[nikwho]

I've been leaning towards the 9" as well. In a 13 bolt truck housing (not the stronger car 12 bolt housings) what advantage does a 12 bolt have over a 10 bolt? I think that I read that the pinion shaft diameter is either the same, or withing 0.001", IIRC. is that really the weak link? Either way, IF I stuck with a GM housing, I'd likely swap to aftermarket chromoly axle shafts and would have to do c-clip eliminators, as mentioned above. The c clips are are one of the factors, along with 3rd member changeability and the ability to weld on the housing, being that they are not cast iron!