Fabricated 9s build

softballnrd27

softballnrd27

TJ Enthusiast
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Sep 7, 2017
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Harker Heights, TX, United States
Started the parts collection to build some fabricated 9s for the LJ.
Where I am hung up is do I go with a factory-style super duty inner c and knuckle combo or the fabricated inner/outer knuckle combo?
Full Hydro or Hydro assist? Some street driving but not too much. Occasional drive to work and from trail to trail in places like Moab.
 
softballnrd27 said:
Started the parts collection to build some fabricated 9s for the LJ.
Where I am hung up is do I go with a factory-style super duty inner c and knuckle combo or the fabricated inner/outer knuckle combo?
Full Hydro or Hydro assist? Some street driving but not too much. Occasional drive to work and from trail to trail in places like Moab.
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Spidertrax is where it’s at for a fab9 in my opinion, it’s what I use.

The fabricated knuckle vs factory knuckle really comes down to if you want unsealed bearings that come with the fabricated knuckle or if you want sealed bearings that come with the factory style knuckle.

You’ll get more out of the fabricated knuckle in terms of steering if you go full hydro. I’m not sure you can get 50° with hydro assist.

It really comes down to what you are building for. What others do that work on the trails you’re wanting to take it on.
 
I am doing the same. I went with 99-04 knuckles they’re the smallest HD knuckle, everything is plenty big for my 04 LJ but not too big. I’m building these for 37s so light but bomber was my goal.
 
B00mb00m said:
I am doing the same. I went with 99-04 knuckles they’re the smallest HD knuckle, everything is plenty big for my 04 LJ but not too big. I’m building these for 37s so light but bomber was my goal.
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And I believe with the 99-04 SuperDuty knuckles you get more options for hubs vs the tiny selection for 05+
 
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Yeah 99-04 has more hub options but you are limited to 1480 ujoints, 05+ I could run 1550 joints or if I ever get froggy, RCV Big Bells. The other added benefit to 05+ is I can run factory unit bearings and brakes for ease of replacement parts if there is a breakage.
 
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softballnrd27 said:
Yeah 99-04 has more hub options but you are limited to 1480 ujoints, 05+ I could run 1550 joints or if I ever get froggy, RCV Big Bells. The other added benefit to 05+ is I can run factory unit bearings and brakes for ease of replacement parts if there is a breakage.
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Some of those same reasons is why I went with Reid’s super kingpins on my Spidertrax front axle.
 
My housings were delivered Monday. All I can say is wow, these things are supper beefy!!

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softballnrd27 said:
TrueHi9 MegaHi9 up front and a low pinion rear. Looking at potentially running Gearworks 10" too. The problem is that no one has gear sets for the 10" right now.
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Figured as much on the hp 9 front. Are you planning on unit bearings or lockouts? Just wondering how the front hp would do on the road with unit bearings. The gearworks 10s seem really stout. While expensive, seems like a buy once deal.
 
05+ Superduty Unit bearings. The unit bearings should be just fine on the street, they come from the factory on a high-pinion 60. The 9" is just as strong maybe stronger than a 60 due to the fact that there are 3 pinion bearings supporting the pinion, and with the addition of load bolts there should be no ring gear deflection.
 
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softballnrd27 said:
05+ Superduty Unit bearings. The unit bearings should be just fine on the street, they come from the factory on a high-pinion 60. The 9" is just as strong maybe stronger than a 60 due to the fact that there are 3 pinion bearings supporting the pinion, and with the addition of load bolts there should be no ring gear deflection.
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cool, the hi9 has always interested me. Being that it's always turning, are there any oiling issues with highway use?
 
Cool build. Keep us posted.

I have always used the 99-04 style, but the short stubs and direct to unit bearing has be wanting to build an 05 style. Trail gear has some fab knuckles for the older style.

And we raced with a front High9, the older style with welded oil drain. Worked great up to 100 mph. We did go through a couple ring gears, the faces of the gears seemed soft and would get concave.
 
When I priced out High 9 was about same price as Gearworks, is there any reason to not run 10”?
 
I'll be watching this build for sure. I like the idea of a relatively light weight drivetrain that can handle abuse. What's the fun in a trail rig that you feel the need to finesse?
 
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