Has anyone used a complete 9" 3rd member from Strange?

[Curtis Guise]

I'm in the market for a new 40 spline 9" 3rd member and wanted to see if anyone has bought a complete setup from Strange. I know they make good nodular housings and spools. It looks like their pricing isn't to bad for a complete setup.

Page 43 & 44 on their catalog http://www.strangeengineering.net/catalog/index.html

When you upgrade to a 40 spline spool and a chromoly yoke it looks like it would be about $1300 - 1400 total. Not bad to the $2000 price people have told me to expect to pay for a complete 3rd member.

And isn't it better to stay with a steel pinion support instead of the aluminum ones? They also offer an upgrade to a ball bearing support for $50. Don't all of them using bearings?

For gears they offer Strange, Motive(italian) and Richmond. I have heard Italian made gears are the way to go. Anyone have any input on this?

[Superfab]

We've sold many over the years. They make the nodular housings for Ford Motorsport. Yes the package price is a good deal and the steel pinion support would be my choice. As for the gears, all the ones we have sold have had the Strange R&P sets. The best thing would be to call them and discuss your application and get their opinion as which components would be correct for you.

[charlie_brown]

I have the strange spool, strange “us” gear set, but I am running a monster case with a Daytona(sp) pinion support. All my old skool friends tell me to run the cheap gears because all the high price ones are heat treated and are to brittle for offroad hard use. If you service it often, you would want to put a magnate inside also.

I am putting this in today with fresh 5:88 gears.

[partybarge_pilot]

The motive gears are a very good choice. There is nothing wrong with the aluminum pinion supports, the "Daytona" ones have larger bearings than stock. Plus they weigh less and have better heat dissipation.

[Superfab]

By the way, there are 2 different types of gear sets. One is the Pro gear type that are made out of 9310 steel and are used in drag racing and the other are 8620 material and are usually used for off road. They are not as brittle as the 9310 gears.

[Chris_Wilson]

By the way, there are 2 different types of gear sets. One is the Pro gear type that are made out of 9310 steel and are used in drag racing and the other are 8620 material and are usually used for off road. They are not as brittle as the 9310 gears.

I think the Pro gears for drag racing are softer (not brittle). The street gears are harder so they last longer but will not take as high of an impact before chipping. The Pro gears might only last 1000 miles or so, depending upon application because they are so soft. I used gears that were treated to a hardness halfway between the hard street gears and the soft pro gears in my 8 truck. Seemed to last a few thousand miles and no failures. Was too cheap to spring for the 10" gear setup.

[charlie_brown]

which ever are the soft ones are is the one to run. i been told that the cheaper ones are the softer ones because it talks less work to make.
here i swhat i have been running.

[DRIVE Jon]

Hey Curtis,

I need a 9" 3rd as well. Just bought a Currie 9" housing. I will be going 35 spline and Detroit.

The Strange deal sounds pretty good!

Their prices seem the same as Currie though. Who quoted $2K for wa 40spline spool 3rd???

[85yota]

I'd check out quick performance for some cheap prices on anything for a 9", I got the complete stranger N case, 35 spline spool, bearings, motive gears, daytons support, 1350 forged yoke and all that for $775 shipped and then another $100 for a shop to install it all. I'd give them a call and get the parts then have any shop you like set them up for you.

[formerly known as]

We are running a strange and havent had any problems.

[Ziggy]

Me too.7 years and never even a broken axle.

[motoxscott]

As far as cases go, the Strange Engineering Pro Series Nodular case is the way to go for a 9". Most of the others available are just knock-offs to be honest with you and not as high quality. We only sell the Strange case.

- Scott @ Camburg

[creynolds]

I'd check out quick performance for some cheap prices on anything for a 9", I got the complete stranger N case, 35 spline spool, bearings, motive gears, daytons support, 1350 forged yoke and all that for $775 shipped and then another $100 for a shop to install it all. I'd give them a call and get the parts then have any shop you like set them up for you.

I'd agree on giving Quick a call. I bought a similar center section from them about 2 years ago. They have great prices and fantastic customer service, great people to deal with.

http://www.quickperformance.com/Products/center%20sections.htm

[Curtis Guise]

Hey Curtis,
Their prices seem the same as Currie though. Who quoted $2K for wa 40spline spool 3rd???

I wasn't quoted that much, some people just told me to expect to pay that much. I did see some places like Mark Williams that sell them for over $2k.

That Quick Performance place sells a complete center section with a Strange Pro N case and any size spool for $1090, crazy. http://www.quickperformance.com/Products/center%20sections.htm

[Co-Dog]

If you want to deal with somebody locally, my boss is a retailer for Strange.

http://friar-engineering.com/index.htm

[85yota]

I wouldn't get a complete setup unit from them they tack on close to $300 and they just set them up for street specs with too much backlash. My first 3rd came setup and didnt' last for more than 2 trips out, now I get them done locally and a little tighter backlash and they have lasted for over a year or so/

[GEARDOC]

The softer gears are the 9310 Pro Gear sets. They are the more expensive of the gears. Wouldn't recommend running 8620 in the desert. Whoever you buy your parts from, I'd be happy to set it up for you. Call Fortin Racing. 619 449 3633. By the way, the Chrisman aluminum pinion support is a top notch product. My 2 cents.Jerry