[chevelle327]

i know this subject is pretty worn out since i have gone throguh most the forums and still cant find the answer even though it has been asked many time. Well a friend has a 9" sittin in his garage and he just wants to get rid of it for free, so i have been looking around and have seen that not all 9"s can be shortened. T or F? Also when i go look at it and find out that i can, does anyone have a DETAILED description on how to do it?? It seems that this rear end is popular and people shorten them, but has anyone written a step by step directions on how to do it, or any sites?i have looked all over and still ahve no clue. i dont even know were to start.

[T56SS]

There is not that much to it if you have the skills to do it! You measure & remeasure then you check your measurements again before you cut the end flanges off of the tubes ... make damn sure the cuts are straight. There are end housings to be had aftermarket & you will also have to get new axles made for it too ... the only trick that you might be able to get away with is this: not all the axles were the same length and most were not the same length in the same rear end so if you can look thru a stack of axles & find the same spline & diameter shaft then you might be able to "cheat a little" and just buy new bearings - also if you are good you can reuse the ends...

[TurboS10]

Any rearend can be narrowed. First, you will need a kit bought or made for centering everyhthing back up when you put it all back together. This consist of bushings to replace the bearings and a steal rod to slide through the bearings to hold the ends centered when you reweld them.

Once you get this you can start. First disassemble and cut the tube ends off. Then remove the material needed to get the desired width. Make sure you allow for the flange depth of the axles. I think it is 2 3/8 inch for Mosier, but you will need to check before you cut. Keep in mind that the pinion on a 9 inch is not centered. I believe Mark Williams sells a plate as well as others that you can use to measure for this to insure the pinion is centered when you reweld. After you get it all cut down, do any desired bracing. It is desirable to add a rear brace to 9 inch ford for strenght, but not necissary unless you are really making some power. This is very important because any bracing will warp the rearend guaranteed. This is okay as long and the tube ends are not yet installed. Then install the bearing bushings you had made or bought in the axle tube ends and the center section. Slide the steel rod throught the bushings so it will hold everything in place. (This should be about a +.005 slide fit) Now you are ready to reweld the tube ends. Get them nice and square and weld them up. I would bevel the tube and tube end about 1/8 inch so you have a nice deep penetrating weld.

Now call Mosier or your choice of axle supplier and get the nex axles on the way. Dont even think of resplining the old ones. It is trouble waiting to happen.

Chris