My '35 Chrysler Airflow rear axle grenaded. I'm looking for a stock replacement but that's looking unlikely. I'm starting to think about slightly more modern alternatives but I know nothing about axle swaps. The axle is 52.5 backing plate to backing plate. Drums are about 3 inches deep so wheel mounting surface would be about 58.5. Gear ratio is 4.3:1 as this is an overdrive equipped car. I can tackle some fabrication but I have no idea about stuff like pinion length, U joint compatibility, etc. Oh, and the car has six lug axles. I'm thinking of abandoning the old wheels and going to 5 lug Craigers or something. Any suggestions on where to start, what axles to consider, etc?
Ford Ranger 7.5 or 8.8, second body style, I think 1992 ish, is 58-1/2" They come with 9 or 10-inch drum brakes. Some even had 4.10:1 gears, which is not all that far from 4.30:1.
Might be simpler to rebuild it.Do you belong to a group like Chrysler club of America? Im sure there are people in a group like that who can come up with parts,or a center section.
Yup, 1993-2009 Ranger. Sixteen years to choose from. Now, if you want to keep the stock wheels, the 1990-1992 Ranger axle is 56-1/2" wide, leaving you room for 1" wheel adapters.
If you want to stay with 6 lug wheels look into a Toyota p/u. One from a 4x4 might be in the neighborhood of 4.11 or there abouts.
If you want to stay with 6 lug wheels look into a Toyota p/u. One from a 4x4 might be in the neighborhood of 4.11 or there abouts.
I know where like 10 airflows are right down the road. Supposedly the guy even owns serial number 1. But I haven't verified. I know he's got parts cars. I could stop and ask him send me a PM if you're interested.
I believe that it is a different 6-lug pattern. Toyota is 6-on-5-1/2'. I think the Airflow was closer to 6-on-6", but my memory for early Chryslers is fuzzy.
Thanks for this. Don't go to any trouble yet. Something may have just popped up in Michigan (closer). Also - I'm new here and am not seeing the PM method.
Click on the user's name below their avatar. In the wndow that opens showing the member's information, click where it says "Start A Conversation" at the bottom. Then just fill in the blanks and click "send" or "reply" or whatever the ****on says to send your message.
True, but I am not so sure that it is the same as 1935 Plymouth Airflow. We would need a response from the OP, or I would need to call my customer that has one, and have him measure. These are not common enough that the info is all over the web.
Can you measure the distance between two opposite wheel bolts/studs, so we know the bolt circle? Something in the back of my mind says it this is 6-on-6-inches, but I am not sure that I am correct. If it is 6-on-5-1/2-inches then it is the common 6-lug size shared with a number of different brands, up into the current era.
As an aside, wasn't the Airflow the first car to use a hypoid gear differential, in order to get the driveshaft (and floor) lower?
@Brokenrinker , my Airflow friend says the axles are the weak link in the differential. You haven't described your problem, but if it is axles, I may have a source for reproduction axles. Send me a conversation, if axles is your need.
Try a mopar 8-3/4 from the medium body or A body. Yeah hard to get but a whole less lot other issues to figure out.
Thanks for this tip. He says it's for an Airstream as opposed to an Airflow but maybe they're compatible.
The Airflow club periodically has axles made, I think by Dana or something. They're really proud of them. My axles are OK. The ring gear is shot
I saw a complete, lots of rust, AirFlow for sale last week. Looked like all the grille & deco stuff was there and the car is full of hubcaps up to the windows. I don't think they wanted much money for it. Pretty neat car actually.
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