35 spline axle shafts for 9 inch, cost difference?

[Dachy]

I am finishing up my full-width swap (d44 and ford 9). I have no brakes for the rear axle so instead of buying drums I am just going to install discs. To do that I need to buy different axle shafts than the ones that I have. I figured, why not upgrade to 35 spline shafts instead of the 31 spline. At this point, I don't have a third member that I have any money into (I haven't purchased gears or anything like that yet for the front or rear, just the stock 3.50s)

So my question is, if I buy 35 spline axles for the rear, what would be the cost difference compared to sticking with 31 splines? I would guess a detroit for 35 spline shafts would cost more, maybe even gears etc. But my main concern is, would I need to change anything else when going to 35 spline shafts?

 

[SaddleUp]

The cost difference is going to be around 300 to 400 dollars. The Detroit Locker will be very close to the same cost but it may need to be special ordered. (Mine did) The axles need to be custom built so there will probably be $50 or so extra there. Mine were $200 each from Dutchman Motorsports. The largest difference in price though is for a new third member housing for the 3.250 bearings. There isn't a stock option for this since they never had a stock 3.250 bearing. The Strange housing costs about $200. If you figure you would get an installation kit anyway then the cost is the same there. The only other thing you will want to consider is a new Daytona pinion support. A stock support will work but they don't fit quite right so most of us spend the extra $80 or so for another one.

 

[Dachy]

looks like it's worth it. i'll just run a spool for awhile because i'm not going to be driving it on the streets too much.

Thing is, if the d44 doesn't hold up, i'll go to a d60 up front and I don't want to have to change the rear axle to match after already investing money in it.

 

[Mark]

Cost difference is minimal, or the same.

The axles are the same $$

http://completeoffroad.com/wsm/i-1193_custom_axles_ford_9_inch_31_or_35_spline_moser.html

the Detroit is the same, and a Currie Nodular case is the same (3.25 for the 35's), The Strange Nodular is $60 more than the Currie Nodular.

http://completeoffroad.com/wsm/c-4_ford_9.html

 

[SaddleUp]

If you use a stock third member housing though with 31 spline axles then that eliminates the expense of that which is where I figured the main difference. For someone that plans to replace the housing anyway then the cost is going to be about the same.

 

[Bronchole]

Ok, I'll listen to what you are saying and reply straight to your question.

31 vs. 35 axle build.

You MUST have a big bearing housing in order to use 35 spline axles.

31 spline axles from COR = $206 LINK
35 spline axles from COR = $319 LINK
+$115 for 35's

Nodular case from Summit racing for 31 spline $229.95 LINK
Nodular case from summit racing for 35 spline $229.95 LINK
SAME

Pinion support, up to you, I run stock. Either way this is not a required upgrade to 35 so it doesn't belong on this list.

Yoke, same thing like the pinion support.

From the look of this LINK I am going to assume that the bearings are going to be the same price. (this link is for a daytona pinion support)

Spoll is definaty the least $ way to go, the detroit locker is the same $469 either way:
spool for 31 spline from COR $99 LINK
spool for 35 spline from COR $159 LINK
+$60 for 35's

So basically if you are using a stock yoke, gears, and pinion support you have on hand your cost should be something like:

31 spline spooled $625
35 spline spooled $798 ($173 more)

31 splineupgrade to Detroit locker +$370 ($995 total)
35 splineupgrade to Detroit locker +$310 ($1108 total)($60 less because 35 spool costs more)

Now that we have done all of your research for you its time to start buttering up to the wife!

Dan

 

[welndmn]

Yoke, same thing like the pinion support.

I agree, but on the yoke, don't put a 1310 on it (stock) spend some $ and put a 1350 or 1410 on it.

If your building a 9 inch, 35 spline is not that much more $.
BUT if you have parts, a set of alloy 31 spline axles will last a long time.

 

[Mark]

Bronchole,
your link for the 31 spline axles for $209 is for stock width axles.
He's going full width, therefore it's the $319 for either 31 or 35 spline axles.
That wipes out any difference in $$.

 

[Amac70]

you can also get a 35 spline spool that will fit with the smaller bearings. from dutchmans sites.

Special 9" Ford 35 spline to fit a standard case (Generic) $225

http://www.dutchmanms.com/pricesheet.html

 

[Dachy]

this is just a damn tough decision!

i don't think at this point i'll be going to 35 spline axles. i was going to do it because to install discs on the rear i need new shafts, so why not upgrade, but then that involves upgrading everything else. i also need to change gears front and rear.

my thinking was, if i'm going to put gears and a locker in the front, why not put something in that's not going to break and get a d60 too.

for now i think i'll just get some junkyard drums for the rear, stick with 31 splines, and change my gears to 4.88's with detroits as planned front and back. i don't think i'll have too many problems with breakage with 36" super swampers. at the total cost of my grand plan, i don't think i have much of a choice anyway.

 

[Bronchole]

Bronchole,
your link for the 31 spline axles for $209 is for stock width axles.
He's going full width, therefore it's the $319 for either 31 or 35 spline axles.
That wipes out any difference in $$.

DOOT!!! Missed that!

 

[Bronchole]

this is just a damn tough decision!

i don't think at this point i'll be going to 35 spline axles. i was going to do it because to install discs on the rear i need new shafts, so why not upgrade, but then that involves upgrading everything else. i also need to change gears front and rear.

my thinking was, if i'm going to put gears and a locker in the front, why not put something in that's not going to break and get a d60 too.

for now i think i'll just get some junkyard drums for the rear, stick with 31 splines, and change my gears to 4.88's with detroits as planned front and back. i don't think i'll have too many problems with breakage with 36" super swampers. at the total cost of my grand plan, i don't think i have much of a choice anyway.

Ahh young padawan, wisdom pours from your keyboard, many a wheeler has gone the path of the 31 spline and lived many satisfying seasons, but remember, once you choose a path (31 or 35) it will forever dominate your financial decisions. In other words it will be too dam expensive to convert over to 35 later on.

Personally, I run 31 spline and have very high confidence in their durability. Be warned though, if you do not convert over to a nodular case, the case will be the next thing to break and it will take out the ring and pinion and maybe even an axle when it does go. $230 spent on the case is a wise investment!

Dan

 

[SaddleUp]

I would have to agree on both points. Somewhere here there is a poll I did asking what axles people here had broken and I think there were only a couple of broken 31 spline alloy axles listed. (Don't recall exact numbers but it was apparent that 31 spline alloy axles held up very well) Same for the stock housing. I've seen them where the entire carrier bearing pad busted loose from the case. When it did it took out the gears and carrier. I've also seen them where the carrier bearing retainer itself broke in half. Even more interesting is that the first was running stock 31 spline axles and the second was running 28 spline alloy axles.

Found it, Here is the link to the poll:
http://www.classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76987

 

[Dachy]

yeah I think i'll be alright with the 31 splines. i'd rather put that money into the atlas+aod. doubt i go bigger than the 36" tires.. maybe 38's but time will tell and with time comes $$$. thanks everybody!

 

[gddyap]

If you go D60 in the future, it's easy enough to change it from 8 lug to 5 lug instead of swapping out your 9". Then you can also keep your wheels.