I have a Strange modular 9” that I want to use in a small tire setup. I’ll need to widen it about a foot per side. I assume I’ll need to fab some axle tubes than to in but just wanted to make sure there wasn’t already something available. I don’t see anything on the strange website and haven’t called them yet to ask. Any thoughts on the best way to go about it are appreciated. I don’t have a jig and I feel like I can do it without one.

Are you speaking of the 26/27" cast housing or a steel welded housing with a conventional round-ish rear welded cover?

Isn't the intent of the modular 9 housing is that you can change the "modular" axle ends/tube to achieve the width you want/need?
Id call and talk to the Strange tech people about what you are wanting to do.
As far as narrowing or widening a rear end housing with out a fixture is not a very good idea. I made my own fixture years ago, pretty easy if you have access to a lathe to make bearing bushings. Find a junk hydraulic ram with at east a 1" diameter ram for your alignment bar.

26” cast housing with bolt on axle tubes. Strange only appears to offer tube lengths for narrowed applications but I’ll give them a call to see if they can make something longer.

quote:

Originally posted by BJs Wild Ride:
26” cast housing with bolt on axle tubes. Strange only appears to offer tube lengths for narrowed applications but I’ll give them a call to see if they can make something longer.

I don't know why you couldn't do or have done a set of new tubes.
Someone with a lathe could cut the ends off your old tubes then cut and machine a new tube, Then while it's in the lathe weld them together. If the welding is done properly alignment should be right on. Bolt on and order axles.

My opinion as always.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by David Covey:

quote:

Originally posted by BJs Wild Ride:
26” cast housing with bolt on axle tubes. Strange only appears to offer tube lengths for narrowed applications but I’ll give them a call to see if they can make something longer.

I don't know why you couldn't do or have done a set of new tubes.
Someone with a lathe could cut the ends off your old tubes then cut and machine a new tube, Then while it's in the lathe weld them together. If the welding is done properly alignment should be right on. Bolt on and order axles.

My opinion as always.

Dave

That’s why I was thinking I wouldn’t need a jig. As long as the two faces of the new tube are planar and aligned, should be good to go.

quote:

Originally posted by BJs Wild Ride:

quote:

Originally posted by David Covey:

quote:

Originally posted by BJs Wild Ride:
26” cast housing with bolt on axle tubes. Strange only appears to offer tube lengths for narrowed applications but I’ll give them a call to see if they can make something longer.

I don't know why you couldn't do or have done a set of new tubes.
Someone with a lathe could cut the ends off your old tubes then cut and machine a new tube, Then while it's in the lathe weld them together. If the welding is done properly alignment should be right on. Bolt on and order axles.


My opinion as always.

Dave

That’s why I was thinking I wouldn’t need a jig. As long as the two faces of the new tube are planar and aligned, should be good to go.

Yeah. That plus you can hold it straight in the lathe between centers so you can get it tacked real good or completely weld it before you take it out.

Years ago (maybe close to 50) I had an old time sprint car builder narrow a 9 inch housing for me. He had a pretty good size lathe. He cut the housing down to size then with the center in the lathe he faced it and bored that end. Then took the tube he cut off, shortened it, faced it and turned it down to press fit into the center. Welded it after it was together. Did the same on the other side. Super strong.

Dave

The pattern on the end of the housing will be either Early big Ford or lamb symmetrical or both. Anyone with a narrowing fixture could build them using two sets of housing ends and the pucks they have for the fixture.The inner set may need hole sizes figured out.