Axles for 38's

[SeanP]

Actually, No.
There are no cheap third members for a 35 spline 9".
35 Spline requires the aftermarket 3.250" main bearing cases. Stock Ford stuff is all 3.0625" (with the noted exception of some very, very rare muscle car cases from the late 60s).

A 33 spline is the biggest shaft you can run in a stock case. And only spools are available for the 33 spline.

I used the Strange nodular iron case. Once completed with the pinion support, spool, bearings, billet yoke and gears it was almost $1300 delivered from Randy's R&P. Had I have gone with a locker rather than the spool, you could have added another $200-$500 to that price.

The cheapest way to go 35 spline (or equivalent) is to do a D60 or 14B.

I'm an absolute lover of the Ford 9" axle but once you get beyond the 31 spline factory options, being cheap is no longer one of it's benefits.

My Strange Nodular case for the 3.25" bearings was NIB on Ebay for $219, pinion support was $60, R&P $199, bearings and setup kit, $139, and detroit was $485 at the time. Just under $1200, but I did the set up myself. And of course when I say "I", I mean "Crash".

This is all for low pinion. TruHi9 is about twice what I have into my lowpinion from what I read. Not sure if the bang is worth the buck in a longer wheelbase rig, but that's a whole nother debate.

SeanP

 

[TrailHunter]

For me, I wanted 35 spline and didn't want to buy an axle to have to upgrade it to 35 spline. I chose a D70U which came with the shafts I wanted and It has a smooth bottom that's 6.25" from the axle centerline. That's only an 1" more than a D44 and the same or better than some D60s. I know you can shave a 9" and be comparible to a D44, but it's all about how much money you want to spend. I got my rearend for 100 bucks at a local Norcal yard. Some gears and a detroit running 900 setting it up myself. I also spend a couple hundred on some 3/4 ton disc brakes.

I would also point out that the 9" guys didn't add in the 35 spline shafts that I got for free. However they aren't alloys.

 

[C-ROK]

My Strange Nodular case for the 3.25" bearings was NIB on Ebay for $219, pinion support was $60, R&P $199, bearings and setup kit, $139, and detroit was $485 at the time. Just under $1200, but I did the set up myself. And of course when I say "I", I mean "Crash".

This is all for low pinion. TruHi9 is about twice what I have into my lowpinion from what I read. Not sure if the bang is worth the buck in a longer wheelbase rig, but that's a whole nother debate.

SeanP

No real difference in price from what I paid. The billet yoke I have is another $100 or so and I might have a little more expensive pinion support.
I'm sure you had some S&H with all of that too. And then there's the $300-$350 for axles and wheel bearings too.

What I thought you were suggesting was that complete third members (which isn't what you wrote but what I understood) could be had for cheap. Sorry for mis-reading.

I guess my point would be that going 35 spline in a 9" is not an inexpensive swap. Essentially nothing but the housing itself (and maybe pinion yoke) is retained when you convert from 31 spline to 35. You final cost to convert is probably well above what you would spend putting a D60, D70 or 14B under it. Of course when wheel bolt patterns and possibly narrowing (if you're not FW) are considered, those option lose their cheap appeal too.

 

[MontanaXJ]

A Strange or Currie nodular big bearing case with the nodular Daytona pinion support would be the way to go. I bought Yukon shafts and I don't have any doubts that they will hold up just fine.

I went 35 spline because the price difference between a 31 setup like the 35 was basically the same price. The shafts do cost a bit more, but in the big picture it wasn't that much. I'm only running 35's, but if/when I want something bigger I don't have to worry about upgrading.

I've got $1317 into my 3rd member. Currie nodular big bearing case, Daytona nodular support, 5.13, Detroit, and yoke assembled from completeoffroad.com. No shipping charges, just a handling charge of $9.95 for my entire order.

Greg

 

[Goatman]

It's $1650 for a High9 with a 35 spline spool, and $1950 with a Detroit, and that includes the gear setup. Seems like once you go 35 spline on a 9" you might as well go High9 for the few extra bucks. I know for a number of you guys that already have them, it wasn't an option when you did it. For a mostly trail rig, a HD shaved housing and spooled 35 spline High9 is an inexpensive, strong, and high clearance option.

 

[Ivanfrq]

Theres a ford 10.5 rear axle on the classifieds

 

[xjfan1974]

My friend run a 9" w/ 31 spline and never broke anything yet he has wheeled his rig for 3 years now. He been to Moab, Colorado, Clayton, Tellico, South Dakota, Disney...On the same 9" with he replace the shaft ever year. Is the only thing he does.

