78 Step Side 9 inch Ford rear end swap

[QuikTruck]

Thought that it was about time to beef up the rear end to something stronger and safer. I have seen too many times a c-clip style axle with the wheel and tire still attached rolling down the track as the car or truck sat stationary on the pavement. I found a bare housing on RJ that was already the correct width that I needed and a third member on CL. I ordered axles from Moser and set of drum brakes from Quick Performance. I fabed some shock mounts to work with the rancho shocks that I already had to complete the project.

[topp]

Sacrilege!

[fitz]

Sacrilege!

I'm all for making out vehicles stronger and safer.
My 69 Camaro has a Dana 60 from an early 70's mopar in it. It's been in the car since 1978. I consider it part of my cars history now.

[bake74]

     So how much of an investment is it for a swap like that ?

[QuikTruck]

I have about 1400 in the swap. That included brand new Moser axles with bearings and studs, new drum brake kit and some other smaller parts like u-joints etc... The housing was the right width but I did have to relocate the leaf spring pads and  fabricated the shock mounts. The center section was the biggest single expense and I may upgrade it sometime in the future depending how it holds up.

[team39763]

Any updates on this project?  How did it turn out for you?

[QuikTruck]

I am very happy with the results, luckily I didn't have to cut the driveshaft and the factory e-brake cables worked. I also have heard that a 9 inch takes more horsepower to turn but that doesn't seem to be the case. My best time after the swap was actually a couple of hundredths better than with the old 12 bolt. Some things to consider if doing this kind of swap are finding parts that don't require any kind of specialty tools or services to make them work. If you can do it yourself or it will work for you without modification it will save you tons of money. My biggest expense were the axles and the brake kits. I probably could have found some used items but I chose the aftermarket axles for their strength and the brake kit because I wouldn't have hunt for interchangeable application for my housing. Thanks for your intrest.
 

[team39763]

What kinda times you runnin?  I might look into a Ford 9" soon if I can't get my 12bolt to work.  Thanks for the good info and pics.

[QuikTruck]

My best time so far is 11.274 @ 116.42 with a 1.552 60 ft. time. That was in desent air and temps around mid 70's. That was in Sept. of last year, soon after I put the 9 inch in it. Prior to that the best time with the 12 bolt was 11.29, but I don't recall the weather conditions.

[bake74]

     Actually for what you are using your truck for It makes sense to upgrade your axle, I enjoyed reading about the swap, thanks for the info.

[clay7]

wow,what do you have thats pushing that thing to low 11's?

[84chvy]

i like your exhaust setup. what exactly is it?

[QuikTruck]

It's a 3.00" X-Pipe set-up from an outfit called Torque Tech with Flowmasters ....it wasn't  made for a truck but it worked. I believe it was a kit for an early f-body.