1952-59 Ford Rear Axle Question

Has anyone tried using a Mustang or Ranger 58.5" width 8.8 rear end in their 55/56? If so what modifications did you have to make? What wheels and offset did you run?

 

I think JeffB just put something in the sticky about that.

FWIW I'm putting an Explorer 8.8 in my '54. I had to narrow it but it was no big deal.

 

Yeah I was hoping to avoid narrowing the rear end. But I guess if I have to I have to.

 

Look in the last page here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&discussionid=18186&pp=20&page=7 It is all the way on the bottom

 

Yeah like I said I was hoping to avoid narrowing one. Thanks for the link

 

There are folks that used the earlier 8.8 (56.5 wide) the way it is.Ranger drive shafts run at a slight angle in stock form anyway.

 

i have a ranger 7.5 in mine. not sure the width its out of a early ranger. it was in there when i bought it. they just moved the spring pads from the top to bottom and removed the shock mounts. just used original spring plates with the shock mounts in them. im running police 15x7s on the back of my car with 225/70/15s.

 

My 55 has a rear from a 1990 Super Cab 4x4. Its 56 5/8 wide, came with a 3.73 traction loc, and fit with no machine work. I cut the mounts off the top and welded new ones on the bottom. That heat warped the housing. To straighten it, I ran two beads around the top opposite where I welded on the bottom. Shortly after 1990, I dont remember when, the trucks got wider. Measure twice, buy once. Also, the 7.5 has a much smaller brake package. The good news is, the backing plates and drums exchange on all the housings. I use stock size and backspace wheels with 225-70/15 tires. The car can be seen today, 3/15/14 at http://www.wheelsaday.com/

 

I have an 8.8 from a 1992 Ranger 4x4, open drive with 3.27 gears. It is 56 1/2" wide and should fit nicely. Cost was $135 at pick-a-part. I will relocate the pads and should have it installed by mid-June. I will update you when I get it in. BTW... I had 3.50 gears in my '52 Merc with a Saginaw 4-speed and was always searching for another gear. I went down to 3.00 but that wasn't quite enough gear. I believe the 3.27 with my 302/T-5 will be just about right since I just cruise.

 

Check out this picture,an 8.8 in a '54 Ford.

 

I would need to see a better photo but the mounting looks horrible from what I see.

 

That rear cover will be very close to the fuel tank. It may have to go. My housing looked like that, I used a torch and grinder to remove the pads on top, and welded the new pads on the bottom. Before you ****on it up, check the housing for warpage from the welding heat. Its easy to do, and its easy to fix now.

 

Here is a pic of the full frame