Has anyone tried using a rear end assembly from a Ford Explorer under an older car? I'm getting together parts to build a 1940 Chevy sedan and the Explorer rear end is the perfect width , it even has disc brakes and posi. The problem I see is the pinion yoke is about 2 1/2" offset to the right. In the Explorer they set the engine and transmission off to the right to gain steering clearence. Will the driveshaft being angled slightly cause any problems? Thanks, aaggie.
I used one in my 1951 F1. I have a small amount of shift to gain steering box clearance. In all As long as the engine/trans are parallel with the rear the U-Joints should work fine.
No. This is common, even in factor built cars. So long as everything is square and the angle is slight, you'll be just fine, just watch tour tunnel clearance.
I have one in my 55 Chevy. The angle doesn't effect it in any way except when I have a couple fat asses in the back seat and hit a nice size bump the pinion hits the tunnel ever so slightly. I've heard of some guys getting 2 rear ends and swapping one of the axle tubes, I don't remeber which side, to get the pinion centered.
I have one in my NON-HAMB '88 Jeep Wrangler. It's a very popular swap for the weak Dana35 rear in 87+ Wranglers. The 8.8 is a strong rear axle, I've got 35" tires and a lockrite "lunchbox locker" in it. Works great. As was said, so long as your angle at the rear axle ujoint and the trans ujoint are equal -- up and down and side to side -- you should be fine. Good luck, Pete
I have one in my 56 chevy. No issues. Remember your driveshaft is already angled down slightly, right? The u-joints don't care which way the angle is. A little misalignment in some direction is good for ujoints, it keeps them lubed.
Uglydog is right ,a little misalignment keeps the roller bearings in the u-joint moving ,thus lubing them.
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