Do you remember what it was like to scrounge salvage yards looking for a Ford nine-inch rear axle for your vintage Mustang? Most of the time you'd come home empty-handed or you were placed on a call list on the chance that the yard could find what you wanted. Or perhaps you were doing a six to V-8 conversion and had to search for the right nine-inch rear end, then had to settle for an eight-inch instead. Currie Enterprises has long understood your plight and has done something about it.
Founded in 1959, Currie Enterprises has always been about rear ends. If ever we could define the world's automotive rear axle expert, it would be Ray Currie and his handpicked team of professionals. What this means is exceptional quality from every Currie product. The company performs a lot of field-testing, both off-road and on-highway, to make sure it all works as advertised.
Currie nine-inch axle housings...
Currie nine-inch axle housings are made in America from raw materials.
Here, Currie cuts axle tubes...
Here, Currie cuts axle tubes to a predetermined length. Nothing goes to waste. Any scrap is recycled and used again.
Axle tubes are cleaned up...
Axle tubes are cleaned up for axle housing assembly. This makes it easy to fit tubes into the centersection.
For many years, Currie Enterprises had to work with available cores like the rest of us. In recent years, Currie has developed a rapport with U.S. suppliers and now offers complete Ford rear axle assemblies for a broad range of applications.
The Ford nine-inch rear end is legendary for its durability and simple design. Racers prefer the nine-inch, even those who compete in Chevrolet, Dodge, and other makes. Go to any NASCAR race or NHRA drag strip and look underneath the cars. You will see a Ford nine-inch beneath all kinds of rocket ships. There's simply no better performance rear end out there than the Ford nine-inch removable carrier.
For just under $1,100 plus taxes and shipping, Currie will build you a complete Ford nine-inch axle housing, including shafts, bearings, seals, plates, and hardware. Here's what you get for your money:
Here's the beginnings of what...
Here's the beginnings of what goes into a Currie crate axle. The centersection is available in either '57-'66 style with the rounded pot or '67-up with the bulge. As a rule, most look like this one. If you want the correct nine-inch housing for a '65 Mustang, you will need the rounded housing common prior to '67. If you're installing the rear in a '67 like us, you need this one. Currie centersections are manufactured by U.S. suppliers, so you're getting American quality and keeping Americans working.
When axle housings are assembled...
When axle housings are assembled and welded together, the nine-inch differential housing is torqued in place for the same reason we use torque plates when honing an engine block.
Currie wants the centersection...
Currie wants the centersection as it will be assembled when they weld the axle tubes in place.
- Currie 9-Plus axle housing
- 31-spline axles with five-on-4 1/2-inch wheel lug bolt pattern
- Heavy-duty 2 1/4-inch leaf spring pads
- 1/4-inch-thick bearing retainer plates
- Pressed on axle bearings with dust shields
- Seals
- Accommodates nearly any brake kit, including Currie drum brakes
N-Case For Strength
Nodular iron, or "N-case," rear ends haven't been available from Ford in ages. Now Currie is offering the legendary Ford nine-inch N-case chunk for classic Mustangs and other vintage Fords in limited quantities. Just ask for part number CE-94027F, priced at $289.95 plus shipping. These are new nodular iron cases from Ford Racing Performance Parts that are identical to the originals, other than the lack of date codes and Ford casting numbers. They feature a 2.891-inch diameter bearing carrier for use with 28, 31, or 33-spline axles. These bulletproof cases include chrome moly carrier caps, bolts, spanner nuts, and spanner nut locks.
Normally a weak spot with...
Normally a weak spot with eight- and some nine-inch carriers, this Currie pinion pilot bearing support has plenty of nodular iron for added strength.
All measurements are checked...
All measurements are checked and rechecked before the tubes are "spot" welded. Once these points are temporarily welded, the housing is transferred to another department that fully welds the entire assembly, including leaf spring mounting pads.
Each Currie axle housing is...
Each Currie axle housing is stamped with a serial number for future reference. If you find one at a swap meet or in a salvage yard, all you have to do is provide Currie with the serial number to determine what you've found.
This department welds our...
This department welds our nine-inch axle tubes to the centersection along with axle flanges.
Everything is precision checked...
Everything is precision checked and welded to exacting Currie specifications.
