Ford 9" Swap

So I'm looking at a narrow 9" on Craigslist not too far from me in SoCal. 43" spring perch centers, 57.5" WMS to WMS. He doesn't know the ratio but says it seems like about a 2.5:1 and it's an open carrier. Asking price is $580. I'm thinking I'd regear the stock 3rd member to 3.50:1 with a Detroit Truetrac and possibly 31 spline Moser axles. I'd media blast the entire assembly and maybe powdercoat the outside. Possibly install a drain plug? I'm gonna be in it for close to $1200 it would seem.

Any thoughts? It's gonna be behind a 200-4R I'm hoping to build soon as well. Car isn't an axle snapping beast. More like a 350hp daily driver that I'd like to run at the track (1/4 mile) every now and then just for kicks. With 235/60R15s in the rear and the .67 overdrive and lockup TC, I'll be turning around 2100 RPM at 70mph. Full throttle 1-2 shift at 5000 RPM should be at 40mph.

How does that sound for a driver seeing occasional track time? Cam is a performer grind with plenty of low end and not much past 5000 RPM. I'm considering shooting for about a 2000-2200 RPM stall. Daily driveable but still good going fast in a straight line?

I thought about that too. It's a great idea. I did an Explorer 8.8 for a buddy's XJ a few years ago.

I also read about a guy welding 9" tube ends on an 8.8 for some bulletproof bolt on axle shafts. Seemed like a neat custom project.

Either way, I'll need to make an alignment bar to get everything welded up straight. I have axle fixtures somewhere that mount in place of the rollers on my adjustable height roller stands.

You're probably onto something as far as a good cheap solution goes. If I can be less than $500 into an axle upgrade and around a 3.5 R&P ratio, I'm in business. It's gonna cost me around $750-1000 all said and done for the transmission build and swap. I already have a desirable 200-4R. My B&M shifter can do 3 or 4 speed. I'll just need hard parts, TV cable, shift kit, torque converter, lockup kit and some hardware to fab up a crossmember. Driveshaft and tranny yoke should be good.

Just imagine if I got it all buttoned up tight, upgraded tires, and with just the right suspension setup/stance had a 47 year old daily driver that would go over 150mph on the highway. Glad I upgraded to front disc brakes at least...

I think I just need to get out to the Pick and Pull.

i got my Mustang axle from a place in San Pedro (LA area), called FORD ONLY or something. straightforward place, no bull. lots of axles on hand. there were cheaper places but i got tired of wrong info, errors of whats in stock, etc. they even cleaned the worst of the gunk off it for me without asking.