I broke an axle at the track last summer only to replace it with DSS 1400 HP axles and then I cracked my Getrag case.

I just ordered the 9" Ford Universal kit from DSS. I have the car stripped and ready to start the Fabrication. This will also use the aluminum one piece drive shaft. (the carrier bearing was also bad) I will keep you you updated as I move along. 70

Sorry to hear that larry. That shows how week these are. Take plenty of pics and post them. I had to pull the shifter because of the ball and socket. allso it started having a lot of play in the dogbone. But the mod is still as tight as it was on install.

Very kewl. I'm surprised more racers aren't making the conversion to the Ford 9" or the Dana. The kewl thing about the Ford 9" is that you can pretty easily pop in a different center pumpkin with higher gears for those times you want to run around on the street and on race day pop in some low 4.56's. :thumbsup:

Post up pictures of the install. I'd love to see how it fits and the results at the track.

Here is the first step in the fabricationprocess cutting out the front section of the rear cradle.

http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0364.jpg

This pic shows it's pretty much ready for the 1/4" plate to be welded in.

http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0366.jpg

And here is the IRS 9" pumpkin.

http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0363.jpg

We run the DSS Ford 9' in Linda's car, works prefectly, the ability to change to different ratio's is a plus besides being stronger, we run a 3.25 detroit locker set up.
Tout

Why use an IRS? I would just tub it with a 9", 4-link, a fuel cell and stop playing games.

We run the DSS Ford 9' in Linda's car, works prefectly, the ability to change to different ratio's is a plus besides being stronger, we run a 3.25 detroit locker set up.
Tout

I thought about using a detroit locker but this is a street car first and I don't have that much H.P. so I am going the true track route.

Why use an IRS? I would just tub it with a 9", 4-link, a fuel cell and stop playing games.

It's not a dedicated drag car. Going with an IRS set up gives me the best of both worlds. Strong yet forgiving in the turns.

Why use an IRS? I would just tub it with a 9", 4-link, a fuel cell and stop playing games.

Why not, we have cars now in the mid to low 9's running IRS rears, all automatics though.
Tout

good to see your project getting started Larry and looking forward to your progress reports

Why use an IRS? I would just tub it with a 9", 4-link, a fuel cell and stop playing games.




The car would ride like a big POS skate board. The ford 9" or the 8.8 conversion kits are not a cheap mod by any means. Going to a solid rear would cost even more.

Like Tout said. There are cars going low 9's and I even think an 8 or two
using IRS,''Just my o.2

Very nice! Make sure and keep the pics coming!

The mounting plate is being fabbed at a local sheet metal shop. I should have it back sometime next week. Once I have the plate I can move fwd on locating the pumpkin.

I don't understand how some of you guys think. This is a street car with a weak axle assembly. To turn it into a fixed axle drag car would take a lot of reinforcing of the unibody if not a complete roll cage. Then to add tubs to it to boot? No thank you. Do you realize the cost involved doing all of the fabrication? I looked at all the options. This set up can handle well over 1,000 HP. I am at best 500 HP, I just don't want to break anymore when I have some fun at the track. The 9" allows me to change gears if I want too. It also is a pretty straight fwd mod for me to fab in my own shop. The only trade off is some extra weight. I will gladly add some weight if I don't have to worry about breakages. This will be a great mod with a set of 4.56 gears. Doing the work myself with the help from Frank at DSS I have complete confidence this set up will withstand anything I throw at it. A fixed axle is just not required it would hurt the street performance and would cost double if not more than this mod. Just my .02...70

I don't understand how some of you guys think. This is a street car with a weak axle assembly. To turn it into a fixed axle drag car would take a lot of reinforcing of the unibody if not a complete roll cage. Then to add tubs to it to boot? No thank you. Do you realize the cost involved doing all of the fabrication? I looked at all the options. This set up can handle well over 1,000 HP. I am at best 500 HP, I just don't want to break anymore when I have some fun at the track. The 9" allows me to change gears if I want too. It also is a pretty straight fwd mod for me to fab in my own shop. The only trade off is some extra weight. I will gladly add some weight if I don't have to worry about breakages. This will be a great mod with a set of 4.56 gears. Doing the work myself with the help from Frank at DSS I have complete confidence this set up will withstand anything I throw at it. A fixed axle is just not required it would hurt the street performance and would cost double if not more than this mod. Just my .02...70

Well said.

I don't understand how some of you guys think. This is a street car with a weak axle assembly. To turn it into a fixed axle drag car would take a lot of reinforcing of the unibody if not a complete roll cage. Then to add tubs to it to boot? No thank you. Do you realize the cost involved doing all of the fabrication? I looked at all the options. This set up can handle well over 1,000 HP. I am at best 500 HP, I just don't want to break anymore when I have some fun at the track. The 9" allows me to change gears if I want too. It also is a pretty straight fwd mod for me to fab in my own shop. The only trade off is some extra weight. I will gladly add some weight if I don't have to worry about breakages. This will be a great mod with a set of 4.56 gears. Doing the work myself with the help from Frank at DSS I have complete confidence this set up will withstand anything I throw at it. A fixed axle is just not required it would hurt the street performance and would cost double if not more than this mod. Just my .02...70

Well said.


What?? It's all easy from behind a key board..lol Well said I couldnt agree more..

