just saw my friends 3200 lbs nova,with a 540 toss all the parts out of his $2000, 9" today. i.m.o. a 9" is only as strong as the money you shovel at it. as stated on another forum on hear,build it with more over kill, than the h.p. you have and it will live...back to a dana 60(that is a little heavy) will hold tons of h.p. with a good spool and axles,just like the are. again,J.M.O.