Technical HOT ROD REAR DIFFERENTIAL

My 55 still has it's original rear axle. With running slicks it has held up quite well. However, it has been beefed up a bit. Moser axle shafts, bearing cap plates, ARP ring gear bolts, (same bolts as a 12 bolt or 57 - 64 Pontiac / Olds), and solidly welded spring perches. It also has a 1963 "P" case center section, a NOS posi unit with a NOS 4:88 Schiefer ring and pinion.

All of these parts are easily obtained. New posi units and gears are available. However, I should have used an open rear center section and modified it for a posi. The open cases are stronger than the "P" cases.

As far as S-10 rear axles...My daily driver is an O.T. 1984 S-10 that I plan to swap a 57 Chevy rear axle into. Then I'll have a much stronger axle with a positraction.

Glory Days 2020 John Clothier vs Chuck Clothier - YouTube

 

Not all 8.8 Ford axles are equal! Many of the earlier axles are the same differential, but have weaker 28 spline axles. Fine for medium HP cars, but the later 31 spline 8.8" posis are much stouter axles and handle far more HP.
I use the data found at the "Ranger Station" for 8.8 axle references.
https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-8-8-inch-rear-axle-history-and-specs/

 

Lolol!!!!!

 

Yes, same basic rearend 55-64 as far as the center section and axle splines. 55-57 have leaf spring mount pads, 58-64 use 3 or 4 link control arm with coil springs. So the 58-64 require more stuff to be removed for most traditional swap applications.

 

Oh yes, I think all Rangers are 28 spline. But a 28 spline axle won’t be hurt by an average street engine. Well, disclaimer, some can break an anvil

 

I go with what's cheap to free. 57 to 59 nine inches have been in that range. Explorer and S10 rear require pick n pull trips. I guess cleaner than traipsing through someone's back 40, but not as fun, and Beer is not a useable currency. M newly free 2000 Sonoma XLS stepside has a 3.42 Posi with sport suspension for those of you seeking sources and 4x4s are scarce, look to these little wheelbarrow trucks.

 

Yes they did. 60.2 came stock in my '65 F100. 3.54 gear and limited slip with 31 spline axles. It'll last longer than I will, I reckon!

 

If you can see the axle under your car, it is not low enough.

 

58 Olds 9.3" rear with 4:10 gears under my 36 Chevy coupe former g***er. When I got the car it had welded spider gears and a 5:36 ratio ring & pinion.

 

@gimpyshotrods or it's a lakes modified.

 

In that case, it should have a quick change rear end.

 

@studebakerjoe Or, bent over, short skirted.

 

Somebody say quick change?

 

Quick change?
Nah, never heard of her.

 

I'm running an 8.8 from a Ranger and haven't hurt it yet. To make it look a little better, I got a rear cover from a '02 Explorer with IRS and trimmed the mounting ears off. I think it looks pretty good.


Gary

 

I know your build, really dig it!

 

I've put 90,000 miles on my coupe in the last 12 years. The rear axle is easily visible standing behind the car, no gas tank or anything else blocking the view of it.

I get lots of comments about the car, never remember hearing even one about the rear axle. Its pretty generic, nothing special. Pretty strange by the way some guys are talking.

Maybe, in the over all picture of things, the rear end usually isn't so important, as long as it functions.

 

That just about sums it up. Paint it black, stick it under there, and get on with it.......

 

Lots of different types of car guys out there. Some ooh and ahh over a shiny paint job, some go around a car and notice all of the little details....im the latter. The rear wouldnt be the first thing id notice but i would notice. Doesnt make it a pos rod....just one of the many details that do add up to cool factor points

 

Yes, black....flat black and it will all but disappear.

Lynn

 

8.8 info here...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/8-8-rear-end-for-a-hotrod-info.1203372/

 

No, all Rangers are not 28 spline. Early 2WD are, but 4WD are 31 spline. And I believe later Rangers are all 31 spline, but not positive. Explorers are all 31 spline, and much more plentiful in junkyards.

 

I better go hit the junkyard and grab one of those too! That does look really good!

 

Explorers have larger dia.tubes also.another thing to think about

 

My daily driver and parts hauler is an'01 Ranger. Guys look under it at shows, smirk, and nod, "Veeery trad."
I guess I just picked the right year. Might even sell all my banjo rears and HR projects now. I'm in!

 

That does look good.

 

Later later Rangers don't have an 8.8.

 

What's "later"? They are building them again.

 

Maybe I missed it being mentioned, but there's also the Ford 8 inch. Same basic (excellent) design as the 9 inch, but a fair bit lighter.

The one behind my 351 is doing just fine.

 

I agree, 8" Fords are probably looked down upon for no good reason. There are cut-to-fit axles available if you need to narrow one too. Stock 8" axles can't be cut and re-splined because they're "necked down" outboard of the splines, but cut-to-fit axles (Yukon, I believe) are available with really long splines, like 10"-12" if I recall correctly. That eliminates the cost issue of buying really pricy aftermarket racing quality axles to narrow one. Granted, gear ratio selection for the 8" isn't as extensive as 9" Fords, but plenty of gears that are appropriate or likely to be used on the street are out there.

Lynn