Inside Ford 9-Inch Rearends

The earliest 9-inch housing is identified by its two dimples, fill plug, and round shape without much triangulation from the centersection down to the axle tubes. Ford built these housings with the tubes butt-welded to the centersection, which is not very strong.
The earliest 9-inch housing is identified by its two dimples, fill plug, and round shape w
The next phase of design was very similar with the dimples and fill plug, but there’s more support of the axle tubes thanks to a longer transition to the tubes to provide triangulation. These are among the most common housings, and many shops use them when making custom setups.
The next phase of design was very similar with the dimples and fill plug, but there’s
Around 1977, Ford introduced a second version of the triangulated housing for use in Broncos and 1/2-ton trucks; it’s easily identified by the different shape of the rear of the pumpkin. This is the housing most likely to come stock with the preferable large-bearing axle-tube ends, but the aftermarket can also supply weld-on tube ends, so it’s not that big of a deal.
Around 1977, Ford introduced a second version of the triangulated housing for use in Bronc

Many shops upgrade the strength of the housing by increasing the diameter of the tubes. This Currie Extra-Heavy-Duty setup is an early triangular housing that’s been modified with 31/4-inch-diameter, 0.250-wall seamless tubes that are pressed into the centersection a full 7 inches before being welded. For most street/strip cars, the increased strength more than makes up for the added weight.
Many shops upgrade the strength of the housing by increasing the diameter of the tubes. Th
Finally, for really heavy or really fast street cars, Currie offers the Extreme-Duty housing with both the large axle tubes and an extra brace across the back. Also note the weld-on oil-fill bung at the top.
Finally, for really heavy or really fast street cars, Currie offers the Extreme-Duty housi

Ford 9-inch rearends are ubiquitous in the world of gearheads. Even a Chevy guy could probably tell you that the 9-inch was introduced in 1957 and that the dropout-centersection design, high-hypoid gear cut, and pinion-nose bearing make it a convenient and sturdy rearend. Those are some of the reasons why car crafters with all makes of vehicles have swapped 9-inches into their cars with help from one of many shops that'll build the Ford diff in any configuration you need. But with over 40 years of stock variants and aftermarket upgrades available, it pays to know what youre getting into when buying or upgrading a 9-inch.

That's what this story is here for. Our friends at Currie Enterprises were among the first to offer custom 9-inch diffs, and while they now handle Danas and GM 12-bolts as well, they're considered among the most knowledgeable 9-inch tuners out there. In addition to sourcing infor-mation from the catalogs of many manufacturers, we toured the Currie shop and picked their brains to provide this overview of the most common 9-inch pieces you'll have to choose from for the typical serious streeter.

SOURCES
Auburn Gear Auburn IN 2-60/-925-3200 Auburngear.com	Jack Chrisman Driveline Components 1321 S. Lewis St. Anaheim CA 92805
Be Cool Radiators Essexville MI www.becool.com	Mark Williams Enterprises 8-66/-508-6394 www.markwilliams.com
Chassis Engineering P.O. Box 70 West Branch IA 52358 3-19/-643-2645	Moser Engineering Inc. RR4, Box 22 Airport Industrial Park Portland IN 47371
Currie Enterprises 7-14/-528-6957 www.currieenterprises.com	Reider Racing 12351 Universal Dr. Taylor MI 48180
Drive Train Specialists (DTS) 26400 Groesbeck Hwy. Warren MI 48089	Strange Engineering Morton Grove IL 8-47/-663-1701 Strangeengineering.net
Ford Motorsport SVO 44050 N. Groesbeck Hwy. Clinton Township Mi 48036 8-10/-468-1356

Inside Ford 9-Inch Rearends

No, They’re Not All the Same

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