Just about to mount the transverse spring on my 9" from a 69ish Ford pickup when we realized the center section is not centered. One axle tube is longer than the other. So, what would be a better way to go? Should I just track down a short side axle and have the longer side shortened so they are equal length? Or, how much would it cost to get something like that done? Or is there a rear end in another Ford that had the center centered? I figured the offset on a truck was so the same rear could be used under a 4wd chassis and have better alignment with a transfer case, but I'm just guessing.
I've heard they did that to keep the bearings in the u-joint moving all the time in a flat driviline. besides the output on the t-case of a 4wd is centered.
How much off centered? Like a 1/2 inch or three or four? If it is a 1/2 inch, you can narrow your housing and cut 1/2 inch of the axle spline and be set. If it is like 3 or 4 inches, you will have to narrow teh housing and buy a new custom axle or find a shorter axle. Why a custom axle, you say?? Most 9in Ford axles are 28 spline, which taper towards teh end. If you cut off 3 or 4 inches, the new splines would have to go right where the taper is and would be too small to spline. If you have 31 spline axles (which is possible, just not real likely) you can narrow and respline with no problem. Or...there are some 9in housings that are centered but finding one that is the width you need may or may not be easier than having one side of your existing set up narrowed. Good luck, -Abone.
Its like 2 or 3 inches. I can't remember the exact numbers off the top of my head. They are 31 spline axles. Its going in an rpu so I am pretty flexible on the width. I think I'll just find another short side axle and have the longer side shortened to match. Wouldn't have to track down, cut out, or modify anything else. I already have the spring saddles cut off and tube smoothed. Any ideas how much something like that would cost? I plan to make some calls in the morning.
One axle is longer than the other to center your pinion. Check from backing plate to pinion and I think you will find it in the center. Am I wrong??
Yeah, the geometry is good so no worries there. Its strictly for looks since the rearend is in full view.
I've got a non-centered 8" Ford rear end in a Lakes Roadster with a Model A rear crossmember and spring. Everytime I look at it from the rear, the fact that the carrier is not centered in the crossmember bothers me. Do what you have to do to make it look right.
not always .on allot of 4x4s the t-case is offset ,to make room for the front drive shaft to clear the trans.fords have front driveshafts on the drivers side older chevys and dodges on the passenger side.same with jeeps cj-7s have passenger side front shafts yj-tj-xj have drivers side.and there rear axles are offset in the same way..
good point. let the driveshaft be crooked but the lump off center is hideous actually the lump is probably centered now but the pinion is offset to get to the ring gear!
If you are sure the axle is 31 spline, you can send it and the housing to Mosher Engineering in Illinois. They do kick ass work. Last housing and axles I sent was 85 to cut and respline both axles and 60 for the housing. But, if you are only doing one side, you can probally get your local race shop to cut the housing and just about any decent machine shop can do the axle. Good luck, -Abone.
All the later truck rears from about '67 and on had non centered pinions that will have equal length axles, I believe that Ford did it as a cost saving measure. On a centered pinion rear end, the left axle will be 4" shorter than the right axle. A favorite trick of mine is to get a non centered pinion rear end like the one you have, and shorten the left side axle 4". It will give you a give you a centered pinion rear end that will measure 57 1/2" wide. I have never seen a non centered pinion 8" rearend, and I am sure the one mentioned in the post above is a centered pinion 8", but the un equal length axles will make it appear non centered. Centered pinion rear ends will come in leaf spring equipped cars like Mustangs,Fairlanes, Rancheros and Torinos.
See, I thought both axles were the same length when I had them out standing on end. Is it true Rancheros have 5 x 5 1/2" like a truck? If so, what years because I doubt the Falcon based Rancheros had that bolt pattern.
So, the carrier is centered in the housing making the axles the same length, but the pinion being offset in the dropout is the "offset" part? I would leave it alone if that is what you have. I had one of the centered rears out of a versaille (I think) that had different length axles but narrow for a camaro I was building. Since there is no tunnel to worry about I would let the d-shaft take the angle. my .02
Keep us informed what you find out Frank. Im having similar issues with mine right now. The guy who welded my 4-link brackets on for me got them off centered by about 3/4 of an inch(as best as i can tell). So instead of ordering another 4link barcket and cutting mine off, thought I might bring the longer shortened. FLAMEDABONE-Do the 31 spline axles not have shaft taper?? Thanks guys!! Makes me relax a little bit to know others hit the same bumps in thier projects as I do. Guess mine wont go to the scrap bin yet!!
31 splines shouldn't have any taper. Depending on how your 4 link was setup, it may be better for you to just chop them off and start anew. If you're doing a triangulated system, you can get a truss from www.bluetorchfab.com, if you're doing a parallel setup with a panhard, any circle track shop will have those brackets pre-cut for you. I've bought brackets and tabs from http://www.aa-mfg.com/ Frank - you can call up Sunray out in Weatherford for any 9" work you might want done, custom housing, setups, link systems, axles and more. www.sunrayengineering.com
I was going to stay out of this ... BUT the axle shafts are the same length on those pickups. Rancheros do not have the 5 on 5.5 pattern.
The Jalopy Journal
