I just came across this, maybe some one else has already posted it but if so I couldn't find it, so enjoy http://www.quickperformance.com/Technical Info/sus_measure.htm
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="94%"><CENTER>Suspension Measurements </CENTER><CENTER>Information provided by: Joe Garcia The Resto Rod Shop </CENTER>REAR SUSPENSION: [SIZE=+1]The following is a general list of rear ends and their dimensions to help narrow the search for a possible candidate to replace the torque tube rear end or just get a better set of gears for highway driving.[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]Advance Design Trucks seem to be using rear ends with widths ranging from 58"- 62". I'm not sure of the Task Force width ranges at this time.[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]Contributing information were Bob Welch, J Forbes and various locations throughout the Web and Automotive Magazines.[/SIZE] Rear Axle Measurements <CENTER>[SIZE=+1]MEASURED ACROSS WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE[/SIZE] </CENTER>56 1/2" 71-77 Ford Maverick 8", 57" 71-74 V-8 Mavericks 8", All '75-77 6's & 8's Maverick 5 Lug 8", 49-51 Ford, 57-59 Ford 9" 57 1/4" 64 1/2 - 65 Mustang 58" 78-88 Mid sized GM Car, Malibu/Monte Carlo (82 up Metric Studs), 80 Granada & Lincoln Versailles, 67-70 Mustang/Cougar/Fairlane, Regal with 10 bolt axle, S-10 P.U., 65-67 Nova 58 1/2 " Ford Grenada 59" 68-83 Corvette 60" 55-64 Chevy Car, 67-69 Camaro, 64-67 Chevelle, 68-74 Nova, 71-73 Mustang/Cougar, 84-95 Corvette 60-61" 64-69 1/2 ton 2wd Chevy/ Some GMC 6 lug rear end 12 bolt Coil spring set up Possible gear ratio's 3.70 62" 64-77 Chevelle, 73-76 Torino, 89 Trans Am, 70 2wd 6 lug rear end 12 bolt Possible gear ratio's 3:08, 3:40, 3:73 70-81 4wd 6 lug reared ............................................................... 71- Newer 2wd trucks use a 5 on 5 lug pattern 71-76 Full Size Cars " "" "" " 60" 60's GMC and some Chevy's Dana 44 or Dana 60 with leaf springs 6 lug, Gear ratio's 3.21 to 3.92. GMC V-6 used a 3.21 Dana 44 used a standard chevy 1310 yoke, Dana 60 used the heavy duty yoke which takes the larger 1350 yoke. [SIZE=+1]Approximate rear end widths measured from backing plate to backing plate.[/SIZE] Add Width to compensate for drums as follows: 4" - 5" for small cars 5" - 6" for intermediate cars 6" - 8" for large cars<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border=1 cellSpacing=0 borderColor=#111111 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>48" - 49" </TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>50" - 51" </TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>52" - 53"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>'71 Colt '72 Cricket '72-75 Datsun Pickup '72-73 Mazda </TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>'65 Ram American '74 Valiant </TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>'28-40 Ford , '57 - 59 Ford '62 Buick Skylark, '67 Chevrolet Six '67 Mustang Six , '68 AMX '69 Javelin Six , '70 dodge '70 Duster , '71-77 Maverick '71 Comet , '71- 72 Pinto</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>54" -55"</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>56" -57"</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>58" - 59"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>'39 -48 Chevrolet, '68 GTO '41 -48 Ford, '68-72 Chevelle '55 -57 Chevrolet, 68-69 Fair lane 6 or 8 '66 Falcon, '69 Chevrolet '67 Mustang V-8, '69 Firebird '69 Cougar, '71 -73 Nova '73 Ventura, '73 Mustang</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>'36 Plymouth, '54-56 Ford Pickup '67 Lincoln, '69 Dodge '69 Dodge Van, '71 Torino '72 Cougar, '74 Pontiac</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>'49 Plymouth, '61 Chevrolet Impala '65 Cadillac, '66 Buick Wildcat '66-67 Chevrolet Big Car, '72 Charger '69 Oldsmobile 88, '72 Chrysler '72-73 Torino</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=+1]STOCK CENTER TO CENTER SPRING PERCH DISTANCE[/SIZE]<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border=1 cellSpacing=0 borderColor=#111111 cellPadding=0 width="100%" height=347><TBODY><TR><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>25"</TD><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>39"</TD><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>42"</TD><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>42 ½"</TD></TR><TR><TD height=76 width="25%" align=middle>'68 - 72 Chevelle</TD><TD height=76 width="25%" align=middle>'71 Colt '73 Mazda</TD><TD height=76 width="25%" align=middle>'68 -71 Fairlane/Torino '49-51 Ford</TD><TD height=76 width="25%" align=middle>'69 Chevrolet '69 Nova '71 - 72 Pinto '73 Ventura</TD></TR><TR><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>43"</TD><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>43 ½"</TD><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>44"</TD><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>46 ¼"</TD></TR><TR><TD height=133 width="25%" align=middle>'65 Ram American '64 1/2-'65 Mustang '67 Mustang '70's Ford Grenada '69 Firebird '70 Dodge</TD><TD height=133 width="25%" align=middle>'71-77 Maverick '70 Duster '70 Nova '71 Comet '72 Dart '72 Cougar '74 Valiant</TD><TD height=133 width="25%" align=middle>'57 Ford '67 Chevrolet Six '68 AMX '69 Javelin Six</TD><TD height=133 width="25%" align=middle>'69 Dodge</TD></TR><TR><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>47 ½"</TD><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>48"</TD><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>51"</TD><TD height=19 width="25%" align=middle>57 ½"</TD></TR><TR><TD height=76 width="25%" align=middle>'39 -48 Chevrolet '67 Chevrolet big car '72 Charger '72 Chrysler</TD><TD height=76 width="25%" align=middle>'69 Dodge Van </TD><TD height=76 width="25%" align=middle>'69 Ford Van</TD><TD height=76 width="25%" align=middle>'67 Lincoln </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=+1]Original Vehicles Rear Suspension Width (Flange to Flange)[/SIZE]<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border=1 cellSpacing=0 borderColor=#111111 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>Year</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Classic Vehicles</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>Width</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>26-39</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Plymouth-Dodge car/pick up</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>56-58"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>40-52</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Plymouth-Dodge car</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>60-62"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>29-39</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Chrysler / DeSoto Car</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>60"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>Most Early</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Mopar's</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>56-62"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>25-39</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Chevy Car</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>56-58"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>26-46</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Chevy