There's a lot of different ways to go about choosing the components we incorporate into our classic truck projects, and many times circumstance guides us as much as personal preference does in that regard.
A good example of this is my homebuilt '57 Chevy project. As I've said in the past, not only do I want to end up with a cool-looking classic pickup but I'm also aiming for one that'll function as well as a workhorse as it will as a daily driven hot rod-while still being somewhat affordable in the process. So with that delicate balancing act of preference and circumstance in mind, I've pretty much worked out the areas/components I might scrimp on versus those that I either can't or won't. In my case anyway, I've decided to spend the bulk of my budget on mechanicals and begin the penny-pinching after the suspension and driveline are handled.
Currie's 9-Plus hot rod-style...
Currie's 9-Plus hot rod-style 9-inchers are upgraded duplicates of the original '57 Ford 9-inch housing right down to their small-web centers with rounded backs and 3- by 0.188-inch axle tubes. And their third members are legendary when it comes to strength and durability, making them a great choice for backing up a high-horsepower classic pickup no matter what its badge. But for those who wish to stay a bit more true to their preferred make, Currie also builds and sells GM A-, G-, and F-body style rearends as well as 12-bolts and Dana 60s.
The day I wandered into Currie's...
The day I wandered into Currie's facility to watch the guys assemble my 9-inch it was buzzing with activity (as it always seems to be). The company occupies a 27,000-square-foot complex not far from our offices over in east Anaheim, California. And even in the last 15 or so years that I've been dealing with them, the company has grown in size and the product line has continued to expand. Currie Enterprises now has nearly 50 employees and boasts a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The Curries design, build, modify, test, sell, and install rearend and drivetrain products, all under one roof.
I found my way to the 9-Plus assembly area and a cart full of what was to become the rearend for my '57 was ready and waiting.
The heart of the 9-Plus is...
The heart of the 9-Plus is its third member, and for my future workhorse I chose Currie's standard street assembly that's basically designed for street rods, muscle cars, and trucks with up to 450 hp. These units use good seasoned factory Ford cases pinion supports, and 1330L yokes along with T.S.D. limited slip differentials, and brand-new gears in the customer's choice of ratio (I chose 3.50:1 for the Chevy).
In my case, the '57 is destined to pull a 27-foot long, 7,000-pound camper trailer, hopefully rather regularly. So naturally I'm just as interested in a finished product that's every bit as powerful and reliable as it is cool looking and fun to drive. So far I've upgraded the parallel-leaf solid axle frontend to a high-quality coil-sprung independent Total Cost Involved Engineering system equipped with a power rack-and-pinion and an equally high-quality TCI four-bar coilover rear suspension system. This combination will give me the strength, handling, and the heavily lowered stance I'm hoping to achieve. Along with these components, I made the decision to go with what has been my first choice in rearend assemblies for nearly as long as I've been building hot rod cars and trucks, the Currie 9-inch Ford-style rearend assembly. I say Ford-style because it's been more than a few years since the supply of rebuildable Ford 9-inch rearends has basically dried up, and Currie tooled up and began producing completely new performance rearends in the original Ford configuration. The Currie 9-inchers, known as 9-Plus, are 100 percent brand-new assemblies and components, not junkyard rebuilds. All 9-Plus components meet or exceed original OEM specifications. They're made of superior materials, like cast-iron nodular housings, and precision machined for extraordinary reliability and long life-and they've served me flawlessly for years.
That said, I measured my original Chevy rearend and ordered an identically sized 9-Plus to go with my new rear suspension. Upon placing my order, I inquired about the possibility of hanging out and snapping some pictures of my rearend's assembly, and the guys were more than willing to let me watch it being assembled. (But only after I promised to stay out of the way and not ask the countless stupid questions I'm known for asking.) So take a look at the birth of my rearend (how's that for a stomach-turning invitation), and keep Currie in mind as one of the best sources for classic truck, hot rod, muscle car, and off-road differentials and rearend assemblies you could ever consider.
Gonzalo is my main man when...
Gonzalo is my main man when it comes to the 9-Plus, If I recall correctly he's built the last three Currie rearend assemblies I've purchased and he was ready to go as soon as I walked in. Gonzalo loaded my housing onto the 9-Plus assembly jig in preparation for the build.
The initial step of any Currie...
The initial step of any Currie build starts by pulling up the original work order. The work order has all the pertinent assembly information like the overall dimensions, axle choice, third member gear ratio, and axle bolt pattern. The info is then matched to the components so that the rearend that gets built is exactly as ordered by the customer.
With the information in front...
With the information in front of him Gonzalo begins the process by checking the housing measurements to that of the work order.
Upon their fabrication the...
Upon their fabrication the brand-new housings are treated to some time in a media tumbler to clean and deburr them. Part of the assembly prep is to make sure that all of the media is cleaned out of the seams and crevasses of the housing. This is done by first inserting the axle seal installing tool (without the seal) into each tube and giving it a couple of good whacks to help jar any of that remaining media loose.
After that a wire brush is...
After that a wire brush is chucked up in an air drill and run in and out of each axle tube a couple of times to clean out those areas too. The final step is to thoroughly blow out the housing with high-pressure compressed air to remove any media particles loosened by the hammer blows and wire brush.
A small round magnet is then...
A small round magnet is then inserted and adhered to the bottom of the housing center to draw and gather any future metal particles that will over time be manufactured by normal gear wear during use and keep them trapped at the bottom of the case so they don't stay suspended in the gear lube causing premature third member wear.
The next step is determining...
The next step is determining that the axles are the correct length. Gonzalo inserts one axle, a specially designed jig, and then the opposite side axle. If all is as it should be the axle ends will just touch each side surface of the jig-indicating that the axles are correct for the housing.
The axles are then removed...
The axles are then removed and the seals installed in each axle tube using a purpose-built installation tool, which seats the seals perfectly, as you can see here.