I'm looking for some help for replacing my rearend in my 1939 ford 2dr sedan standard. I'm looking to replace my original banjo rearend with a 8 inch or 9 inch rearend. I want to keep the rear spring but add shocks and use a ladder bar set up while dropping the rear of the car a few inches. I was wondering if there was anyone out there who could suggest the perfect width rearend to use and what parts i would need to do this with. thanks for any suggestions.
TFAL, i used an 8 inch out of a 75 Granada. the width is just about perfect. If you wanted to go 9 inch just get one out of a same year Lincoln Verailles same width but has disc brakes. I used Ch***is Engineering rear parralel leafs , but if you want use the 39 spring get the ladder bar set up from PETE and JAKES. I have heard good things about it and it looks damn easy to set-up. With the 8 inch , I am running 15 x 7 rims with a 3 3/8 back space and 235 75 -15s. (I know , radials are for sissys) This puts my tires right inside the fender lip. The only thing I would have done different and I will is go with 3:00 cogs instead of the 3:55's I got now, it 'd be nicer on the high-way. Mike
i have used the Pete & Jakes ladder bar rear end setup in a `40 Ford coupe with an 8" Granada rear end and stock rear spring. it was a lot of work getting the spring hangers/shock mounts/ ladder bar axle brackets and ladder bar crossmember all set correctly for welding on a car with the body still on the frame....but all worked fine when done. if the body was off the frame it would have been easier . a Ch***is Engineering parallel leaf kit is easier yet
Hey tfalcon, did you buy if from the guy on CL? I've got a 37 2dr deluxe and was watching that 39. Good luck. BTW, does it have a v8-60 or 85? If its an 85 and your looking to unload it, let me know.
I deffinetly want a quick and easy way of doing the rear end. i was thinking about doing Coil over shocks also. Im looking for an easy way of doing the rear end the car is not running and im doing a complete fram off rebuild. If anyone cant tell me the best way to do this and have a awesome ride and greaty stance please let me know. Im up for anything. I dont even have to do the ladder bars i can do the four link if needed. Im looking to get this done real soon so i can get the project started so i can then work on the front end.
I also have the P&J ladder bars and a Granada 8". Installed 20 years ago with Spax coilovers on a 40 Ford. The only issue I have with the ladder bars is that it is very limiting on exhaust setup.
that would be a Ch***is Engineering parallel leaf kit. i've used many of them with a decent ride. just add some lowering blocks to get the ride height you want. this is how the car in my avatar is set up.
My dad builds many 40 fords. He always uses ch***is engineering rear parellel leafs with a 1957-1959 ford 9 inch or a granada 8 inch. Very easy bolt in kit with no welding required. Do it in a day.
I'm not positive- so don't quote me on this but...I thought the first couple years of the Mustang were supposed to be about the right width and had a 9" axle as an option. Jay
My 39 has a 9" early Bronco. Perfect width and I wanted 5 1/2" bolt circle wheels. Ch***is Engr parallel leafs.
Early (65-66) V8 Mustangs had eight inch rear ends, except (maybe) K-code 271 hp 289s, which got were supposed to have the nine-inch. They are about 57.5 wide, which is just about identical to the '57-'59 Ford p***enger car nine-inch unit. Slightly later Mustangs (67-70) are about an two inches wider; if you are willing to find the right backspacing for your wheels, they will work also. In fact, I ran one under my coupe for some years. The big bodied Mustangs (71-73) are wider yet, and probably not the best idea.
thanks all for the suggestions i got a bronco 9 inch with strange axles new brakes and a 3.25 posi for a great price of 400.00