Steve83
Bronco Guru
The 9" was rated at less than 3200 lbs GVWR when Ford gave up on it. Its only advantage is being able to swap the chunk quickly in the field after it grenades.
But the 8.8" is far less-likely to grenade. It started off with ~3750GVWR, and is now (yes, it's still in-production) getting close to 4Kip GVWR in F150s as a solid axle. I'm not sure what the IRS & IFS 8.8s are rated for, but I think it's the only diff offered in the newest IRS Mustang (even the hi-po ones).
Yes, there are many upgrades for the 9" that will make it stronger than it was.
But there are at least as many upgrades for the 8.8" that can always make it stronger than the 9" can be, because it's stronger to begin with.
...and 8.8s are cheaper/easier-to-find in JYs than 9s or 8s or 7s...
But the 8.8" is far less-likely to grenade. It started off with ~3750GVWR, and is now (yes, it's still in-production) getting close to 4Kip GVWR in F150s as a solid axle. I'm not sure what the IRS & IFS 8.8s are rated for, but I think it's the only diff offered in the newest IRS Mustang (even the hi-po ones).
Yes, there are many upgrades for the 9" that will make it stronger than it was.
But there are at least as many upgrades for the 8.8" that can always make it stronger than the 9" can be, because it's stronger to begin with.
...and 8.8s are cheaper/easier-to-find in JYs than 9s or 8s or 7s...