Hi all! relatively new to the hamb, and I find lots of useful info on here. I was wondering if any one could tell me what rear ends were in 55 ford wagons, also I would like to know if rear gears are still available and where I could find these parts.
OK,I have heard before that the 52-56 Fords use a Dana 44(I have a '54) so I Googled Dana 44 and it shows all kinds of info for Jeeps?? and they don't look anything my cars rear Care to shed some furher info? It would be great if they shared the same rear as the Jeeps have posi available and stronger axle options too.
The rear ends in 55 ford station wagons are the same as the ones in 53 to 56 trucks. They dont have removable center sections or pumpkins as they are commonly called.The p***enger cars are different. We have a55 ford 2 dr wagon and i noticed that the rear was different so i checked and found out. As was mentioned earlier a 57 to 59 9 inch will bolt in. OldWolf
The studebaker avanti guys like the dana 44s from those wagons as they bolt in and have flanged axles unlike the avantis that have the rear axles and drums with the big nut like the old mopars so dont throw it out if you change it. I had the dana 44 from a friends 56 parklane and a avanti nut got it for his. Jeff
Really, When was the last time you saw a '57~'59 Ford wagon just sitting around that was messed up enough that you would yank the rear out & not take the whole car ? Unless you have some Monster engine that Requires a 9", Look into Granada/Mavrick 8" rearends. My daughter bought a '55 that has an 8" and the guy said it came from a Granada.. Bolts right in as long as you use the factory rubber insulators from the Granada
The Dana 44 came in lots of applications from '49-56 F1/F100's to Jeeps,Scouts, Chevy pick-ups with limited slips, Studebakers, Ford wagons (49-56), Mercurys, street sweepers, Jaguars, Corvettes &Camaros. Check with a Dana ****er distributor for your needs but get the bill of materials number stamped into the axle tube before you bother him.
Thanks for the info, I would like to have the 9 inch but it sounds like the 8 inch will be easier to get, so that's what i will probably go with.
I would wait and find a 9 inch ... vastly better selection of parts and gear ratios but the MAIN reason is the axle bearings. All 8 inch Fords use the small axle bearing and FORD always installed the large bearings in their 57 to 59 Ford station wagons ... Because of the added weight of the station wagon.
last 20 57'-59' fords i looked at were 99% complete but that last 1% seemed to always be the rearend. small lincoln versilles will work and has disc brakes. check bolt pattern as the had 2 different ones.
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