This question for you who have 40-41 Plymouth

Any of you who have 40-41 plymouths,what rear end did you use that was a bolt in so to speak? I dropped in a lincoln versaille and the calipers will hit the frame if it was to bottom out.I had used a duster rear end on a 33ply i used to have and it dropped in.Any ideas? Thanks

 

I have a '62 Pontiac rearend under mine, I had to add different spring perches to it since the Pontiac is a coil spring rear, but the mid 50's Pontiac rears were leaf spring and may be a direct fit...

 

74 Buick apollo

 

70-71 e-body drops in, mid 60's c-body I was told drops in. I have a 79 chrysler rear in my 40 dodge shown in this thread here... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280828

 

Thanks for the info guys.

 

the late 80's 5th Avenue rear ends are a good fit also.

 

Thanks Voodoo.

 

I used an 87 Dakota rear, I believe. If I were doing it again, I would use a Ford Explorer rear with disc brakes. I think '90 - '95 fit well.

 

Rockable,why would you use the explorer instead? Just curious.

 

guess this is as relevant a time as any to ask....

will these recommendations fit a '40 Chrysler C25 too?
Does 58 1/2" hub-hub sound right? stock wheels

been reading alot on the HAMB about rears for the Mopar family cars of that vintage and seems Ford Explorer is right up there (if disc brakes are needed)

I'm not that particular about having discs in the rear (but they'll definately be on the front); so any of the others would probably work.

thnx, Gatz

 

Can't answer for Rock, but any rear axle from Mopar will be nearly 30 years old unless it was from a truck. Early Dakota rear axles were either 7 1/4 or 8 1/4 which is borderline if you have a strong V8 and traction. Full sized Mopar trucks, and late model Dakota (91 on) no longer have the 5 bolt 4 1/2" pattern. The Ford Explorer is strong enough for a strong V8 and retains the 5 bolt 4 1/2" pattern. They are easier to find, less expensive, and available with factory disc brakes.
I'm a hard core Mopar guy, but reality is, a Mopar rear axle may not be the best option these days, unless of course you or a friend has a bunch of them laying around. Gene

 

Thanks,makes sense.

 

My buddy has a '41 & said the 67-68 C body is a bolt in, but moves the axle forward an inch. With relocated spring perches a wide variety of ford & Mopar axles will fit including 71-3 Mustang/Cougar, Rancheros, Dusters, ect

 

I used a Ford 8" out of a Granada on my '38. Width is right, just move the spring perches.

If the car in question is a convertible (your avatar?) you need a rear with a centered pinion to get the driveshaft through your big center X-member. I believe the Exploder rear has the pinion offset ad won't work on a convertible.

 

I used a 73 coronet rear in my 41 coupe it's a little wide which I corrected with wheel offset. Just bought a 78 lebaron for my 41 convert and it's same width as stock but I need to move perches just a bit.
41plym

 

I put a '79 Trans Am 10 bolt 3:08 posi under mine, complete with the rare factory disk brakes and rear anti sway bar. The spring pads fit the '40 leaf springs, and the width is perfect. That rear sway bar took a lot of roll out of the ole girl.

 

'79 Nova, just moved the perches.

 

Can't answer for Rock, but any rear axle from Mopar will be nearly 30 years old unless it was from a truck. Early Dakota rear axles were either 7 1/4 or 8 1/4 which is borderline if you have a strong V8 and traction. Full sized Mopar trucks, and late model Dakota (91 on) no longer have the 5 bolt 4 1/2" pattern. The Ford Explorer is strong enough for a strong V8 and retains the 5 bolt 4 1/2" pattern. They are easier to find, less expensive, and available with factory disc brakes.
I'm a hard core Mopar guy, but reality is, a Mopar rear axle may not be the best option these days, unless of course you or a friend has a bunch of them laying around. Gene


Well I guess I better replace the factory rears in my '49, '56 and '64 then with 20 year old Explorers. Because they are just too old to use. I'll be s****ping my 70 year old banjos too.

 

Yes,my car i'am working on is my avatar.I have mustang front suspension so i want matching bolt pattern as well if possible a rear end that won't require cutting.Hopefully possible. Exterminator

 

cherokee.

 

It's more readily available, it has disc brakes and you might get lucky and get limited slip. Dodge only made those 5 bolt rear ends for about three years and they are a little hard to find and more expensive. Make sure you get the 8 1/4" rear, not the 7 1/4".

 

I got b and c bodys to fit perch movin my 40 d14 has a c body its fine I like 8 and 3/4 rears

 

You fellas that are running exploder rears, what are you using for driveshaft? is there a hybrid universal that fits mopar driveshaft and ford rear yoke?

 

all Explorers are off-center ?

 

I had to get an "adapter" u-joint to connect up my AX-15 trans to the older rear axle. NAPA has a good many of them, so I'm sure there is one to adapt the driveshaft to the Explorer rear end. You need to find someone who is knowledgeable and patient at your parts store to look through the catalog and find you one.

You are likely to have to have your driveshaft shortened. If that's the case, get the yoke off the Explorer rear end and carry it with you to the driveshaft shop and let them weld it on, ***uming the driveshafts are the same diameter.

 

The original poster was looking for a replacement axle. Would you seriously recommend he go searching for a 40 year old axle at the local yards instead of a 20 year old axle that would be a lot easier to find?

You are the only one on this thread who mentions replacing an axle because it is "just too old to use", everyone else was suggesting something newer because it would be easier to find.

 

Depends on the engine & ****** combo. A stick would rule out the 7 1/4, but it would handle a stock 318/904.

 

All the Exploders & Rangers I looked at were offset.
But I didn't look at them all..
A Ford guy will know.

 

I used a 9-inch Ford in my '48 coupe - two of 'em, in fact. The first one was the exact correct width for the Plymouth with like zero offset wheels, the second is a couple inches narrower to allow bigger meats in the back with mini-tubs."

I don't know what the source of the first one was, but since I've still got it I can measure the width for you if you'd like. It's got big drum brakes and is plenty beefy enough for a big motor.

I had new spring perches/lowering blocks made and welded to it so it would bolt to the stock Plymouth springs - they're pretty narrow so keep that in mind.

And yes, the rear end is out of the car and is for sale if you want it. PM me and we can discuss...

 

My buddies '40 Plymouth G***er has a late '80's GM Mid size rear end with 3.42 gear and a spool. 10" wheels are a stretch but with this style car he just did some t*******. I'm sure a 8" wheel and normal tire it would work great.