OK I just picked up the reinforcing plate from the shop. Nice piece... I roughed in the plate with the plasma cutter and tacked it into place. Once i get the axles and 3rd member I will mock it all up and find out where I need to locate the 2 rear mounts. 70


http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0389.jpg

Mr. Norms does a solid axle swap all day with a dana 60 and makes it looks stock.http://mrnormsgarage.com/assets/galleries/65/mr_-norm_s-legends-rear-suspension.jpg

See thats what I mean. If you notice they cut the trunk pan and add frame rails on left and right side along with a cross member frame. Lots of fabricating. and totally losses the cornering performance. Keeping the IRS, the set up I m doing is limited to the strength of the posi unit. 70...

I don't understand how some of you guys think. This is a street car with a weak axle assembly. To turn it into a fixed axle drag car would take a lot of reinforcing of the unibody if not a complete roll cage. Then to add tubs to it to boot? No thank you. Do you realize the cost involved doing all of the fabrication? I looked at all the options. This set up can handle well over 1,000 HP. I am at best 500 HP, I just don't want to break anymore when I have some fun at the track. The 9" allows me to change gears if I want too. It also is a pretty straight fwd mod for me to fab in my own shop. The only trade off is some extra weight. I will gladly add some weight if I don't have to worry about breakages. This will be a great mod with a set of 4.56 gears. Doing the work myself with the help from Frank at DSS I have complete confidence this set up will withstand anything I throw at it. A fixed axle is just not required it would hurt the street performance and would cost double if not more than this mod. Just my .02...70

Listen, fixed axles are fine......You just have to tailor the suspension with a 4-link / Watts setup. Road cars were using this setup for decades (What the does NASCAR use?.....basically a truck suspension)

Mr. Norms does a solid axle swap all day with a dana 60 and makes it looks stock.http://mrnormsgarage.com/assets/galleries/65/mr_-norm_s-legends-rear-suspension.jpg

Listen, fixed axles are fine......You just have to tailor the suspension with a 4-link / Watts setup. Road cars were using this setup for decades (What the does NASCAR use?.....basically a truck suspension)


Look, If anyone wants to do a fixed axle in thier car ...awesome have at it. This is my mod and keeping the IRS is what is best for me. Comparing a street car to nascar where all they do is left turns? Come on not even in the same league. You cannot compare a race car to a street car. Yes there are cars that do handle well with a fixed axle. But just because you have a fixed axle doesnt mean it's the best thing since sliced bread.

I posted this thread to let some folks if interested follow an IRS mod. Not talk about fixed axles. If you want to do a fixed axle mod go for it start a thread on it I would love to see the progression. But on my thread please let this be about an IRS 9" Ford mod. Thanx in advance... 70....

70, cool to see you posting on this mod. I agree with you on the fixed or solid axle. I'm sure I will need to do this mod in the near future as things start breaking on my car.

Larry looking forward to how this modification goes as your pushing the envelope from your own garage and keeping it on a budget. As asked by the OP please stay on topic! Thanks for your consideration.

Thanks Jeff, I pick up my drop out on Friday. Sending my axles to DSS this week to get the shorter bars. 70..

Larry, how is the Ford cross-breeding project coming along?

Seems most lost interest when you wouldn't do it their way. You're such an unreasonable guy.

I received the gears just waiting for the axles to be shortened from The Drive Shaft Shop. 70

I thought I was a reasonable guy..... lol

Very nice mod!! I wish I could the same.

Very cool mod, subscribing to see the progress and outcome.

After Speaking with DSS I decided to finish the fabrication then order my axles to size. Here are the pics. Please don't look to hard at my welds it was a challenge to weld a thick plate to thinner metal. As you can see the mounting holes are not centered. This was due to my guessing what angles I needed and where to mount on the diff. DSS has a kit with all this made up. What I am doing is the fabricator special. I was reverse engineering the DSS set up. It is also mounted lower due to the Hop Not kit I have installed. The top weld was tricky I couldn't get my welding tip at a very decent angle. 70...

http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0431.jpg

http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0430.jpg

http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0435.jpg

Looking good man.

I finished the install. I need to get the axles and drive shaft then I will be ready to go. 70...

http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0436.jpg



http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0437.jpg


http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/DSCF0438.jpg

Looks like a sweet install......

Larry looking good can't wait to here about your results...

Thanx.... I am excited to see the difference.

Great set up. Can't wait for you to get the axles as well so we can see the results. :thumbsup:

Well, I thought I would give you my impressions of this axle swap. As far as the difficulty? Not to bad of course you really need to know how to weld and having a plasma cutter was huge plus. I went big as far as a Nodular case big bearings and true-track posi. The 4.56 gear is pretty crazy. If you blink an eye you just hit the rev limiter. Tire spin on the street is next to nil. I am consistently in the 4.50's 0-60 ( I have done better but have not backed it up)with no bog with little spin I do have. I am still learning how to launch esp or no esp etc etc. For some reason I do have some gear howl a bit to much in my opinion but tolerable. I do love how tight the drive line is. No slop what so ever. Over all I am very happy to have that aluminum paper weight out of my car and have a real chunk of tough iron in it's place. 70...

http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/70challengerrt440/IMG_20120322_173533.jpg

Larry,

Top notch work. I am sure it will perform as good as the Hurst upgrade you designed. Staying tuned to for further updates.

I am a rank amature with racing but the engine does not seem wildly modified so is it the tires and launching hard that is causing the problems?

Wheel Hop is the killer. But I had very sticky tires at the strip. 70

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