Detroit locker, I have questions.

[maddog]

I have a ford 9" rearend with 31 spline axles and a 3,?? ratio(I will check thet).

I want to buy and install a detroit locker. I have been reading about a few different kinds of posi rearends, but I think I want a Detroit locker.

My question is, can I use my ring gear?
Is all I have to buy is the chunk that the ring gear is bolted to?

I see the whole center section gears, bearings and all, for sale but I dont need all these parts. Is that correct?

And do you have one for sale?

Thanks.

 

[donsrods]

Not sure of the interchangablility of the ring and pinion gear, but I think they fit. However, if you are going to the trouble of installing a Detroit Locker, it only makes sense to put in new gears, bearings, seals, etc. Do it once and be done with it.

Rearends are one of those items that just keep running and running, so if you do it correctly the first time you should never have to get back in there again. When we tore down the 8 inch rear we were using for my Son's T we knew we did the right thing........bearings had rust on them, seals were shot, etc. In our rush to get the car done we considered just sandblasting and painting it. Glad we didn't after we saw what was in there.

Don

 

[Bonehead]

A detriot locker is the new centersection that the ring gear bolts to. On my dana 60 there are two different DL's for a gear size change. You can find the one that fits yours from a catalog, I think 9 inch is all the same, except for spline count.
Inspect your gears for wear, pits, and chips, if they look good, use them.
Now the big question, is that what you really want.
I have a ford posi in mine, and I can feel it push me in slow speed turns. I think it is mostly the massive rear tires combined with the super light weight.
Just something to consider.

 

[rustywrench]

a locker to me is more suited for low traction situations like mud or snow. as bonehead eluded to, locking rears can cause a high powered light car to lose control in a turn. you better be pointed straight if you gas it. since you have the locker, i'd use it, but always keep in the back of your head what WILL happen if you stomp it while turning.

 

[maddog]

Thanks

Well, OK, what should I use instead of a locker?
Light car, big tires, 454 engine.
The rearend wont be narrowed.

Any suggestions?

 

[Gastrick]

All good advice from the others Maddog, I can't really add to what's already been stated. But to simply answer your question, the 9 inch Ford gearsets themselves are all interchangeable. You really should replace the carrier bearings while you have the rear disassembled though. Not probable, but if you happen to come across a nodular iron case for cheap, snatch it up. They are stronger and worth a couple of bucks. They are identifiable by the "N" cast into the housing between the ribs just above the pinion support. Here's the one out of my dad's Poncho for reference.

 

[Gastrick]

Thanks

Well, OK, what should I use instead of a locker?
Light car, big tires, 454 engine.
The rearend wont be narrowed.

Any suggestions?

I like the Traction Lock differentials, They are still a posi unit but not a ratcheting rear like the Locker.

 

[Bonehead]

Time to interject a funny story, about changing out center sections in Ford 9 in rears. I was swapping around from several rears to put together the narrowed rear end for the Bonehead truck. I had a check list of things to do at the end of the build, and one of those was to fill the rearend with greese. Funny thing was, there was no filler. Some housings have the filler on the axle, and some have a filler on the 3rd member. In my swapping around I had done away with the filler holes. Since I had a deadline the quick way was to jack it up on one side, pull the axle and add the rearend greese through the axle tube. I plan on adding a filler to the axle next summer.

 

[Gastrick]

That's a funny story Bonehead. I like to put a filler bung on the back of the center section like the one on my Anglia even if it has a filler on the third member. It makes it much easier to fill.

 

[motomech]

Time to interject a funny story, about changing out center sections in Ford 9 in rears. I was swapping around from several rears to put together the narrowed rear end for the Bonehead truck. I had a check list of things to do at the end of the build, and one of those was to fill the rearend with greese. Funny thing was, there was no filler. Some housings have the filler on the axle, and some have a filler on the 3rd member. In my swapping around I had done away with the filler holes. Since I had a deadline the quick way was to jack it up on one side, pull the axle and add the rearend greese through the axle tube. I plan on adding a filler to the axle next summer.

take it to jiffy lube and tell them to check the rear end