We all know that every SEMA Show has its highlight. That one car or product that doesn’t need flash to draw the right crowd. For this year’s SEMA show, that moment was at the Currie Enterprises booth with their new Apex Floater. This is a complete, modern interpretation of the legendary 9-inch rearend, and it feels like a genuine leap forward for an icon.
Why The 9-Inch Needed To Evolve
The Ford 9-inch is a 50-year-old staple. It’s tough, but it’s a semi-float design never meant for today’s builds. Modern power levels, incredibly aggressive tire compounds, and massive pro-touring brakes are creating bending loads that the old design simply can’t handle. Currie recognized that the platform needed a total structural rethink, not just reinforcement.
A Modern Full-Float Architecture
The rethink starts with new CNC-machined floater housing ends. These ends are engineered to accept bolt-on unit bearings from the C7 Corvette, transforming the 9-inch into a true full-float design. The vehicle’s weight now rides on the hub assembly, not the axle shaft. This improves durability and safety, as the axle shaft’s only job is to transmit torque, and it’s far more resistant to the lateral forces modern muscle cars generate.
The Apex Floater And Modern Electronics
The most innovative part of the Apex Floater is how it blends mechanical toughness with digital precision. The use of C7-style unit bearings means builders can now integrate GM-style wheel-speed sensors. This is a game-changer, opening the door for aftermarket ECUs to run true multi-channel ABS, traction control, stability logic, and launch strategies. A restomod Mopar with real ABS is now a plug-and-play option.
Brake And Wheel Freedom For Builders
Currie designed this system with builders in mind. It’s not a proprietary setup. The Apex Floater is compatible with a wide range of Wilwood brake packages, from 11-inch street setups to 14-inch track hardware. It supports both mechanical and electric park-brake configurations and is offered in multiple bolt patterns. This modularity gives builders the freedom to use their preferred wheel and brake combinations, reflecting how individualized the muscle car community has become.
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