OK guys, I found a 77 Lincoln rear end with disk brakes unsure if it is a Versailles or other type of Lincoln. (not in car) the man on the phone said it was a 9" and want to know how to identify if it is or isn't this will be going in my 56 with 460 4 speed . found for 175$ but don't wanna waste my scratch if it isn't the real deal. Thanks Troy p.s i heard that there is a 9.25 or some oddball/Impostor rear end to be Leary about. any help is appreciated in advance.
The Lincoln Versailles rear will have pads for leaf springs, all of the big Lincoln rears that I have seen with disc brakes used coil springs.
If off something other than a Versaille, it's probably too wide for a 56 Ford. You would have to shorten it.
I have the Versailles under mine. If you have brakes like this, it's likely a Versailles. Also, measure the perches. They will be about 3/4 inch wider than stock. Keep in mind that this 9" will be geared way high and it's a peg leg so a new center is needed.
Ok, fellas great info! I postponed the sale of this rear it has coil springs, but i might have found the real deal in-town. i'll keep posted on this thanks guys again! Troy
The so-called 9 3/8 rear end came in the 60's Tbirds and Lincolns. The housing is the same, but has a notch in the top for clearance. A standard 9" center will bolt in place of the 9 3/8" rear. Just an FYI Also yblocker, the big Lincolns (not Versilles) and big Mercs/Fords carried a larger 5 by 5 bolt pattern, not the standard 4 1/2 by 5.
Keep in mind that the brake parts for the Versailles are very expensive. If you can find a 9'' out of a Granada it may save you a few bucks, and you could easily adapt disc brakes from a Ford Explorer.
Your correct about the 9'' center section bolting in place of the 9 3/8'' but the late 60's Tbird and big Lincoln rears are too long.
If possibly considering an 8.8 rear end, here are your widths: 1990-1992 Ford Ranger 8.8-Inch Axle - 56-1/2 inches 1993-2009 Ford Ranger 8.8-inch Axle - 58-1/2 inches 1991-2003 Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch Axle - 59-1/2 inches also....... Factory 8.8 Gears Available With Traction-Lok: 2.73, 3.08, 3.27, and 3.55:1 Most ’91–’01 Explorers have 8.8s and 31-spline axles.
I know some will hate this, I used the rear axle from a 97 Blazer in my 56. I think it's 4 inches narrower than the stock 56 making tires easy to change and has discs, pretty much a bolt in. I did have to do a few things to make it work but not much.
Hey guys, sounds like the 8.8 with 31 spine LS is what I'm going to do. Will it hold up to a stock 460?
I'd say yes it will. The weak link in an 8.8 is the axle. Think of all the 5.0 clutch drops done on those rears... a 460 with an auto would not abuse it that bad. If running a sticky tire and regular race abuse, weld the tubes to the center. They can twist in the housing. Do a bunch of research if you do this though. Personally, I prefer the 9" but getting tough to find the correct one, or pricey to cut down.
The Ranger & Explorer rear ends have an offset center section you can shorten them by about an additional 2 1/2" by using another short side axle and shortening the tube by the same amount. This series of videos show you how: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=explorer+8.8+rear+narrow+Pt.+1
what edsel58 said, the axle wont break unless you have a big tire that hooks, look into c-clip eliminators. If your looking for a race car rear end, stick with a 9'', bulletproof
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