WTB" 12 bolt or 9" rear end

[matlt1]

I'd also recommend the Ford 9" for high power applications. The ring gear is a larger diameter, the pinion gear has a 3rd bearing support that is not on the 12-bolt, the pinion gear center line is lower with respect to the ring gear which typically helps with strength and gear noise, and like people have already said the torque loads are absorbed by the housing and not the carrier (3rd memeber, pig, etc). This added distortion the 12-bolt sees by the torque being loaded on the carrier can lead to premature failure. I know the Ford 9" typically costs a little bit more, but if you have a manual transmission I can almost guarentee you will be paying that difference in rebuilds on your 12-bolt.

[Phantom409]

9" all the way

[prorac1]

Just my .02, but dont forget about the dana 60. Its tough as nails and you dont have the expense of a third member. And they dont take much more power to turn than a 9 inch. JMHO, Eric L

[MP81]

They weigh a ton more though. But it is a viable alternative.

[prorac1]

They did a comparison in HOTROD a couple of years ago and theyre was a weight differance, but hp wise was only 10 hp between a 10 bolt 12 bolt, 9 inch and 60. I have a dana in my Plymouth making 800 crank hp and its holding up very well.
Eric L

[MunsterZ28]

but where would ou get a dana 60 to bolt up to a 4th gen? would it take alot of fab work to get it to work? how much are you saving buying a dana 60?

[DETROITMUSCLE]

They make an S60 which is made to fit an f body, but why reinvent the wheel go 9" and never look back IMO

[prorac1]

Because for the same price housing wise you dont need to buy a trick center section. You just use moser axels, a strange spool (if your going with et streets or other soft sidewall tire) or some kind of posi, and a richmond gear. Im running a stock dana 60 housing out of a dump truck with stock (non girdled) rear end cover moser axels and strange spool behind 800 hp. IMHO the dana is a simpler set up. People buy the 9 inch and say "well I can swap centersections to swap to street gears and vice versa" That is till they do it a couple of times and realize its a pain in the butt. I know guys running low 7s on the same configuration dana im running. I also know a guy here in GR that broke a nodular center section 9" with a low 12 sec LT1. Theyres good and bad for all of them, its all preferance. The 9" has a large aftermarket following, but at the same time, the dana dosent need a lot of aftermarket parts to be wicked strong. Not starting a flame war here, just stating my opinion. I hate it when people buy a 9 inch just for the sake of saying I have a 9". Street rodders have been doing that for years. A lot of 4th gens have 9 inchers cause for a long time that was the only option you had other than a 12 bolt. Hope this info helps, Eric L