Ok my question is if I should invest money into the GM 9 bolt. Considering the whole kit from 9bolt.com is 895 then I have to pay abput 350 for install. I tried to get away cheap with a used carrier but everyone I see if beat!

I know I can get a direct bolt in 12 bolt for about 2100 or so

so when the 9 bolt is all said and done it will cost about 1300

IF IT worth it or should I just wait on the 12 bolt and live with my 2.77's!!!!!!!!

 

I think I would just wait and get a 12 bolt or the Ford 9 bolt if I were you, I only say this if you have to get a new carrier to do the swap. But if your lucky enuff to find a used 3.45 rearend complete that might be a option as well.

 

How about fabbing up a 8.8 31 spline axle out of a 95-up Ford Explorer? I'm sure you could get one cheap, and they come with either 3.73 or 4.10 gears and most of them have LSD units in them already. All you would have to do is a little welding...

 

what kinda engine power do you plan on running?

if its not much more than a stock 350 tpi than maybe just do some work on a used 10 bolt that should last awhile.

but if u were set on a 9 bolt or the 12 bolt, i would definitely hold out for a bolt in 12 bolt like Tony said.

 

What a splendid idea. Have you done this before? What is the braking setup. What power levels do they support?

Right now I have an "ultimate" 10 bolt. I fear it will not last for a whole lot of track duty. I got a fab guy that can do all my wleding.

 

you can save a few dollars on a 9" by getting all the parts and doing the assembly yourself.

 

I have to agree with MdFormula's views. It really depends on how much power you're going to put to the rear wheels. I tend to run from the idea of dealing with a nine bolt because the parts are scarce and riduculously expensive. If you're running a mildly modified stock or completely stock setup, you'd be fine with the 7.625 10 bolt. Maybe install a solid pinion spacer and a T/A Performance rear girdle for added insurance. However, if you already have or plan on having a badass engine in the future, I think it's well worth the extra money to go with the Moser 12 bolt. I've seen the old GM 12 bolts stand up to 500-600 H.P. big blocks down at the dragstrip without much complaint. Nuff said.

 

I've done the 8.8 swap into a Jeep which used a 5 link; upper and lower control arms and a track bar which centers itself on the driver's side axle housing tube. Basically we just cut the leaf brackets off, and welded on the new coil and control arm brackets.
There's a lot of stang owners running 10's on the 8.8's. I believe it's also getting popular with 4th gens to run 8.8's now too. 95-up Explorers all had rear discs and when I did my swap we just used the Ford backing plates and swapped the rest over from the Jeep's original parts. I'm not sure with the GM but Im sure it could be fabbed up quite easily.
Personally I think the best reason for going with the Explorer 8.8 is that they are dirt cheap because there are so many around. I believe they also use Dana Power-Lok or Trak-Lok LSD units.

 

HMMMM I know a guy with a 96 explorer parts car.....hmm I have an extra 10 bolt laying in my yard with all the brackets.....hmmmm sounds interesting....

Is it the right width????