Chevy Chevelle Ford 9 Inch Rear Axle - The Great Rear Axle Comparo

Chevy Chevelle Rear Axle Swap Ford 9 Inch Installed

The Ford was the first rearend assembly that we tested. By the third rearend install, Westech's Ernie Mana and the author swapped housings in less than 30 minutes.

The Ford was the first rearend assembly that we tested. By the third rearend install, West

Ford 9-Inch
The most popular performance rearend housing for musclecars has to be the Ford 9-inch. Before companies like Moser began reproducing the 12-bolt housings, the 9-inch was the choice for a bulletproof rear axle assembly. Currie offers several different ways to slip a 9-inch into a Chevelle, from brackets that you weld to your own housing to a complete, assembled housing where all you have to do is add gear oil and bolt it in place. We went with a Currie housing with 31-spline performance axles and a 9+ Sportsman centersection. This nodular unit is stronger than the factory cast-iron centers, so it can take more abuse without cracking. To this we added a 3.50:1 gearset along with a Currie-built 31-spline Torque Sensitive Differential (TSD) clutch-type limited slip. Along with an iron pinion support and a complete bearing set, we finished it off with a Ford 11-inch drum-brake assembly. This is the system we installed in our Chevelle, but Currie offers dozens of other options for the 9-inch. As with the other rearends, Moser and Strange also offer parts and assembled 9-inch rearends for most popular muscle cars.

Our Currie 9-inch is equipped with a 9+ Sportsman iron centersection, which does add 1 pound to the assembly weight compared with a stock gear carrier. If weight is a critical factor, Strange offers an aluminum version, available through Currie. Another way to trim a few ounces is with an aluminum pinion support.
Our Currie 9-inch is equipped with a 9+ Sportsman iron centersection, which does add 1 pou
Another reason the 9-inch is stronger is because the pinion support bearing helps prevent pinion gear deflection under load. By preventing pinion deflection, the 9-inch can maintain better tooth contact, which improves torque capacity.
Another reason the 9-inch is stronger is because the pinion support bearing helps prevent
Currie also supplied the 11-inch Ford drum-brake package for the 9-inch. The large drums add 60-plus pounds to the overall rear axle weight. A lightweight disc-brake package would probably trim 20 pounds.
Currie also supplied the 11-inch Ford drum-brake package for the 9-inch. The large drums a

DESCRIPTION	PN	SOURCE	PRICE
Currie 9-inch housing, 31 axles	GMA6466X	Currie Enterprises	$1,156.95
Currie center, with gears/Trac-Lok	9IN350S31TLSRD	Currie Enterprises	999.65(call)
Currie 9+ Sportsman case	9+-94026	Currie Enterprises	269.92
Currie TSD limited slip	CE-5020	Currie Enterprises	389.95
Currie 3.50:1 street gearset	CE-4004	Currie Enterprises	199.95
Currie pinion support, 9+	CE-94033	Currie Enterprises	95.95
Currie 11-inch drum-brake kit	CE-6005A	Currie Enterprises	349.95