So i've looked into this a little bit, but still not seeing a huge difference. Not looking for anything crazy, but whats the better option and why? Any mechanical/physical difference (besides the 1 bolt) Thanks

 

They appear to be completely different except for the bolt patterns on the axles and the way the disc brake set up installs and works. The internals are different. Go to your local chevy dealer and ask about getting bearings, seals, gears, etc. for the borg warner 9 bolt and you'll probably get the same response I did,"I can order parts, if I can find them, but I won't guarantee anyone in the network has the parts."

 

The bolt patterns on the axles and the brake setups are identical between the two. Absolutely nothing else interchanges though. They're entirely different internally.

The 9 bolt is considerable stronger than 10 bolt. If I was looking for a rear-end for average street use though, I'd get a 10 bolt and strengthen it. The scarcity of parts for 9 bolts makes them not worth the trouble as far as I'm concerned.

If I was going to be racing it or abusing it in some way, I probably woudn't bother with either, and I'd be buying a 9 inch or 12 bolt or something.

 

Ya i figured neither of them were worth building up, but thats pretty much what i was looking for. It was kinda just something that made me wonder everytime i saw 9 bolt or 10 bolt listed. What can be done to strengthen the 10 bolts without getting too crazy?

Thanks Guys

 

Welding the axle tubes, using a solid pinion spacer, stud girdles, aftermarket axles... A search or a check of the tech articles will turn up all the ways to strengthen a 10 bolt.