Leaf spring mount pads are...
Leaf spring mount pads are checked and rechecked, then welded to the axle housing. Here, pinion angle is checked before welding.
Although axle tubes are believed...
Although axle tubes are believed to be accurately fitted and welded into the centersection, as the axle housing cools, it distorts. Thanks to extremely accurate measuring equipment and hydraulic pressure, the axle is trued to get the tubes perfectly straight.
Axle housings are placed in...
Axle housings are placed in a tumbler and blasted clean, which improves paint or powder coating adhesion, thereby preventing corrosion. Currie Enterprises takes great pains to remove all media from this blasting operation.
Currie does most of its own...
Currie does most of its own manufacturing. Here, an axle shaft gets its 31 splines on a computer-controlled cutter.
Although this looks like a...
Although this looks like a classic Ford nine-inch N-case, it is actually reproduced from a Ford N-case, making it a spot-on piece that will work in your restoration project as long as no one is looking for date codes and Ford casting numbers. This will be a Traction Lok unit with clutch-style locking in a four-pinion design. Not one used part is present.
New Timken bearings are pressed...
New Timken bearings are pressed on the differential, which will provide durability.
Our nine-inch axle is being...
Our nine-inch axle is being fitted with 3.55:1 gears. All Currie differential fasteners get a thread locker before being torqued to Ford specifications.
The ring gear is set up and...
The ring gear is set up and drawn tight using the ten bolts provided.
Currie Crate Axle Housings for Mustangs
| '65-'66 Mustang: |
CE-FDM6466X |
| '67-'70 Mustang: |
CE-FDM6770X |
| '71-'73 Mustang: |
CE-FDM7173X |
| '79-'93 Mustang: |
CE-FDM7993X |
(Four-Lug) |
| '05-'09 Mustang: |
CE-FDM0507X |
(Five-Lug) |
Note: You can custom order a nine-inch housing for nearly any application including five-lug flanges for '79-'04 Mustangs. Special-order nine-inch housings are also available for '74-'78 Mustang II-call for an estimate.
Bolts are torqued in criss-cross...
Bolts are torqued in criss-cross fashion in third values after the ring gear has been seated.
All bolt holes are chased...
All bolt holes are chased and lubricant used on bolt threads to ensure proper torque values.
Originally, Ford differentials...
Originally, Ford differentials had crush sleeves to get pinion depth into the neighborhood. Currie opts for pinion bearing shimming for precision accuracy.
Here, the pinion seal has...
Here, the pinion seal has been installed and lubricated. Clearances have been checked and the pinion support is installed in the differential case. All bolts get a thread locker, then they are torqued to Ford specifications using Currie Grade 8 fasteners.
Ring gear backlash is checked...
Ring gear backlash is checked next. This happens via ring gear position and pinion gear depth into the ring gear. Currie doesn't compromise on ring and pinion mesh. It must be perfectly smooth with proper backlash. If it doesn't measure up, it is rejected.
Our nine-inch unit is run...
Our nine-inch unit is run in with a power drill to place a mesh pattern in the ring gear.
Tooth pattern should fall...
Tooth pattern should fall right in the middle on both sides. The back side of the gear teeth is the coast side, which loads during deceleration. By the way, there's no guarantee a ring and pinion set will break in properly, although most do just fine. However, if you don't work-harden the gears properly during break in, you risk gear failure. Work hardening means hard acceleration and deceleration once you have 500 miles on a rear end.
Final assembly of our Currie...
Final assembly of our Currie N-Case nine-inch begins in earnest prior to crating and shipping. If you need to paint or powder coat your Currie nine-inch, let Currie know so it can be shipped disassembled. Currie will also powder coat your axle housing at additional cost. Differential carriers can also be painted or powder coated. Otherwise, it is shipped assembled in the raw.
Did you know you can get new...
Did you know you can get new drum brake assemblies from Currie Enterprises for your classic Mustang?
These are completely new assemblies...
These are completely new assemblies that include the drum for under $400 for a pair.
Final assembly includes checking...
Final assembly includes checking for noise or sloppy tolerances.
All Currie axle assemblies...
All Currie axle assemblies are shipped dry, which means you'll need axle lube and friction additives when you order your axle assembly. This entire assembly, including brakes, retails for under $3,000.