I've read that Ford 8.8's out of a Ranger or Explorer will work but they are about 1" wider then the stock shoebox rear. They should be easy to find. I've struggled to find the Mavrick ones around here.
Maverick works great. Ranger PU might have a better selection of gears and should also work ok. Plus a posi from a Ranger might be easier to find. We used an S 10 rear in a 49 coupe and surprizingly it has held up with a 350/4 speed combo, but I think the 8 inch Ford would be better.
Go to www.shoeboxford.com and search "rear axle" -- Mavericks and Granadas are mentioned, along with an ocasional Lincoln Versailles and a few Mopar candidates. Let us know what worked for you.
10-4 That's what I put in my 51 Vick. Even hooked my Stock E-Brake cable to the actuater arm, no problem. It's a natural. The Wizzard
put me third in line for that! the spring perches need to move a little though, but other than that it's an ultimate cruiser with some 3.00 gears!!!
Every 70s knob Ford mentioned so far in this thread are golden, a little perch moving aside. I have not heard about a ranger or explorer rear being a good fit until now. I would rather have a 9" or an 8" based on the fact that they are stronger than an 8.8 but those 8's and 9's mentioned are getting to be made of unobtainium. I will end up with a 9" in mine most likey non posi, somewhere around the high 3's because of my overdrive.
I put a Maverkick Rear in my 54. It was actually ~3/4 inches shorter trac than the stock. For as much crap as we have to put up with on a FoMoCo engine, Ford did some great interchangeabilty with other drivetrain components. We had to re-mount the spring perches for my app but for the most part it is a good fit. Heck, putting in the Maverick rear is how I got to stuff 8 inch rims back there on such a low skirted body car.
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