I wanna do a rear end swap, What rear end will fit a 54 Mercury Monterrey ? Is there a new rear end that i can buy that will fit right up ?? i need some gears to make it freeway worthy, can someone gimme the best options... Thanks Mark
***uming you are running the original engine, the easiest swap for better hiway driving is to find a Ford or Mercury, 52-56, that came with an automatic. They had shallower gears than the stick trans cars. I'm not positive on all the years, but our 53 Merc came with 3.70's or optional 4.10's if you had a stick or a stick with overdrive. The same year, with a Merc-o-matic, came with a 3.45 or an optional 3.31 diff. I swapped the 4.10 out and used the 3.54 and it made a huge difference. That is the easiest swap. Now, if you have a bigger motor and you need a strong rear, I'm not 100% positive because it has been quite a few years, but my first car was 54 Monterey 2 door hardtop. The entire drivetrain was out of a wrecked 68 Mercury Cyclone. It was a 390, stick and I'm pretty sure it was a 9", not an 8". I was able to run 15x7" police interceptor wheels on it, but I had to deflate the tires to get them on, but it looked great (for 1986, that is). I hope this helps, good luck.
ford maverick seems to be the popular choice. early 60's falcon, mustang, comet, bronco. measure the stock one you have now wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface, should be around 57 inches. you'll have to move the leaf mounts also. whats the main reason for the swap? you could alway buy a new rear from currie or the like but will cost upwards of a grand.
Rear Axle Measurements MEASURED ACROSS WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE 56 1/2" 71-77 Ford Maverick 8", 57" 71-74 V-8 Mavericks 8", All '75-77 6's & 8's Maverick 5 Lug 8", 49-51 Ford, 57-59 Ford 9" 57 1/4" 64 1/2 - 65 Mustang 58" 78-88 Mid sized GM Car, Malibu/Monte Carlo (82 up Metric Studs), 80 Granada & Lincoln Versailles, 67-70 Mustang/Cougar/Fairlane, Regal with 10 bolt axle, S-10 P.U., 65-67 Nova 58 1/2 " Ford Grenada 59" 68-83 Corvette 60" 55-64 Chevy Car, 67-69 Camaro, 64-67 Chevelle, 68-74 Nova, 71-73 Mustang/Cougar, 84-95 Corvette 60-61" 64-69 1/2 ton 2wd Chevy/ Some GMC 6 lug rear end 12 bolt Coil spring set up Possible gear ratio's 3.70 62" 64-77 Chevelle, 73-76 Torino, 89 Trans Am, 70 2wd 6 lug rear end 12 bolt Possible gear ratio's 3:08, 3:40, 3:73 70-81 4wd 6 lug reared ............................................................... 71- Newer 2wd trucks use a 5 on 5 lug pattern 71-76 Full Size Cars " "" "" " 60" 60's GMC and some Chevy's Dana 44 or Dana 60 with leaf springs 6 lug, Gear ratio's 3.21 to 3.92. GMC V-6 used a 3.21 Dana 44 used a standard chevy 1310 yoke, Dana 60 used the heavy duty yoke which takes the larger 1350 yoke.
heres some more i got Year & Model Axle Length Notes 1965-1966 Mustang 57.25 inches 1967-1970 Mustang 59.25 inches 1971-1973 Mustang 61.25 inches 1977-1981 Versailles 58.50 inches 1967-1973 Mustang, Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane 59.25 inches to 61.25 1957-1959 Ranchero and station wagon 57.25 inches 1966-1977 Bronco 58 inches 1977-1981 Granada/Versailles 58 inches 1967-1971 Comet, Cougar, Mustang, Fairlane 59.25 inches 1971-1973 Mustang 61.25 inches 1964 Falcon 58 inches 1967 Cougar 60 inches 1967 Fairlane 63.50 inches coil springs 1972 Ford Van 3/4 ton 68 inches 1973-1986 Ford Van 3/4 ton 65.25 inches 1957-1959 Ranchero and station wagon 57.25 inches narrowest 9" housing 1966-1977 Bronco 58 inches 5-on-5 1/2 inch diameter bolt circle 1967-1973 Torinos, Rancheros, Fairlanes 59.25 inches or 61.25 inches 1967-1971 Comets, Cougars, Fairlanes 59.25 inches 1975 Mustang II 8" 57.00 inches 1974 Maverick 8" 56.50 inches
***uming that the 54 Merc is the same as the 54 Ford, direct bolt ins are 57-59 Ford (9inch) or 65-66 Mustang (8 inch, 9 inch if you are lucky enough to find one). The spring pads are the same. The V8 Maverick is a little narrower, don't know about the spring pads. I put a 57 rear in my 54 Ford, the only thing I had to do was stretch the rear springs about a 1/4 inch wider. It tuff to use any thing wider as it is hard enough to get wider tires to go into the wheel wells using the stock width rear.
cool this helps some guys !! the main reason for the swap is it revs sooo high on the freeway.... and im running a ford 302 motor...... i gotta measure... (and get some extra time and $$)
You must have a 4.10 in your Merc. I have a late model SBF in my 53 with a C-4 it seems to be fine with the stock rear end. My car was an merc-o-matic. With transmission are you running?
I have a 54 Mercury Sun valley I am putting a 5.7 fuel injected engine with automatic overdrive. My car was a automatic with higher gears I think in the lower 300 I need a lower gear ratio I think Yours would work great in mine Email me if You still have yours Thanks Wayne
89to 92 Ranger pick up is 56 5/8 wide. It is an 8.8. There are multiple gear sets available, both posi and regular. Have one in my 51 Meteor.
This is just the info I was looking for! I am looking to do the same thing on a 53'. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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