Ford 9inch..........need opinions

[Inisadow]

I have been looking casually for an FSJ AMC20 rear and a waggy44 front but today I stumbeled upon a ford 9inch in the rear end of an E150 van. I dont know if I was ever considering going that hardcore but now that I have the option to and to get it cheap I am considering it now. I just looked it up and the 9inch on that van is 68inches wider so thats considerablly wider than my dana35. It looked in overall decent condition.

I plan to run 35s and probably 4.88 or 5.13 gears depending on the rear axle I get. I wheel snow,dirt hill climbs, rocks, mud, pretty much any thing I can get a tire on I will try to drive over. The one thing I do not want to have to worry about is breaking an axle. which is why currenty I have 29s with a locked dana35 and 3.5inch of lift. I have done a lot of stock vehical and slighty modified vehical wheeling and am just needing to step it up a notch now.

Well should I go full width or stick with my original plan.

[XJ Un-Limited]

A nine inch is the way to go if your looking for bullet proof. There's many options for it, depending on the money you want to spend. You can have it narrowed if it's too wide for your needs. The gear ratio selections are endless, and getting lockers for it is easy. If your thinking about haveing a hardcore wheeler down the road, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to go ahead and get it. Just make sure you go over the axle smartly (new bearings, bushings, inspect all the parts). Not exactly a direct bolt in process, but it can be done.

[Matt S.]

Becarefull with some 9"s. There are 2 different kinds. Small bearing and Big bearing. Dont wast your time on the small bearing. IIRC most vans are small bearing. If you can find one out of a old lincoln continental it will be the same with as the D35 and big bearing with disc brakes.

Matt

[jeepguy97]

An E150 are u sure its not an 8.8.

[Inisadow]

Ahh it really looked like a 9inch especially after seeing the pictures online I was researching, but yeah it also sounds like it is probably a small bearing....either way I friend of a friend has over 30 waggy and cherokee frames/axles/drivetrains he needs to get rid of for cheap so I am gunna call him up and see what he's got and what I can offer him. just got the email this morning :o