'39 Ford Sedan rear end width help

Ok you 35 to 40 Ford owners.... what width rear end (either 8 inch or 9 inch) are you using with rear parallel springs. Tell me where you are measuring from and what offset wheels you are using with the measurement.

I'm in the process of finding a rear end for my '39 Sedan, need to know what to look for.

Thanks all....

 

I have a '57 Chevy rear end under my '40 with 7" wide wheels.

 

Been a while sine I fit springs and an axle under a 39, but it seems to me that the last time I did it the axle was about 51" backing plate to backing plate, (Ford 8") and I think the wheels were 3 1/2" backspace.

This is from memory over 20 years ago, but I am about 98% on the 51", and the wheels fit the stock opening well.

 

Thanks..... anyone else want to 'way in'? Every little bit helps.

 

Most of the time, a fat fendered Ford is happiest with an axle that checks in at about 58". That's from wheel flange to wheel flange. Relying on backing plate measurements can cause a world of hurt quickly. The best way to figure out what you need is to get the wheels and tires you want to run, get them mounted, block the car up at the ride height you want, slide the wheels and tires under, slide under yourself and measure. Then you can go out to the wrecking yards and hunt for what will work best for you. Any other way is kinda a crap shoot.

 

Got an early Bronco 9" under mine. Perfect fit. Used it so I could use 5 1/2" bolt circle wheels.

 

I did that when I was a kid, I probably measured from flange to flange once or twice, but all I remember now was the 51" from backing plate to backing plate. This was on an 8" axle out of a Maverick, I imagine this will end up being pretty damn close to your 58".... more or less,,,,

EDIT - After thinking about it for a while, I think the Maverick rear I had was 57" flange to flange....

 

Maverick with 7" TTO Americans, can't remember offset, but easy to find.

 

Chassis Engineering sells a rear leaf kit to fit 1939 Fords. Their ad lists the best donor rear ends for that year Ford.

 

I just swapped 8" housings in the back of my '40 coupe. The magic number was 58", outside to outside. I'm running 235/70/15 Firestone Indy 500's on 15 x 7 American TTO's. I believe they have a 3 3/4" backspace. I had a 59 1/4" wide rear end, and couldn't get the tires under the car.

With the 58" wide rearend, I now have around 1/2" clearance between the inner lip of the fender and the fattest part of the sidewall bulge.

 

On the last 4 40's I used maverick 8 inch rears-58 1/4 hub to hub--centered 7" wheels and 235/75/15 tires-looks close but never rub-did it on two coupes a woody and a sedan delivery

 

Thanks fellas...... helps me a lot!

 

I,m running a Granda rear works good,chassic eng spring kit.

 

I'm using an early Ford Bronco rear end under my 36 as well. Width is perfect and has 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern to run the early Ford wheels as well. I have a Chassis Eng. parallel kit under mine too.

 

I'm using a 8.8 from a 94 mustang GT in my 39. It's 61" flange to flange. I have it mocked up with mid 90's crown vic police wheels. Not on the road yet, but I don't see any problems yet either.