Читать книгу Ford Differentials - Joseph Palazzolo - Страница 23

Another difference between the 8.8-inch arrangement and the traditional 9-inch is that the 8.8-inch gears do not have the trunnion on the pinion head, so the high-pinion 9-inch axles do not have the straddle-mounted pinion bearing arrangement. Therefore, the high-pinion, 9-inch axle used for off-road and lifted truck applications is more of a hybrid combination of the 9-inch structure with 8.8-inch gears. This axle assembly usually drives 35-inch tires and transmits up to 400 hp. The hybrid third member can also be used in the rear axle application, again limiting power and tire size. The high-pinion third members have some unique features added to the gear case in order to catch and direct oil to the bearings.

From left to right are: 10-inch, 9-inch, and GM G-Body 7.5-inch 10-bolt.

It is possible to use a traditional 9-inch rear axle third member and just flip it over to drive the front wheels. But in this configuration, the hypoid gears are typically driving on the coast side of the gears, which are not as strong, with a typical reduction in load-carrying capacity of about 20 to 30 percent along with poor oil flow.