[PDW HOTRODS]

I have a 9 inch that is to wide to use in anythig good. It is a 1970
rear with 31 spline axles, without taper. I know I can have the axles
cut and re-splined, but how hard is it to shorten the housing?
Can I do this at home?

[camaroman7d]

You can shorten the housing at home IF you have a jig. As far as the axels go I wouldn't re-spline them I would just buy a new set, they are not all that expensive and the aftermarket axles are stronger.

I would not try to shorten the housing without a jig, you will end up ruining the housing (warpage) and not getting your bearing end on where they need to be and square, this will lead to wearing out bearings all the time.

[big gear head]

If the ends are not installed in line with the differential bearing bore it will also wear the splines off of the axles and ruin the differential. I have seen this before.

The axles that you have won't have the correct bolt pattern for the wheels. They will have to be redrilled, which might not be possible because Ford axles have 3 large holes between the wheel studs.

[PDW HOTRODS]

I was thinking of using this for a 53 Chevy Pu that I am building. I have
wheels with ford and Chevy bolt pattern. I can change axles for Chevy
pattern if they can't be redrilled. I was wondering where to shorten.
Do the axle tubes slide into the center? Should they be cut at the
end, and re install the end? I have done quite a bit of frame work,
sub-framing, and shortening drive lines. But never narrowing a rear.
Just want to get the how to, or not to, befor / if / I try.

[big gear head]

Housings are cut at the ends. The Ford ends need to be cut about 2 1/2 to 3 inches from the flange so that the seal area is not cut off. A fixture must be used to align everything.