The bearings on one of the axles finally gave out on my 72 Ranchero, and I'm questioning whether I should just replace what's broken, rebuild the rearend completely, or replace it with the 72 9" I have sitting on the side of the house. The spare 9" I believe came out of a F100 pickup, so the mounting brackets will have to be switched, but the length should be the same as mine. The reason I'm thinking of replacing the rearend is because the Ranchero has 88,000 original miles on it, and 4,000 of that has only been put on in the last 5 or so years. I figure that's why the bearings gave, they probably dried up from not much use.
I haven't crawled under the ranchero, so I'm not certain if it's an 8" or 9", I do know it's a limited slip diff. with probably 3:25:1 gearing.
The spare 9" is a posi, with 4:11:1 gears and in descent shape. I would prefer gearing around 3:50:1, but figure I could replace those later.
I don't have a welder, or weld for that fact (will learn soon), so I will have to have the brackets switched and welded (I'm hoping Pat can line me up with a good welder in town). Is there any down side to what I'm considering? or should I just replace the axle bearings, and hope I have no other problems with the existing rear?
Doug
[color:red]VMF Exchange Board</font color=red>
[color:blue]A wise man never knows all, only fools know everything... hehe</font color=blue>
I haven't crawled under the ranchero, so I'm not certain if it's an 8" or 9", I do know it's a limited slip diff. with probably 3:25:1 gearing.
The spare 9" is a posi, with 4:11:1 gears and in descent shape. I would prefer gearing around 3:50:1, but figure I could replace those later.
I don't have a welder, or weld for that fact (will learn soon), so I will have to have the brackets switched and welded (I'm hoping Pat can line me up with a good welder in town). Is there any down side to what I'm considering? or should I just replace the axle bearings, and hope I have no other problems with the existing rear?
Doug
[color:red]VMF Exchange Board</font color=red>
[color:blue]A wise man never knows all, only fools know everything... hehe</font color=blue>