Ford 9" or 12 bolt rear end?
 

Seems most people like to run a Ford 9" on their pro touring cars. With people having trouble getting the new ones to run quiet, is there any reason not to run a 12 bolt?

I have a full DSE quadra link rear suspension and I'm trying to figure out what rear end to run. I would buy a new 12 bolt or 9" from DSE/Gear fx.

I'm running a LT5 and should be over 800hp(rwhp) after mods.

Thanks in advance!

I bought my last center section through GearFX (just converted to DSE front and rear). I went with the REM polish and dyno. Absolutely no gear noise from it, so far I love it (200 miles).

There's not really a good reason NOT to, if you're going new that is.

A new 12 bolt with Ford bearing ends on it, or a floater, would be the way to do it.
The 12 bolts are a little bulky, but with the quadralink you shouldn't have an issue with anything.

I run DSE’s full suspension in my 68 Camaro with a 12 bolt rear from DSE and have zero issues, love it. Only thing I would do different in hindsight is spring for the floater setup but that’s my fault…didn’t see the value in it til I started auto crossing it. In fact, I called GearFX to question them about the Ford 9” before pulling the trigger on the rearend in my 67 Nova project and during the conversation, mentioned that I thought my pinion seal may be leaking in my 12 bolt (keep in mind, this a couple years after the rearend was purchased and GearFX wasn’t even building rear ends for DSE at that time) and the guy sent me another correct pinion seal and retaining nut free of charge. As it turned out, it was my vent that was leaking so it wasn’t needed but their customer service is excellent and they’re good people to deal with. I haven’t got the Nova done so can’t testify to the 9” yet but I’d say you can’t go wrong either way.

Same here as above two posts.
I run a DSE 12 bolt with Ford bearings and a TrueTrac third member.
Works great for my application although I don’t have your horsepower.

In a 9" rear the pinion gear is located lower instead of in the middle of the housing like in a 12 bolt. For lowered cars it is preferred... That's what is in my '69 Chevelle. 35 spline Wavetrac setup with Watts link/torque arm.

Ah, I hadn't thought of the offset. How much is the difference? I am installing an T56 magnum and cutting the tunnel but, I don't want to have to raise the tunnel even further.

I had Moser build my original 12 bolt and put the big bearing ends on it. The only advice I have is to make sure you get the inner seals and not rely on just the O ring on the bearing.

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