

'73 and later 9" (cars) have a 5 X 5 ½ " bolt circle and the axles cannot be shortened. '72 and earlier 31 spline axles have the ability to be shortened. '63-‘77 Lincoln, LTD, and Thunderbirds had 9 3/8 inch centers, housings were cut away at the gasket surface for ring gear clearance, one curved rib at the front top portion of differential, strong but poor selection of axle ratiosTypes of 9" AxlesĢ8 spline axles cannot be shortened and re-splined (they're tapered).


'60-‘67 – have two dimples, flat center band, oil level hole in back cover. '58-‘59 - two dimples on back of housing, flat center band, some had drain holes. '57 - no dimples, flat center band up the center of the rear cover, bottom drain plug. They do NOT have a removable rear inspection cover.
