my 87 mustang donor is donating its 302/t5 to my 52 f1. someone suggested i should also donate its rear end while im at it. anyone have any opinions on this if it is even possible? i would think it would be too narrow. also , anyone know ratio for the stock f1 rear?
I have no idea how wide the Mustang rear end you have is ... But a stock 57 to early 60's F-100 9 inch rear end is almost a direct bolt in ... to a 52 F-1. Most stock early 50's era F-1's were geared @ 4.11 or lower.
You need a rearend about 60-61 inches wide for the rear of your F1. Just measure your mustang and see whether it is that range. Or measure your stock rearend and compare.
The rear end ratio was stamped on the I D plate attached with screws to the inside of the glove box door. If that is gone you can get an estimate by counting how many rotations the pinion turns to get one rotation of the wheel. It will likely be 3.91 to 1 or 4.27 to 1. Stock rear was a Dana 44. The 87 Mustang rear even if it is wide enough is still a four lug bolt pattern. Best solution is as already suggested, get a rear out of a later F100. It practically bolts in, the spring pads are a bit wider and I had to adjust the pinion angle. I got one out of a 68 F100 long bed. Mine is 3.50 to 1 but some may be as low as 4.11 to1.
The Mustang rearend also has a different wheel bolt pattern than the F1, whereas a Ford pickup rearend will have the same bolt pattern.
Go with the 1957-1972 Ford pickup rear. It has the 5 1/2 bolt pattern and is a bolt in. The shock mounts on the rear will even work. The E bake cable from the truck will work with this rear also. You will have to shorten the drive shaft.
thanks for all the help guys. i was planning on running the stock rear end for now. just wanna get the sum'***** on the road. i guess ill keep an eye out for some late model rears.
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