1st question: I purchased the truck with no rear suspension if anyone knows where the rear axle center line on the chassis is and where to measure from, That would be greatly appreciated. The leaf spring /shock perchs are still on the truck, I plan on installing a 4 link. 2nd Question: What vehicles had a ford 9inch in it that will fit this truck with a 4.5"/ 5 lug without being shortened if possible? Or any other options that are common with these trucks? I've heard rear ends from mercury comet's / maverick's work? Chassis already has a hiedts ifs mustang kit up front. Thx!
57-72 F100 rears are pretty much a bolt in, but they've got the 5X5 1/2 pattern. There's a pretty good thread on this: http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...F1_and_F100_Rear_Axle_differential_Swaps.html
The holes for the rear bumpstops should be your rear axle centerline. My sons' 52 has a 9" supposedly out of a Mustang but I don't know what year, I put a mid 70's car 9" under my 51 panel and it has good wheel clearance. You may just have to measure the width and watch the backspacing on your wheels.
I just 4-linked my 51 ford f-1 last week, the hole in the frame on the bottom side were the bump stop bolts up is the center point to measure the wheel base. The wheel base should measure 114" inches from center to center I Z'd my rear chassis 8" to let the truck sit really low but I had a pair of 7" coil over rear shocks and they were really to tall to use on my truck but they were what I had. You could get by with just doing a c-notch but it will need at least 4" for it to sit right lowered at ride height
The Jalopy Journal
