lowest-cost 9.75" axle swap, follow along
02-14-2016, 07:25 AM
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lowest-cost 9.75" axle swap, follow along Yes, a Ford axle, from an Expedition. 34-spline, 3.08:1 for me, 5-lug can be re-drilled to the GM lug circle. But I'm ditching the torque arm for a shorter third link on the top right.
Not leaf-sprung like F150HD, so the bracketry may be useful. I do know that once I press the lug studs out, the outer pilot will have to be lathed down to fit inside 'vette wheels, I'm probably going 17x11. Early versions use smaller outer ( wheel-end ) bearings, which is a good thing for this swap. Having tried to home-drill Explorer axleshafts, I'm guessing these can't be done at home either. But I can get the whole thing for around $150, with the strength of a Strange S60 and the 3.08:1 gears of a Strange 12-bolt, so why not?
I don't have a trans yet for my 4.8L LSx swap, so a 4L80E means I can turbo with this strong of an axle.
I've already tried an 8.8 from an '01 Mustang GT, fabricated a torque arm mount. Also did a Dana 60, that was easier to torque-arm. But Semi-float D60s are rare and not 35-spline, and only go down to 3.54:1, plus they're heavier than the F9.75. D61s can go 3.07:1, but they were never semi-float.
Not leaf-sprung like F150HD, so the bracketry may be useful. I do know that once I press the lug studs out, the outer pilot will have to be lathed down to fit inside 'vette wheels, I'm probably going 17x11. Early versions use smaller outer ( wheel-end ) bearings, which is a good thing for this swap. Having tried to home-drill Explorer axleshafts, I'm guessing these can't be done at home either. But I can get the whole thing for around $150, with the strength of a Strange S60 and the 3.08:1 gears of a Strange 12-bolt, so why not?
I don't have a trans yet for my 4.8L LSx swap, so a 4L80E means I can turbo with this strong of an axle.
I've already tried an 8.8 from an '01 Mustang GT, fabricated a torque arm mount. Also did a Dana 60, that was easier to torque-arm. But Semi-float D60s are rare and not 35-spline, and only go down to 3.54:1, plus they're heavier than the F9.75. D61s can go 3.07:1, but they were never semi-float.
