So, circling back to the (one kind vs the other kind while pointing out 9" flaws) discussion.. I've had an ARB in a Currie branded 9" Daytona case for 20-something years, in a Currie very beefy housing (my description) that they haven't made for ages. Explorer brakes. 31 spline axles. Blah blah. If my ARB grenaded tomorrow (unlikely, given how I drive, but still..) I would rather replace the entire axle than give up on the ARB. I don't use the capability often but when I do I'm sure glad it's there. No way will I ever run anything but a selectable locker.
So, someone with knowledge (I'm thinking you
@jamesroney) please describe, ignoring cost, a replacement not- 9" rear axle, gotta be 5 on 5.5" ARB compatible rear axle. Dana 60, Sterling, what ever.
It's slightly more complicated than
@nvrstuk said. So I'll start with a question.
5 lug or 8 lug. This is a really important question that I wish I had answered 20 years ago. But my answer came back 5 lug, which has resulted in significant expense. But I always wanted to be able to share/swap spare tires on the trail. Turns out that doesn't happen as often as it used to.
If the answer is 8 lug, then the answer is the 14 bolt.
If the answer is 5 lug, then more questions. Whose brakes are you going to run? If that answer is Explorer or Wilwood - disc with shoe parking brake, and you are running semi float 35 spline axles...then the Sterling or Dana starts to look better. The last question is driveshaft length/angle. If you are in an EB with a long drive train, then a high pinion starts to come into play. Finally, there is ground clearance.
The Set-20 bearings use 1.562 journals, and accommodate Big Bearing 9 inch brakes. The GM corporate 14 bolt uses 1-9/16 x 30 spline axles. 1.562 is awfully close to 1-9/16. So I don't think they make 14 bolt semi float shafts in SET-20. You kinda want to stay at 1.5 inch x 35 spline. Which defeats a small part of why the 14 bolt is the winner.
If I ignore cost, then I wouldn't know how to answer. I don't know how to do that. Cost is always a factor. But if I could have anything I want...(and I suppose I can...) I always end up with a 35 spline, semi float, 5 lug dana 60 with an ARB. When I'm feeling spendy, I use the Dynatrac pro-rock 60 housing. It's basically a shaved 60 housing with the ground clearance of a 44. But usually I try to find a junkyard 60 from an Econoline 250 Van on 1/2 price day at the pick-n-pull. Then I weld on Billet Torino ends, and throw on some Explorer brakes. Still have to source axles, but that's never not true.
But in your case, I'd just bump up the air pressure on the 9 inch ARB compressor and run it for another 20 years.
