Description
Ford 9 inch Rear Ends
Due to its tremendous strength and large aftermarket support, the Ford 9 inch Rear Ends can be found in every manner of custom hot rod, muscle car, truck, and drag car. A 9 inch Rear Axle was standard equipment in a lot of Ford cars and light trucks built between 1957 through 1986. In this very long production run, two different axle bearings sizes and three different housing end styles were used.
Evolution of Ford Housing Ends
Late Big Ford Housing Ends are the most commonly used housing ends in the aftermarket industry. Ford had an evolution of housing ends. Ford’s lighter passenger cars utilized 28-spline axles and small axle bearing housing ends. Higher performing Mustang models such as; the Boss 302, 429, and 427 came with 31 spline axles. The use of small bearing housing ends remained in use until 1979.
In more substantial cars like the 1959 Galaxie utilized Early big bearing housing ends. (H1135) These were used until the creation of the Gran Torino in 1973, which introduced the late model big bearing (Torino) housing end. (H1137) Torino Late Big Ford Housing Ends remained in Ford’s product line until the end of the 9 inch rear end used in 1986. The big bearings housing ends used either 28 or 31-spline axles. While the early and late big Ford housing ends used different backing plates and axle retainer bolt patterns, the axle bearings used are the same.
Housing End Size Determination.
To determine the axle bearing size of a Ford 9 inch rear end without having to remove the axles is to measure the bolt pattern spacing of the housing end. Remove the brake drum or rotors, measure the distance between the bolt hole centers. The Late Big Ford Housing End Bolt pattern will be 2in Tall and 3.556in Wide.
