Anyone happen to know if they are swappable? I have the wrong gears in our bird but have some in a ranchero that are correct ratio.

The Ford nine inch came with two different axle spline count. Your 57 has 28 splines. There are 28 and 31 spline axles so pull an axle on the Ranchero and count the splines. Pete

Crab:

Make sure the '69 Ranchero has a 9" and not an 8".  They won't interchange.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Looks like a 9 inch, but perhaps they look the same.

Crab:

They look a lot alike.  Easiest way to tell is to see if you can get a socket on the bottom two nuts holding the third member in.  If a socket fits, it's 8".  If you have to use a box end wrench, it's a 9".

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I've been watching this post and was just wondering, how many "pumpkins" are there out there? I always thought a 9 inch was a nine inch but this is getting interesting. I bought a carrier that was out of a mid to late 70's Lincoln and someone told me it may be bigger than a 9 inch carrier. how many do you know of?

Bud Roberts

Winslow AZ

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird

Bud,

     There was also a 9 3/8" Nobody uses them, don't think you can get parts. The original '57 rear end looks like a 9 inch, but it's actually a smaller, 8 1/2 " I believe. You can replace the entire pig in a '57 with a later 9". There a variety of housing styles and several versions of the 9" with bigger and/or smaller carrier bearings, and pinion bearing sizes. They can also be equiped for 28, 31, or 35 spline axles with increasingly larger axle diameters. Then of course there's the Detroit lockers, Ford Traction Locks and a bunch of aftermarket traction control units. Confused yet?

     The Eight inch has several versions as well, and although you're limited on aftermarket parts for it, it's not a bad choice for  a milder engine. They'll stand 300 hp for a long, long time on the street.    

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

  Thanks for the information on the Ford 9 inch,I am assuming when you say "pig", you are talking about the complete carrier assembly? I'm tossing around the idea of replacing my rearend in my 55 Bird with a 9 inch set-up. That U-joint and yoke on the rearend looks awful tender on the factory set-up. What is the most common swap for 55-57 Birds. I'm running a souped up 292 with a 2.78 toploader and 215-70R-15 BFG's on Cragar s/s wheels and a 11inch diaphram type clutch but am really afraid to pop the clutch for fear of that weak lookin' u-joint may not survive it.

Also want to say how nice it is to have a site with so much information and knowledgable people just a few keystrokes away. Thanks for all your info.

Bud in Arizona

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird

Bud,

     I can't really tell you which Nine inch would bolt into your 'Bird. If it's a 57 you already have a case (housing) that will accept any later 28 spline Pig. And, yes that's my euphimism for the carrier. You can also have one build or buy parts and do it yourself. The usual place to look is a Mid 70's or 60's pickup, Galaxie or Big block Mustang. Perogie Enterprises has some on ebaty or hit our classified section and see if somebody has one to sell. Moser, Currie, Strange, all sell aftermarket parts, Richmond will sell you about whatever gear ratio you'll want/.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

So my 28 spline carrier from the ranchero should fit right in without issues?