Ford 9 Inch Aluminum Third Member Center Section Carrier 3.062-in

• A356-T6 housing with 3.062-inch carrier bearing race diameter
• Compatible with both 5-bolt and 10-bolt pinion supports
• 12-pounds lighter than our cast iron Ford 9-inch third member housing
• Forged aluminum through bolt cap design for additional strength
• Compatible with both 28- and 31-spline axle options
• Billet steel adjuster nuts with heavy duty keepers to maintain ring & pinion settings
• Fits commonly available differential carriers, full size spools, lockers and more
• Standard gear oil fill location on driver’s side of casting

Lightweight Aluminum 9-inch Center Section Reduces Unsprung Weight

There’s no denying that the Ford 9-inch axle is one of the most popular performance axle swaps in the history of automotive performance. Not only are there more 9-inch axles under hot rods and muscle cars than Ford ever produced, but they’re found under many a ride that isn’t even a Ford, such as first generation Camaros, C10 pickup trucks, G-body race cars, and much more. While they are known for their strength, they are also known for their weight. They are among the heaviest car-based axle assemblies known. While that does help make them strong, it also means you’re carrying around additional unsprung weight that hurts performance and handling. One of the simplest options to reduce weight on your Ford 9-inch is by swapping to a Ford 9-inch center section made from aluminum.

Using a 9” aluminum center section provides similar, if not even more strength, than traditional gray iron third members while shaving 10-12 pounds off your ride’s unsprung weight. What does that ultimately mean? For your car or truck that means quicker acceleration, better handling, and even improved braking, as your suspension and axle can respond more quickly to changing road conditions, keeping the tires in better contact with the road. Building your Ford 9-inch with an aluminum third member provides all these benefits while still allowing one of the largest reasons for running the Ford 9-inch in the first place, an easily removable Ford 9-inch case. Using the bolt in Ford 9-inch third member permits owners to swap gear ratios or differential types with ease without requiring difficult ring and pinion gear setup each time like weaker integral carrier housings require, such as GM’s 10-bolt.

Cast From A356-T6 Aluminum And Precision Machined For An Exact Fit

Using premium alloys like A356-T6 means you’re getting a precision machined cast part that is void of any porosity with exacting surface tolerances providing leak free installation and easy fitment of bearings, seals, and more to build the perfect Ford 9-inch third member for your 9-inch axle. Forged aluminum main caps, secured by Grade 8 through bolts for maximum strength that reduces gear deflection, while billet steel adjusters with high-strength locks keep your ring and pinion mesh settings where you set them. Featuring a standard 3.062 carrier bearing race diameter you have a large choice of carrier bearing options to choose from. Matter of fact, this aluminum 9-inch center section accepts all standard Ford 9-inch case components, including bearings, seals, pinion supports, differentials and more. Note that minor case clearancing may be required for some differentials with larger than OEM case diameters.

You can assemble your new aluminum third member with a standard five bolt pinion support, but we’ve provided mounting compatibility with the stronger 10-bolt pinion support many prefer for its additional strength. Simply choose your pinion support and grab a pinion support bearing kit for installation. Our cast aluminum housing is compatible with both 28- and 31-spline axle assemblies, providing support for all manner of street and performance 9-inch axle builds.

We even offer a fully assembled clutch-style limited slip posi version in your choice of 28 or 31 spline with ratios from 3.00 to 4.56 if you’d rather let our trained assembly techs put one together for you using all new hardware and with the proper backlash, preload, and shim setup delivered right to your door and ready to bolt into your 9-inch housing.