What rear ends are you running? Early hot rods (A's, B's, similar)

I'm gathering parts for my A roadster and am looking at my options for rear ends. I'm curious what you guys are running and have experience with both good and bad.
I really like the idea of keeping things traditional and period correct for an early 50's hot rod.
Let's pretend you can't afford a quick change right now (I know I don't pretend too hard!) ... what rear end would you use if you were looking to cruise down the road at 70 in the 2000-2500 rpm range?

Makes? Years? Gear ratios?

I'm learning a lot of this as I go and appreciate your thoughts.

 

I'M running a 9 inch from a 77f 150. big bearing 31 spline big axle. 3.50 gears with a trac loc. My gas tank is in the trunk so it's quite visible from the rear. I'm running tall rear tires and it looks good and drives good. Although it's not the lightest rear end. Luckily I've got plenty of horse power to run it.

 

I have a 9" out of a '57 Ranchero.

It's a perfect width but I hope I never need to find brake drums. They're 1.75" wide and dished a little. Someone said they were "really early" 9" drums. I cou;dn't find any..

 

I am running a 8.875 BOP ( Buick,Olds,Pontiac ) out of a mid 60's in mine

 

hybrid 8" ford....with 9" truck ends. 2.79 gear, narrowed to 55" ....works well in my coupe

 

When I get to that point I will be using a Mopar 8.75. Tons of them out there. More than likely I'll use an 'A' body housing with 3.23 gears.

 

I've got a 1940 Banjo rear in my A.

 

I used a lot of 8" Mavericks in mine with 3.00:1 gears, you will need more gear to get up to your rpm range w/28" tire

 

I am running a '47 banjo, probably with 4:11s, with closed drive.



Cruises at 60 mph at 2400 rpm just fine.

 

I am running a Currie 9 inch in my 31' Coupe with a triangular 4 bar.

In My 32 roadster I have the same suspension with a 9 inch from John's Industries.

 

Kinda depends on the motor, V8 banjo is my first choice esp if it is going to be seen - ever show off a 9" ford? Hardly bragging rights there.

 

Unfortunately 8", 9" don't really fall in the "traditional early 50's" category.
A banjo is the way to go.
I run a 36 Ford banjo (no quickchange), closed driveline, works great.

 

1956 pontiac

 

60 at 2400, bet you have 3.78 gears.

 

Early Bronco under mine with Model A spring and perches welded on top.

 

With 7.50x16 rear tires?

 

Thats what i have 7.50 16 tires, 3.78 gears.

 

Not finished gathering all I need,but have a murray 4door, 51 merc flatty and a 46 open truck banjo.

 

Wow, I got to say I'm surprised that there aren't more Banjo rear ends mentioned... I didn't realize that the 9" appeared as early as 57. Thank you guys! Please, keep them coming.

Do you know what that rear end ratio is?

Took too long to type this... I have a 36 rear end with the 378 right now that I'm considering using... although an old racer was bending my ear about how great the 411 was if I could find one.

 

4.11 are probably the worst gears for the street, 3.78 work good but 3.54 are the ones everybody wants, but are harder to find.

 

I'm doing what I did 50+ years ago. I found a wrecked '50 Ford that had been sitting in a garage in south Minneapolis for over 30 years. I am using the engine (V8 of course), overdrive transmission, and rear end in my tub. I am looking for some 3.55 or 3.73 gears to use in place of the 4.11's though.

 

I have a 9" Ford with Strange axles and a Strange third member with a 3.00 gear. With 29" tires 2,000 rpm works out to right around 65 mph.

 

Mine is a 4:11

 

Unless you have the ever so traditional t-5.

 

Running a 31 banjo in my PU with a 3:27 gear in it. Works great.
Butch

 

55 Olds 3.4 in my 32...mainly because it has a early Olds rocket engine

 

i'm putting together a banjo for my 31 A pickup. i scored a 42-48 open drive center with 3:54 gears. 37-41 bells,spiders and axles. model A spring. frame is z'd and streched 7 3/8" to get axle back where it belongs.

 

I'm going to use my '49 Banjo on my '29 A Sedan. Not sure of ratio, but plan on a manual 5 speed in front of it.

 

I have a '39 Mercury banjo going into my '27 coupe. I like the large bolt pattern wheels so the front and rear axles both are going on my "T". I am planning on using the '39 transmission and an 8BA flathead. Before someone jumps in and yells at me about the torque tube being longer on the Mercury and not to cut it, I have a Ford tube and shaft that I am cutting. The Mercury one will go on the shelf as trading goods or future project pieces for a longer wheel base car.

 

Banjo all the way. Looks great. I think I have 3.78's.