9" Housing/axle question

[BBC71Nova]

I'm hoping to wrap-up my mini-tub project soon. At that time I've got to order a new housing. I'm considering going with a 9". However, I'd rather not commit to a gear set or even a diff until the car is further along. Would it be acceptable to just order a housing and axle pkg and install it without the carrier? The axles are supported on the end with bearings and I thought I could just connect the axles in the center with a PVC pipe or similar for stability there. Then just cover the open end since the carrier would be missing. Is this OK? This would allow me to roll the car around, on/off the trailer, etc until it is closer to completion.

Thanks,
John

[ironworks]

We do that all the time you just have to commit to what type of diff unit you will be running. TrueTrac, Spool, whatever. They all require different length axles.

Rodger

[BBC71Nova]

OK Thanks! I didn't realize that the diff selection would impact the axle length. I could see where a spool might allow longer axles versus a limited slip of some sort but I had assumed that diffs wouldn't be different .

Guess I better make a decision. I've been going back and forth over diff selection for a long time. I plan to take my car to the strip so I have reservations over the TruTrac which otherwise seems to be the ticket. A locker seems to have terrible street manners. I spoke with the WaveTrac guys at SEMA last year and their diff sounded good. Like everyone else though, I am not thrilled about spending 2X what other units cost when there is not much real world data on them yet.

John

[67bird]

Truetrac's aren't bad, but I heard the Quaife (I think I spelled it right) is a better unit. Just what I heard. I have no experience with either.

http://www.autotech.com/quaife/index2.htm

[JRouche]

Too funny. It sounds like you are in exactly the sitch I was in. But for some reason I dont know, I thought I had my axles before the center section was all figured out. I went with an auburn diff, it was all that was available besides a locker at the time.

Maybe I had ordered the center section and was waiting for delivery. I went through reider racing. It was painless with them, and the price was right. Auburn diff, precision gear R/P and a strange center. All set up ready to go. http://www.reiderracing.com/

I got the strange axles from art morrison, they supplied the housing and 4-link.

I used the PVC (the grey electrical stuff, its very durable, wont crack) tube to suspend the axle ends before I mounter the center section. I split the tube in half, and used hose clamps to hold it all together. I do remember having it like that for some time while I finished up the rear clip installation. I totally forgot about doing that till you mentioned it. I also made a block off plate out of the 1/8" thick pressboard, the dark brown stuff that pin boards (tool hanger boards) are made from, but without all the holes. That way I could do alot of welding and grinding without all the crap getting in the housing. Man!! This brings up all kinds of memories. It was all done in the mid 90s so its been awhile. JR