Changing out the rear end

[Rob_B]

I'm pretty new to all this but with a little help I may be able to manage. How hard is it to change out the orig. 3:50 to posibly 4:11? Thanks, Rob

 

[thegreatjustino]

Setting up gears is a time consuming and tedious process. The 9" is one of the best differentials to learn on though. Tech article here:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/9/065/article/Ford_9_Inch_RebuildGear_Setup.html

 

[redtail]

You can also get a whole new 3rd member from another truck with your choice of gear ratio. then you can bolt everything in and out in about 2 hours. You can go to a junkyard and find a 9inch with the correct splines for your axles, and just pull out the 'pumpkin' (3rd member) and have at it for a few bucks and a couple hours.

 

[jw0747]

you need some tools to set it up right that most shade tree mechanics don't own.

 

[markperry]

If you are running a 3.50 gear ratio and your D44 matches. You will not be able to upgrade the D44 to a 4.11, you won't be able to use your stock carrier. You will need an open carrier from a 3.92-5.13 carrier (series 4), or a thicker ring gear to fit the 3.50-3.73 (series 3) stock open carrier.

I ran into this problem recently, but I chose to go ahead and put a (series 4) Trak Loc in that matched up to the 4.09 gear in the D44. It's your choice and your money!

 

[Monster Mike]

I'm pretty new to all this but with a little help I may be able to manage. How hard is it to change out the orig. 3:50 to posibly 4:11? Thanks, Rob

i just pulled all my 4:10-4:11 gears out from my bronco and went to 5:13 arb's

I have everything you need to swap over to 4:10's

the rear will drop right in your housing, it comes with a lcoker already installed as well. (not sure which locker it is but im guessing it is a lockrite) you can use your stock 28 spline axle shafts. my axle shafts are specific to a 76-77 9" axle housing.

the front carrier also has a lockrite locker installed already but you would need to setup the gears to your housing. I also have the HD axle shafts and u-joints.

pm me if your interested

 

[Bartonatl]

I'm working on the same set-up with a change from 3.50 open to 4.11 open. The 3rd member swap is something you can probably do. I bought one already rebuilt with the 4.11 gears. Just bolt it in to place and slide your axles back in. Like was said though, now the rear gears don't match the Dana 44 gears so you can't run in 4X4. I need to change my front to 4.09 or something. This is more challenging and not sure I can do it......your skills may vary. I bet you can do the back axle though, no special tool required to swap that chuck.
Russell

 

[barronj]

I've swapped in 5 lug axles for 4 lug axles on mustang 8.8's, but I've never played with a bronco rear. Tonight, I bought a 3rd member that had 4.10's set up (allegedly, could be 3.90's though).

What are the steps to pull the axles out?

Wheels off, drums off, brakes off, then what?

 

[Bartonatl]

Once you get the back brake plate off just unbolt the retainer plate that holds the axle in. Once this plate is off, the axle should slide right out. That's how it is on my 74. The 68s may be different.

 

[Skiddy]

Once you get the back brake plate off just unbolt the retainer plate that holds the axle in. Once this plate is off, the axle should slide right out. That's how it is on my 74. The 68s may be different.

all the 9" are the same
remove wheels
back off the brake shoes no need to remove them
remove retainer plate by using a socket through the access hole
pull out the axle, may need a slide hammer or put drum back on back wards and a couple lug nuts and kind use it like a slide hammer
pulling the third member out there are copper washers that like to hang up on trying to pull it out.

 

[barronj]

Good info. Thanks.