Ford 9" questions

[philofab]

Do people make two different length axle tubes to center the pinion with the output shaft when building from scratch or is the 2 or so inch offset ok?

The pinion does not need to be perfectly centered to the trans. Any offset will create equal angles on the ujoints. You can center it if you like but I normally offset to one side about 2" so I have equal length axles. Less headache and spares needed this way.

[shockseals.com]

Do people make two different length axle tubes to center the pinion with the output shaft when building from scratch or is the 2 or so inch offset ok?

The pinion does not need to be perfectly centered to the trans. Any offset will create equal angles on the ujoints. You can center it if you like but I normally offset to one side about 2" so I have equal length axles. Less headache and spares needed this way.

Its currently et up for = length axles which I like. I have just never noticed the pinion offset on vehicles nor have I have noticed a housing being offset to one side in a vehicle.

Thanks!

[baja-chris]

Centering it WRT the frame will consume some valuable u-joint angle and thus further limit wheel travel. I'd keep it aligned with the gear box output so the only u-joint angle is that needed to go up and down.

[johncharlesb]

Here is some tech on compound angles. It can be done, but as mentioned, it can eat up u-joint angle and can cause vibrations.

Page 9 and 11 for compound angles and all the u-joint angle tech you could want:
http://www2.dana.com/pdf/J3311-1-DSSP.pdf

The Dana/Spicer tech site the pdf came from:
http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/demenu.aspx

[philofab]

Pinion offset is the same in 8.8 and 9" rear ends. All 8.8 and 9" Bronco factory rear ends have equal length axles. All have no driveline issues from the factory or when setup correctly with a 3-4" lift.

As with most vehicles the engine is offset to the passenger side for steering shaft and footwell room. So is the pinion on a standard third member.

[shockseals.com]

Pinion offset is the same in 8.8 and 9" rear ends. All 8.8 and 9" Bronco factory rear ends have equal length axles. All have no driveline issues from the factory or when setup correctly with a 3-4" lift.

As with most vehicles the engine is offset to the passenger side for steering shaft and footwell room. So is the pinion on a standard third member.

First reply was good enough...this is better than enough!