Gears & Axles - Alternatives to a moser/strange 12bolt or 9"

A Dana 40 <img src="images/icons/tongue.gif" border="0">

I just don't see how a 8.8 is going to be appreciably cheaper once you get everything sorted out. When you talk about changing the axle tube length, new axles, new gears, new diff, custom torque arm bracket, new spring perches, etc. the price adds up quickly. Try doing a breakdown and figuring what it would actually cost.


Chris

Im in the same dilemna. I really dont want to pay 2500 bucks for a rearend right now. My stock one is doing fine but, I learned the joy of spraying out of the hole so it has to be replaced before it grenades. <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0"> .... I asked around about beefing the stocker and got extremely negative feedback. So much for that idea.

There has to be an economical alternative to these $2500 rearends. I was thinking of a 8.8 Ford from something like a 90's T-bird. Here are some of the pros to this setup.

1) much less expensive. (may need to be shortened)
2) come with disk brakes.
3) Strong enough for the majority of our cars.
4) Non-leaf spring springs?

Cons:

1) may lose ABS and/or traction control.

I recall Brooke (99Redhawk) had an 8.8 at one time. I believe he mentioned the one he had needed to be lengthened but he knew of an 8.8 that would need some shortening. Brooke, if your around give us some input.

I'm investing in a 9"....people tell me I can build on the 10bolt but screw that...its crap...I need a strong rear that can take a few gernades and a 5000k dump off the line on spray... <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0">

Hey Kevin, long time no see!

8.8 Ford rearend will take alot of work to make fit our cars. The axle tubes need to be lengthened (depends on which vehicle it came from), custom axles need to be ordered with the 4.75" BC lug pattern, internals upgraded, spring perches fabricated, lower control arm mounts fabricated, and there is still no provision for the torque arm.

The aftermarket 12-bolts are sweet, because they bolt right in and have the torque-arm mounting points actually cast into the housing like the stock rearend.

Best mod I've done so far on this car, by far. Dumping the clutch at 5500-6000 rpm multiple times on slicks and still being able to drive home is a great feeling. 1.5X 60' times in a full-weight, stock suspension, 6-speed F-body is a cool feeling <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

Stock rearends are horrible. I busted 4 of them before learning. Talk about learning the hard (and expensive) way. All those tow truck rides and rebuilds would have paid for the 12-bolt in the first place!

Tony <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[Burnout]" />

KTRE makes a 12-Bolt.

Don't know if it's too much cheaper though. <img src="images/icons/confused.gif" border="0">

<img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

Nineball...
I thought you had a 9 inch?
no flames

only other rear-end that i know aftermarket makes is a Dana 60 rear-end

im pretty sure DTS makes one that is a bolt in situation with a torque arm

talk about BEEFY!

I believe one of the sponsers was talking about taking impala read ends and retro fitting them. supposedly a good deal stronger than our stock ones and they thought they could do them for significantly less than the 12 bolts

I love my Strange 12 bolt! Came full assembled and bolted right in!

KTRE: They are perhaps one of the worst vendors ever to grace the f-body market. They had their credit card priveldges revoked after they screwed about 12 members of the f-body mailing list out of 2200 each (no rear ends) - after 7-9 months of waiting. There is no way I would ever do business with them, nor would I want to support any vendor who actively stole money from fellow enthusiast.


Dana 60: This is VERY strong, and actually more effecient than the 12bolt even (95%, vs. 94 for 12 bolts, and 92 for 9"). Only problem is you can tack on another 30-40 lbs from weight. The extra percent of effeciency comes no where near offsetting this, thus you have made your car appreciably slower. It will also be pricey as it doesn't enjoy the same aftermarket as either the 12bolt or 9"


WFO_SS: Nope, Tony definitely has a 12 bolt

Blackbird: It was Joe Price/JPR who mentioned fitting an 8.5" 10 bolt to our car. They can be made to last, and probably would be plenty for an auto - but for a six speed I would still want a 12 bolt/9" minimum.


Chris

Yea I love my strange 12 bolt too!!

Currie Enterprises Nine Plus rear. No Ford parts. All aftermarket. All brackets installed. And caliper mounts installed!( I don't know about backing plates.) Torque Lock differential is standard. I was quoted $2150 shipped to my door! Power-Trax no-slip is a $120 option. 9+ Race Case (Good for 900hp) is a $120 option. No-ABS, but I bet it won't be long before someone figures out an add-on adaptor.
This is the best deal out there I think. Wide range of gear selections also. About 7 or 8 different differentials to choose from. 31, 35, or <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0"> 40spline <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0"> axles available. <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />

[quote]Originally posted by 1CAMWNDR:
<strong>31, 35, or <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0"> 40spline <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0"> axles available. <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

just to let people know....i'm pretty sure that the 40spline axles are gun drilled

and FWIW a gun drilled 4x spline axle is probably
lighter than a 31,33,35 spline axle, as well as stronger. Just normally more $$$$

And yep, if you are thinking 9" - go with a nodular centersection and a billet pinion support - or you will be replacing it after it breaks like I am.


Chris