Commodore 9” Rear Differential Conversion by Lowe Fabrications

VB–VS Holden Commodore

Australian Engineered · Built In-House · Made to Order

When power levels climb, the factory Borg Warner rear end eventually becomes the weak link. The Lowe Fabrications 9” Commodore conversion is a clean-sheet, in-house engineered solution, designed to deliver true 9” strength while retaining factory suspension geometry, street manners, and serviceability.

This is not a modified import housing or a universal swap.
This is a purpose-built rear end for real Australian street cars with serious power.

Designed Around Factory Geometry

Unlike many aftermarket conversions, the Lowe Fab 9” rear end retains all original VB–VS Commodore suspension pickup points, allowing continued use of:

• Factory sway bars

• Direct-replacement sway bars

• Known aftermarket sway bars designed as factory replacements

• Original upper and lower control arms

• OE replacement or aftermarket direct-replacement control arms

• Factory panhard rod

No geometry changes.
No compromised handling.
No band-aid fixes.

The car continues to drive, ride, and behave like a Commodore — just with a rear end that can actually handle the power.

Fully Fabricated Australian-Made Housing

Every Lowe Fabrications 9” conversion starts from raw material and is manufactured in-house in Australia.

• Fully fabricated housing — no cut-and-shut cores

• Jig-built for accuracy and repeatability

• Designed specifically for VB–VS Commodore chassis

• Built for strength, longevity, and serviceability

Ford Big-Bearing Upgrade

Each housing is built with the Ford Big-Bearing end upgrade, a specification long favoured by Australian engineers and racers for high-power applications. This improves bearing support, axle durability, and long-term reliability under load.

Serious Driveline Specification (Standard)

Supplied as standard with high-quality internal components chosen for strength, reliability, and street use.

Standard specification includes:

• True Trac limited-slip differential

• 31-spline billet axles

• Choice of final drive ratios:

  • 3.7:1

  • 3.9:1

  • 4.1:1

This setup delivers excellent traction, predictable behaviour, and proven strength for boosted, LS, and high-torque combinations.

Included Brake Package (Advertised Price)

The advertised price includes a complete, functional rear brake solution, not just a bare housing.

Supplied with:

• VT Commodore rear calipers

• VT Commodore slotted rear rotors

• Lowe Fabrications upgraded 190mm handbrake conversion backing plates

• Suitable-length handbrake cable upgrade matched to your vehicle

This provides a reliable, serviceable rear brake setup using widely available Commodore components.

Big Brake Options

Upgraded rear brake packages — including VE–VF multi-piston calipers and various aftermarket options — are available.

Due to the wide range of brake combinations and vehicle use cases, these upgrades are best discussed directly.
👉 Please contact us to tailor a brake package to your build.

Narrowing Options & Fitment Philosophy

Narrowed housings can be supplied, however this conversion is intentionally designed for factory floor pan vehicles.

• Maximum narrowing: 1 inch total

• Retains factory control arms, shocks, sway bar and pickup points

• Maintains correct handbrake mechanism and shock clearance

This is not a big-tire or mini-tub rear end.

It is engineered for:

• Factory floor pan street cars

• High-power builds

• Correct suspension travel

• OEM-style fitment and serviceability

Any further narrowing introduces clearance issues with handbrake mechanisms and shock mounting — compromises we deliberately avoid.

Tailshaft Requirements

A custom tailshaft is required to suit this conversion.

• Uses Ford 9” U-bolt pinion yoke setup

• Tailshaft length and specification will vary by vehicle and transmission

Your local tailshaft specialist will be able to build a suitable unit once the rear end is installed or measured – We can also help here with some measurments on car.

Built to Order – Made to Your Specification

Each rear end is manufactured to order and assembled in-house.

• Built by Lowe Fabrications in Australia

• Assembled to your selected ratio and specification

• Typical build time: 8–12 weeks

• ETA confirmed at time of order

This ensures every unit meets the standards expected of a premium Australian-made driveline component.

Ideal Applications

• High-power street Commodores

• LS and boosted engine conversions

• Drag and roll racing builds

• Pro-Touring style carsequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked Questions

Will this bolt into my VB–VS Commodore?

Yes. This conversion is designed specifically for VB–VS Commodore solix axle chassis and retains all factory suspension pickup points.

Can I keep my factory control arms?

Yes. Factory control arms, OE replacements, and direct-replacement aftermarket control arms are all compatible.

Will my sway bar fit?

Yes. Factory sway bars, direct-replacement sway bars, and known aftermarket replacements designed to factory fitment will bolt straight on.

Do I need a custom tailshaft?

Yes. A custom tailshaft is required to suit the Ford 9” U-bolt pinion yoke configuration.

What brakes are included?

The advertised price includes VT Commodore rear calipers, slotted rotors, Lowe Fab 190mm handbrake backing plates, and a suitable-length handbrake cable upgrade.

Can I run bigger brakes?

Absolutely. VE–VF multi-piston and aftermarket brake packages are available. Due to the number of options, we recommend contacting us to discuss your requirements.

How much can it be narrowed?

Up to 1 inch total. This ensures correct shock, sway bar, and handbrake clearance while retaining factory geometry.

Is this suitable for drag racing?

Yes — particularly for factory floor pan street/strip cars. This is not intended as a full race, big-tire rear end.

Lead time?

Typical build time is 8–12 weeks, as each unit is made to order.

The Lowe Fabrications Difference

We don’t believe in fixing one problem by creating three more.

This 9” conversion delivers the strength everyone wants — without changing how the car drives, rides, or behaves.

Built properly.
Built locally.
Built to last.

Enthusiasts wanting real strength without sacrificing drivability