case you need details as to what I am looking to do... Desired drivetrain: T-5Z World Class Transsmission 9" Traction-Lock Rear End Eventually want 16-17" tires (Whatever I go with will be same size all around) Leaf Springs? Cross Member? (Ron Morris?.....ModernDriveline?)] Mainly a driver car w/High Performance Engine (Probably looking at 350-370 HP on a 289 engine). May see Saturday Race Driving 1-2 times a year. I'm just trying to get a good idea of what I am getting into. Any and all info would help! Thanks! __________________ 65 Mustang Coupe...Comp Cams 262 Xtreme Energy, T-5 conversion, Romac Balancer, 620 Front Springs-4.5 Mid-eye rear springs.......work in progress Last edited by sleeperstang; 08-27-2002 at 04:42 PM..

08-27-2002, 10:44 PM	#2
gofastmercury Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: calgary alberta canada Posts: 366	The 65-66 uses a 57.25 diff. Factory ones the same width are the 57-59 rancheros and station wagons. The later mustangs till 70 were 2' wider. The 1977-1981 Versailles rears are 58.5. pretty close, but might give you grief. Hope this helps. __________________ 93LXcopcarSOLD14.3@96 @ 4500ft 2.02 60ft on street tires. my 67 ranchero NOT A 390 ANY MORE! 460! 3.70's cast manifolds, comp cams 262H, performer, 750DP 100K out of 79 F250 NEW(oct20/02)14.58@95mph 2.3 60 ft corrects to:13.86@100 66 merc comet351w, isky roller 600 lift 268/260@.050, vic jr. 700DP, 5000stall, 4.56's c-4, 3400lbs with driver 12.3@110 @ 4000ft 1.69 60 ft corrects to:11.69@115

08-28-2002, 10:12 AM	#4
John Z Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 102	The pumpkin from a 9" will not fit into an 8" housing. You're looking at changing the entire thing, from brake drum to brake drum, depending on the 9" you get. The rear ends from the late 50's are getting hard to find. Most any thing else will have to be shortened by a shop and your looking at $$$. For a few more $$ you can get a new 9" from Currie that is made for your car. HTH __________________ 68 coupe, 302 w/ Edelbrock performance parts, T5, 3.55 rear, needs paint!

09-06-2002, 05:24 PM	#8
The Deuce Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,325	I read on a falcon site about guys running the Explorers rear end. But I'm not sure the width, and I'm pretty sure its an open rear. It's 9" though, with 5 lugs and discs. __________________ 1997 Mustang GT "The Freak" - 13.80 @ 101.70, 2.07 60' 1995 Honda VFR750 - not much @ really fast (actual data pending.) 1964.5 Mustang 289 Rice Haters Club Member #13

09-06-2002, 05:32 PM	#9
gofastmercury Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: calgary alberta canada Posts: 366	the exporler diff is a 8.8, pretty sure it can come as a posi, not sure of the width. __________________ 93LXcopcarSOLD14.3@96 @ 4500ft 2.02 60ft on street tires. my 67 ranchero NOT A 390 ANY MORE! 460! 3.70's cast manifolds, comp cams 262H, performer, 750DP 100K out of 79 F250 NEW(oct20/02)14.58@95mph 2.3 60 ft corrects to:13.86@100 66 merc comet351w, isky roller 600 lift 268/260@.050, vic jr. 700DP, 5000stall, 4.56's c-4, 3400lbs with driver 12.3@110 @ 4000ft 1.69 60 ft corrects to:11.69@115

09-01-2002, 03:18 AM	#5
fastback brian Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: So Cal, I.E. Posts: 3	Go for the `980 granada 9 inch. Its a perfect replacment for the 8 inch you have, the brakes and axles you have will work with the granada housing. They are kinda rare but not as much as the 57 axle or the hipo axle and plus they are a much stronger design.

09-03-2002, 02:28 PM	#6
lightemup83 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 7	about the versallies rears. arent versallies hard to find i cant find any in my area.

09-03-2002, 09:28 PM	#7
fastback brian Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: So Cal, I.E. Posts: 3	The vesi rear axle is way easier to find than the 1980 granada axle and the hipo axle. The problem is that you wont be the first to find it, someone who sells em for a profit usually gets em first. You should ask around to find one. You can bet that someone has a stock pile of them just sitting.

09-10-2002, 11:05 AM	#10
Jeff65 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 208	I know 9" rear ends are the way to go for durability, strength, and all around Ford pride. What I'm curious about is what cars were they installed on that had a similar (or equal) width as that of a 1965 mustang. What kind of leaf spring problems can I run into? Are the pads wide enough, what kind of modification would be involved? I'm done with my suspension (mainly front) for the most part and I'm going on to focus on the drive train, so I am trying to get some info so that I can start collecting parts (Saturday Junk Yard Visits) for the swap. In case you need details as to what I am looking to do... Desired drivetrain: T-5Z World Class Transsmission 9" Traction-Lock Rear End Eventually want 16-17" tires (Whatever I go with will be same size all around) Leaf Springs? Cross Member? (Ron Morris?.....ModernDriveline?)] Mainly a driver car w/High Performance Engine (Probably looking at 350-370 HP on a 289 engine). May see Saturday Race Driving 1-2 times a year. I'm just trying to get a good idea of what I am getting into. Any and all info would help! Thanks! Trans...$1,600 including adapters, crossmember, etc. More if you are now automatic. 9" TL...$900 Tires & Wheels...you can figure it... Leaf Springs (Eaton-Detroit) $200 tops Coils (ProMotorsports Engineering/Eibach) $160 Crossmember...depends on your choice of bell housing. If you use Toploader bell housing/adapter plate then California Pony Cars. $300. Engine...sky is the limit and you'll be flying high at 350hp or above. Won't be much of a driver due to high state of engine tune. If this is your goal, then 351w is what you really want. In the end, it will be as cheap or cheaper.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
cobra rear questions	dragstang86	Windsor Power	3	07-02-2003 06:56 PM
9" rear	RDRZ	Classic Mustangs	12	03-24-2002 01:05 PM
9" rear end swap questions - Please respond	2FastLX	Windsor Power	2	08-21-2001 01:31 PM
rear end questions	Erik	Classic Mustangs	5	08-13-2001 07:26 PM
REAR END/ CLUTCH PACK QUESTIONS??	96SNAKE	Modular Madness	2	07-09-2001 03:31 PM