Does a 9 bolt use the same ring gear bolts as a 10 bolt?

 

no

 

What's the difference? Ratech lists the same ring gear bolt for both 9 and 10 bolts on their website?

 

the head is bigger I belive. I am sure others will "work" kinda like the solid pinion spacer I used in my 9bolt

 

Early 10 bolts are 7.5", and later 10 bolts are 7.625". They are interchangeable.

9 bolts are 7.75" and only 9 bolt specific gears will work. If Ratech lists the same gears for both rear ends, they are wrong.

 

Looked up the specs on each at Randy's Ring and Pinion. The 9 bolt ring gear bolts are 7/16x20 LH thread, the 10 bolt ring gear bolts are 3/8x24 LH thread. Since they're both LH thread, you have to go clockwise to loosen them on either rear.

 

I'm talking ring gear bolts, not the ring gears.

 

OK, did some calling around and found that the 9 bolt and 10 bolt do use the same 7/16x20 LH thread bolts. There is also a 3/8x24 LH 10 bolt ring gear bolt as well but for the F bodies they are the same 7/16x20. This also happens to be the same bolt as the 8.5" 10 bolt truck rear end too. Just spoke with Summit and they confirmed all the info so a set of Ratech ring gear bolts is on it's way. ARP has them too but at $75 I went with Ratech since this is a street car. Thanks Pat Hall for the info, that made clearing this up a lot easier.