 

[XJ_ranger]

... never broke anything yet ... he replace the shaft ever year...

??

 

[C-ROK]

My friend run a 9" w/ 31 spline and never broke anything yet he has wheeled his rig for 3 years now. He been to Moab, Colorado, Clayton, Tellico, South Dakota, Disney...On the same 9" with he replace the shaft ever year. Is the only thing he does.

And one time, at band camp.....

 

[Ghost]

My friend run a 9" w/ 31 spline and never broke anything yet he has wheeled his rig for 3 years now. He been to Moab, Colorado, Clayton, Tellico, South Dakota, Disney...On the same 9" with he replace the shaft ever year. Is the only thing he does.

My question is what engine, tranny and tcase combo is he running and what tire size? 4 popper, auto, 3:1 low and 33's would not likely break one you know.....

 

[OT]

When will people learn, that anything a friend does or gets away with, never really matters here.

 

[Jump This]

When will people learn, that anything a friend does or gets away with, never really matters here.

But...but...but...Ummmmmm.....Goatmans a friend!!!
RickR :sunshine:

 

[kleake]

A little off topic, but since we are talking about axles,,, how strong is a D35 with the 30 spline Superior "Super 35" kit and a Detroit? I know it won't handle anything like 38's, but would it handle 35's, or 33's? Same question for a Super 30? I know the weak point on the 30 would become the ring and pinion, but what is the max tire size you would recommend on each?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Ramsey]

35s and be easy on the pedal and it would probably last fine.

 

[MontanaXJ]

It's $1650 for a High9 with a 35 spline spool, and $1950 with a Detroit, and that includes the gear setup. Seems like once you go 35 spline on a 9" you might as well go High9 for the few extra bucks. I know for a number of you guys that already have them, it wasn't an option when you did it. For a mostly trail rig, a HD shaved housing and spooled 35 spline High9 is an inexpensive, strong, and high clearance option.

I figured it to be about another $650-$700 to go Hi9 from a LP case. Maybe next time.

Greg

 

[BIGWOODY]

I've got $1317 into my 3rd member.
Greg

Ouch....I only spent another $400 to get the tru hi9 with a 35spline spool/two thrust blocks and the billet 1350 yoke.

I ran 31 spline stock 9" shafts for a few years with 38's until I finally finished off the detroit, both shafts and the r&p all in one move. But I didn't drive mine very hard...

 

[MontanaXJ]

Ouch....I only spent another $400 to get the tru hi9 with a 35spline spool/two thrust blocks and the billet 1350 yoke.

I ran 31 spline stock 9" shafts for a few years with 38's until I finally finished off the detroit, both shafts and the r&p all in one move. But I didn't drive mine very hard...

Yes..., but add the price of a 35 spline Detroit, which I am running, and the price of the Hi9 shipped is about $2000.

Greg

 

[xjfan1974]

Ghost -It has a stock motor, stock tranny, stock transfer case.
As far as the tire size 39.5 Pitbulls -
xj-ranger - he replace his axle shafts every year. he feels it better to replace them with shafts that have been use to wheel with.
c-rok - cute, that was real funny
I really don't care if who flame me, but seem like I always here others saying... it can't be done. I have seen what that rig can do and where it has been. I am not saying that wouldn't be a good investment use 35 spline shaft. but you can use 31 spline shafts on 38" tire.
When I first came to this broad I hear people say the biggest tire you wanted to put on dana 35 axle was 31" tires because they were a weak axles. I wheeled my 89 cherokee laredo for two years on a stock dana 35 (welded) and stock dana HP30 w/ lock right locker on 36" Super Swamper TSL and never broke a axle shaft. Not saying you can't break shafts on a 35 using that big of a tire. I just think it depend on how aggressive you are with skinny pedal on the right on how often you break axle shaft in whatever axles you have under your rig.

 

[SeanP]

Settle down, Francis.

Big difference between wheeling in KS and the rocks in the west coast and limits on 27, 29 30 and 31 spline axles are well documented. Next thing you know, someone from OH will start spouting off about One Ton junk.

 

[xjfan1974]

Settle down, Francis.

Big difference between wheeling in KS and the rocks in the west coast and limits on 27, 29 30 and 31 spline axles are well documented. Next thing you know, someone from OH will start spouting off about One Ton junk.

You're right wheeling in Ks & West Coast are different. Here in KS are wheelin is too easy for the hardcore wheelin the west coast. Whatever... Beside KS isn't only place we wheel. But hey if you ever get a chance to come to Randolph, KS ORV park I can show you just how easy it is to wheel in KS.