I am about to start fitting my nine inch in the car and need to know where to cut the axle tubes to get the right placement. I believe this nine inch is out of a truck but cant tell for sure but its pretty wide. Anyone in here know where to cut or at least measure is for the cut? Any special way any of you have done it? Thanks, Daniel.

 

remove the plug weld, arc air would be my choice

 

Im trying to figure out where to cut the axle tubes so that it sits in the car like stock length 10 bolt would. Do I just take measurement from the point where the axle tube meets the differential out to the end of the axle tube on the old 10 bolt then make the same measurment on the 9 inch and mark it on 9 inch, then take as much material out of the middle as I need then weld the two halves together? I have never narrowed a rear axle before so I just need a little help. thanks, Daniel

 

figure out what over all length you want. remove the plug weld and shorthen, or replace the tube, and reweld the tube to the center section with the plug welds, and a fillet around each tube. don't cut a piece out of the middle. i'm guessing you have fixtures for this rught?

 

I'd also guess you have the fixtures. That's the alignment device. It's a rod the goes through the diff and has bushings to replace the bearings. Once all together, it keeps the axle tubes in alignment for welding. If you just try to weld the tubes back up without one, you risk having a tube warp and it will be out of alignment. This will eat up axle bearings later on.

It's not that hard to have one made up especially if you have access to a lathe. Some bushings made up to simulate bearings or bearing races. The center hole in the bushings needs to be the same size as the rod that goes through the diff. Some sort of adjuster on the rod to tighten it all down. You'll need 4 bushings since you need to do it with a center section installed. No gears or carrier, just a blank center section.

There are a couple of ways to shorten a diff. The above method of grinding out the plug weld to pull the tubes out. I've also seen people cut the tubes right at the housing ends (inner ends). Then cut the tubes and have them welded back onto the housing. The third method is to cut the ends off the tubes. Cut the tubes to the desired length then weld new ends onto the tubes for whatever mount pattern you wish to use. There are 3 or 4 different 9" ends. I use the Large Ford myself. That's also how you can adapt some other backing plate onto a different diff. Weld a large Ford flange onto a Dana 60 diff etc.

Normally when you cut a tube, use a 14" chop saw. Use some test tubes to make sure the saw is cutting square. Best way to draw a line around a tube is to wrap a piece of paper around the tube and mark along the edge.

 

Thank you for ya'lls help. I have a fixture that I borrowed from one of my buddies that builds rock crawlers. So I just need to cut the weld that holds the tubes to the diff. then cut the tubes on the inside (closest to diff.) then weld em back up instead of cut the middle ou. Allright thank ya'll very much. Very helpful bunch.

Daniel

 

we accept tips

 

Trust me, if I had some, ya'll might get some. But Im a broke country boy from Alabama having to do everything myself. Built the engine myself, built the trans myself, built both rear ends myself, did the cage myself ,dash and electrical myself. I just couldnt put myself through having to pay for someone to work on my car. Thats why it has taken me almost a year and a half to finish this car. I work at Adamson ford on the weekends and on the weekdays I have school so I have very little time to work on it but at least my school lets me work on some stuff there. Thanks again. Daniel

 

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