Truck</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>58-58"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>40-48</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Chevy Car</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>58-60"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>49-54</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Chevy Car</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>58-60"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>47-54 & 55 1st Series</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Chevy Truck</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>60-62"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>Most Early</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Buick, Olds, Pontiac</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>58-61"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>28-31</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Ford Car / Pickup</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>57 ½"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>32 & 33-34</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Ford Car / Pickup</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>56 ½"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>34-48</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Ford Car</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>57-60"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>35-41</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Ford Pickup</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>56-60"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>49-58</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Ford Car</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>57-58"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>49-56</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Mercury</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>57-58"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>49-51</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Mercury</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>61"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>64</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Falcon</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>58"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>67</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Cougar</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>60"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="33%" align=middle>55-59</TD><TD width="33%" align=middle>Chevy Pickup</TD><TD width="34%" align=middle>62"</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=+1]Donor Vehicles Front and Rear Suspension Width (Flange to Flange)[/SIZE]<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border=1 cellSpacing=0 borderColor=#111111 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>Year</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Classic Vehicles</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Width Front</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Width Rear</TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>74-79</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Ford Mustang II/Pinto & Mercury Capri/Bobcat </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>55 ½" </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>55 ½"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>71-77</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Ford Maverick with 8" axle </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>56 ½" </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>75-80</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Ford Granada with 8" axle </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>57 ½"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>64-66</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Mustang </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>57"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>67-71</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Mustang </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>59"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>72-73</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Mustang </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>60"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>67-69 & 60"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Camaro</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>60"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>64-67</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Chevelle</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>60"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>55-64</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Chevy car</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>60"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>65-67</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Nova </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>58"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>68-72</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Nova </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>60"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>60"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>78 & up</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Monte Carlo, Regal, etc. with 10 bolt axle</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>58"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>58"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>68-72</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Chevelle with 10 bolt axle </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>61 ½" </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>89</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Trans AM (Disc brake) </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>62"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>76-80</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Camaro / Firebird </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>61 ½" </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>60 ½" </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>68-83</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Corvette </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>58 ½" </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>59 ½"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>84-95</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Corvette </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>59 ½" </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>60 ½" </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>Early 70's</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> "A" body (Dart/Duster) with V8&3/4 axle </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>58"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>"E" Body (Cuda) with V8&3/4 axle </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>58"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Dodge Dart </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>59"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>55 ½"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Plymouth Volare & Dodge Aspen </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>61"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>60 ½" </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>71</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Blazer (6 lug) </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>63 ¾"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>75-78</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Granada 9" </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>(43" perch to perch) </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>52 ¼"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>75-78</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Maverick 9" </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>(43" perch to perch) </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>56 ¼"</TD></TR><TR><TD width="25%" align=middle>81-87</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>Olds Cutlass </TD><TD width="25%" align=middle>58 ½"</TD><TD width="25%" align=middle> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><HR></TD><TD width="3%"></TD></TR><TR><TD width="3%"> </TD><TD width="94%">FRONT SUSPENSION INFORMATION Track Width of Popular Donor Car Clips<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border=1 cellSpacing=0 borderColor=#111111 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Manufacture</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Model</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Years</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Track Front/Rear</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Curb Weight</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Chevrolet</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Nova</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>68-74</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>59.8-59.6</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,770</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Buick</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Apollo</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>68-74</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>59.1-58.8</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,760</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Pontiac</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>GTO</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>68-74</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>59.9-59.6</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,880</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Chevrolet</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Corvette</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>68-83</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>58.7-59.5</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,655</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle> </TD><TD width="20%" align=middle> </TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>84-95</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>59.6-60.4</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,890</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Chevrolet</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Camaro (Z28)</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>76-80</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>61.3-60.5</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,820</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Pontiac</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Firebird (TA)</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>76-80</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>61.3-60.5</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,900</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Ford</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Mustang II</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>74-79</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>55.6-55.8</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,305</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle> </TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Pinto</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>74-79</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>55.6-55.8</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,305</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Mercury</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Capri</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>74-79</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>55.6-55.8</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,305</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle> </TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Bobcat</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>74-79</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>55.6-55.8</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,305</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Chevrolet</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Monte Carlo</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>78-86</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>58.5-58.8</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,235</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Buick</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Century</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>78-86</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>59.0-58.8</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,700</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Pontiac</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Grand Prix</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>78-86</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>58.9-59.0</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,735</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Plymouth</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Volare</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>75-79</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>61.0-60.5</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,395</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Dodge</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Aspen</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>75-79</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>61.0-60.5</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,395</TD></TR><TR><TD width="20%" align=middle>Dodge</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>Dart</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>76</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>59.2-55.6</TD><TD width="20%" align=middle>3,600</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
thanks for posting this.........i had cobbled together some of these possibilities, but yours is way better.
Just to clarify, the wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface of a stock 1940 Ford car rear is 59 1/2 in.
where on the backing plate are you measuring ? backing plates are NOT flat ! a lot of morons come to me with thier backing plate to backing plate measurements to make up a rear end !i tell them what about brakes ? and then they say , duh ! i dont know ! this method of measuring gives a false reading ! i think theres too many lazy asses out there !
The Jalopy Journal
