Rear End and Changing Differential Cover

[Glredmanii]

What rear end is this? And, is it common for the differential cover to be welded on? I don’t think it looks as good as the aftermarket covers. Is it a bad idea to replace it? And, which brand is recommended?

Also, my rear shocks touch my breaks. I think I just need to replace and move the shock/axle brackets inward.

 

[AZ73]

If you're talking about the back, it's a Ford 9". There is no removable differential cover. It's 1 piece with the axle tubes.. The gears pull out the front.

 

[Glredmanii]

Is there an aftermarket cover that could be welded on? And, is this a good rear end? It doesn’t look as good as some that I’ve seen.

 

[Master Chief]

As AZ73 mentioned, the 9" housing does not have a rear cover, therefore no, there is no cover available to weld onto the housing.

Yes, it is a great rear end. Macs Motor City Garage wrote, "The ring gear is a generous 9.0 inches in diameter, which allows the axle to withstand extreme torque loads and lent the rear axle its familiar name. Ford also manufactured axles of this design with 8.0-inch and 9.38-inch ring gears for various applications, and at one time or another, the axle family has been used in virtually every U.S. car and light truck platform produced by the company between 1957 and 1986." LINK

Here is an in depth article regarding the 9" http://seacristmotorsports.com/Ford 9in Axle Tech.pdf

 

[broncosam]

I think what he's talking about as far as welding is the bead of RTV sealant around the 3rd member. It does look a bit like a weld bead.

 

[FordBronc]

Yes that is a 9" rear axle and no there is no back cover to take off and replace with something different. Do not like the looks, then paint it or put a skid plate on the bottom and drive it. Mine looks great on the trail.

And does the inner shock tube/rod touch your disk brake caliper or just the boot?

 

[bmc69]

Is there an aftermarket cover that could be welded on? And, is this a good rear end? It doesn’t look as good as some that I’ve seen.

? It's the only rear dif Ford ever used in the 66-77 Broncos.... And yes, the Ford 9" dif is one of the most highly regarded of all time, in its size range. That's why they have always been so popular with the drag racers.

 

[NicksTrix]

need to move the lower shock mounts on the housing to clear the disc calipers. it wasn't designed with discs back in the day that is why the shocks interfere.

 

[AZ73]

need to move the lower shock mounts on the housing to clear the disc calipers. it wasn't designed with discs back in the day that is why the shocks interfere.

Or alternative (that came with my rear disc set) is to use a longer bottom bolt and mount the shocks to the outside of the mount towards the center.

 

[SteveL]

Or alternative (that came with my rear disk set) is to use a longer bottom bolt and mount the shocks to the outside of the mount towards the center.

Bc broncos sells the kit to do this. Just moves the lower mounting point. Also if you want to save yourself future headaches swap out those caliper mounts for bc's. Bc mounts put the bleeder screws in the proper position. With the others it's a pita to get the rear calipers bled

 

[samamarshall]

Anyone concerned the axle flange is missing two bolts in that caliper bracket? Is that normal for aftermarket disk conversion kits? Axle retainer plate only held with two screws?