I have a 9" Ford truck rear end. I am not decided on any particular wheel yet but I was wondering what p***enger car axles and drums would be a direct swap to get the 5 x 4 1/2" bolt pattern? Axle length and drum diameter is what I question. Also, does anyone know the axle tube diameter for a 72ish truck rear? Will Ford spoke rims with the 5 x 5 1/2" pattern fit over a truck brake drum? I didn't think they would but I figured I'd ask.
The easy way is to redrill the 5 on 5.5 axles to the more common 5 on 4.5 pattern..... Most Ford pickup 9 inch axles that are 30 inches in length and that is a somewhat unusual length for the Ford cars.... Also the pickups use the large wheel bearing......and that eliminates a lot of the Ford car axles as donors.....without a funky wheel bearing swap....more $$$..... Or it's just less expensive and easier...to find a Ford car rear end with the pattern you want......
Axle tube is right at 3". What axle you use depends on what width your rear is and if its 28 or 31 spline. Your best bet is to drill the flanges and yes a 5 spoke ford wheel should get over your brake drum.
Some of the 9 inch axles are tricky to redrill because if the access holes they have in them, most of the time it will work but I have had to plug a hole from time to time.
Moser's good but, the shipping can run ya. I had mine drilled at small machine shop down in Santa Fe (TX). 5 bolt/4.75 pattern Drilling both of the axles:80 Drilling both of the drums:30 Total:110 Because the existing holes were too close to the new holes, they threaded the new holes instead of pressing in new studs (no extra charge). I did have to supply the new studs.
Hey, I need to have mine done. Can you tell me the name of that shop in Santa Fe? I am in Cleveland Texas and could get down there. Thanks.
H&H Machine (409) 925-0318 Monday through Friday. Right there on Hwy 6 by the old RR Depot building (forgot what kind of business is in that building). Small non-descript metal building. Good folks.
I helped research that a few years ago for the FTE site as guys using the M11 front wanted matching rear pattern. Basically you use mid 70's T Bird/Cougar right axles. Go to FTE and check out either stickies or tech archives, I forget where it got moved to. http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=41
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