Rear Axle help..

Ok so Ive been working on my pops 58 ford fairlane... well someone over the years I think swapped out the 9" for a early model like 50 or 51 axle... So here is my delima... It has a bent axle shaft and is hard to find parts for and the diff is very worn... So It has a 57.25" Hub face dimension... Im wanting to get something narrower than this down to about 55.5 or 56" cause I have to pull the shocks to get the wheels off now and a inch or so would help this out alot...

Suggestions?

Orig thoughts is get a 9" narrowed down for this...

 

I beleive the narrowest factory 9" is the 57-58 wagon at 57 inches. Another option is to use a Maverick 8" they are 56".

 

The Maverick rear would work but is probably harder to find.

 

enjoy

Ford Outside
Width Year Model
57.25 1957-1959 Ford, Ranchero, Station Wagon
57.25 1965-1966 Mustang
58.00 1966-1977 Bronco
58.00 1964-1965 Falcon
58.00 1977-1981 Granada/Versailles
58.50 1977-1981 Versailles
60.00 1958-1960 Edsel
61.00 1964-1971 Ford Full Size
61.00 1949-1951 Mercury
61.25 1957-1972 Ford F-100 Pickup
61.25 1960-1964 Ford Full Size
61.25 1971-1973 Mustang
61.25 1967-1973 Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane
63.00 1970-1979 Ranchero & Torino
63.00 1972-1979 Ford Full Size & Intermediate
63.50 1967 Fairlane
65.25 1973-1986 Ford F-150 Pickup
65.25 1978-1986 Bronco
65.25 1973-1986 Ford Van 3/4 Ton
68.00 1972 Ford Van 3/4 Ton
69.25 1977-1986 Ford E-150 Van
Chevy Outside
Width Year Model
57.75 1962-1964 Chevy II/Nova
57.75 1965-1967 Chevy II/Nova
58.00 1978-1988 Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo
59.50 1968-1982 Corvette
60.00 1955-1964 Chevy Car
60.00 1967-1969 Camaro
60.25 1968-1979 Chevy II/Nova
60.50 1984-1995 Corvette
60.50 1964-1967 Chevelle
62.00 1955-1959 Chevy Pickup
62.50 1968-1972 Chevelle
62.50 1970-1981 Camaro/Firebird


Mopar Outside
Width Year Model
55.60 1960-1976 7 1/4 A-body
55.60 1973-1976 8 1/4 A-body
55.60 1966-1972 8 3/4 A-body
55.60 All 8 3/4 A-body
56.00 1932-1934 All Mopars
57.40 1963-1972 7 1/4 A-body
58.54 All 8 1/4 F-body
58.54 All 8 1/4 M-body
58.54 All 8 1/4 J-body
59.00 1935-1936 All Mopars
59.14 1966-1970 9 3/4 B-body
59.20 1962-1970 8 3/4 B-body
60.00 1937-1948 All Mopars
60.70 All 8 3/4 E-body
60.70 All 9 3/4 E-body
62.00 All 8 1/4 B-body
62.00 1971-1974 8 3/4 B-body
62.00 All 9 1/4 B-body
63.40 All 8 1/4 C-body
63.40 1971-1974 8 3/4 B-body S.W.
63.40 All 9 1/4 C-body

 

any pictures of the current rear end?

 

The 9" rear in 57-59 Fords was 57.25" and small bearing. I don't know why you would have to remove the shocks to change a tire. Are your rims made with a deep backspace or something? Were the shock mounts moved for some reason?

 

Looking at chart HRM2K posted the Mopar A body axle would get you right where you wanted to be but may again be hard to find now. Again it it may be a lot less expensive than buying and modifying a nine inch though.
I'm saving that chart for sure.

 

The 57/59 Ford rear ends also come in the large axle bearing style.



I have a 57 Ford rear end with the large bearing. You generally find the large bearing models under station wagons, Rancheros and convertibles but I have found them under regualar sedans also.

 

here are some pics...

If you can identify it you win the Hamber of the year in my book...

 

anyone have a clue?

 

I think you already ID'd it with your first guess, 1949-56 Ford car.

 

thanks for the chart...

 

Yes, thanks very much for the chart. Now, if I just knew what's a Chrysler A-body, B-body.........

 

great info on the measurements....thanks

 

the chart came from a thread on here from about 6 years ago.........I kept it just incase