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Are 9" axles different for cars and trucks?
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    Posted: 07-November-2020 at 3:21AM
I want to put a 9" 3.25 trac lock rear end in my 78 LTDII, I'm just trying to find a used one. I can find several, but most of what I'm finding are 31 spline, and mine is 28 spline.

I found a set of 31 spline axles from a late 70's truck/bronco locally to me, they're asking $25/piece. Question is, would those axles work in my rear end or were the truck rear end housings wider than they were for the cars? I've read the bearings might be larger too so the housing diameter might be a little larger?
78 LTD II sports touring package (blue), father original owner
67 Mustang (5.0)
69 Mach 1 428 SCJ Drag Pack
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Points: 146 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rons73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-November-2020 at 4:16AM
A used 28 spline trac loc type may be pretty hard to find but if you are not in a hurry one might turn up.  The truck axles are the wrong length and wheel bolt pattern, which sucks, because there are a million of them lol.
I understand wanting to do things inexpensively, keep looking!
Ron
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Points: 2650 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72 RS 351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-November-2020 at 9:19AM
Way back then the spline count was 28 for cars and light trucks, with few 31 spline bigger trucks. I guess it hasn't changed much.

You might find it easier to get a 31 spline 9", and buy new aftermarket axles if the price is right. I'd call a $125 range a decent price for an axle if they make it. Check around, if axles can be had for say near or under $300 total for both with bearings, I'd want that.
Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W
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Points: 2244 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aquartlow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-November-2020 at 1:13PM
This may help, if you already have a source for the 3.25 9" trac-lok third member and want to keep your LTD II axles. https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Ford-9-Inch-Gear-Kit-Clutch-Kit-Trac-Lok-28-Spline/productinfo/12298/
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not sure but i think you can just swap the splined axle gears???
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If I have to do any swap or rebuild it then it's not worth it, considering there's a guy locally who rebuilds them that I can get for $650, anything I want. 
78 LTD II sports touring package (blue), father original owner
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I paid a friend to build mine, I gave him one open 9" with 3.50 gears, and my blown 302 long block. I figured that was about $150 in value back then, he was happy to get the deal.

A 9" is built on a bench, most places should have reasonable prices for building one. The cost of a new differential and gears should be the biggest cost, not the build labor. I'm going to get a 31 spline True Trac and 3.50 gears for one, I expect the parts cost to be a little over $1k or so, with axles. I haven't checked on the cost of building one here yet.


Edited by 72 RS 351 - 08-November-2020 at 7:40AM
Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W
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Originally posted by 72 RS 351 72 RS 351 wrote:

I paid a friend to build mine, I gave him one open 9" with 3.50 gears, and my blown 302 long block. I figured that was about $150 in value back then, he was happy to get the deal.

A 9" is built on a bench, most places should have reasonable prices for building one. The cost of a new differential and gears should be the biggest cost, not the build labor. I'm going to get a 31 spline True Trac and 3.50 gears for one, I expect the parts cost to be a little over $1k or so, with axles. I haven't checked on the cost of building one here yet.

There's a seller (builder) on Ebay, Nininch something is his name, who runs about the best deal. My 8" for my 67 Mustang is built by him. One of those third members will run about $925 shipped. It will probably cost you about $1200 to have one built locally. That was my preferred option but the transmission shop said the $925 piece was a much better deal. That was to rebuild my current open 8", so the parts alone would have been spendy.
78 LTD II sports touring package (blue), father original owner
67 Mustang (5.0)
69 Mach 1 428 SCJ Drag Pack
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Points: 2650 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72 RS 351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08-November-2020 at 3:13PM
Yeah, labor costs have sky rocketed. I recall when I saw a bumper chromed for about $1000, I remember when it was under $150.

Our hobbies have gotten to be big business, PS; I've been selling my old comic books.
Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W
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