It seems that you only have to peruse the hotrod world for a few minutes before you are slapped in the face with the ever-present Ford 9" differential. Mind you, I have no problem with that, but even then the choices seem mind boggling. I'm playing with an `81 V-8 Malibu and would like to upgrade my rear end to the magical Ford 9" now instead of waiting for my stock 10" setup to explode.
In looking into that swap there seems to be two options; (1) Invest in an aftermarket brand housing, axles and chunk that has already been modified to hook up to the Malibu's suspension [Quite pricey}.
(2) Find a junkyard rear end and have all the brackets and mounts changed, and possibly even have to adjust the width of the unit [Welding intensive].
So my question is simply, "What do most folks end up going with to have a Ford 9" under their G-bodies?". My welding talents are unacceptable so even if I found a great deal on a junkyard piece to rework I am at someone else's mercy for that work. Is that my answer right there? Without the skills to upgrade a used piece do I need to just bite the bullet and accept what the huge expense that buying a full "ready to install" kit would do to my toy budget?
Or is there another suggested path to differential reliability that I am completely overlooking?
Thanks! I look forward to any education you can provide me on this matter.
In looking into that swap there seems to be two options; (1) Invest in an aftermarket brand housing, axles and chunk that has already been modified to hook up to the Malibu's suspension [Quite pricey}.
(2) Find a junkyard rear end and have all the brackets and mounts changed, and possibly even have to adjust the width of the unit [Welding intensive].
So my question is simply, "What do most folks end up going with to have a Ford 9" under their G-bodies?". My welding talents are unacceptable so even if I found a great deal on a junkyard piece to rework I am at someone else's mercy for that work. Is that my answer right there? Without the skills to upgrade a used piece do I need to just bite the bullet and accept what the huge expense that buying a full "ready to install" kit would do to my toy budget?
Or is there another suggested path to differential reliability that I am completely overlooking?
Thanks! I look forward to any education you can provide me on this matter.
