Projects 9" Ford rearend width?

Ok I'm going around & round on what to do. This is going on my 30 Model A sedan on duece rails. I have a 9" housing that is 60"s flange to flange,which is too wide. Rearend is almost 3 inches wider on one side, so Im thinking I can cut & reweld one side, then buy just one new axle shaft. I'm getting ready to cut it down but can't decide on width. I will be running 40 ford wheels with 7.50 tires. Any help or suggestions? Thanks for help Chad

 

Nuthead, I have a 9" small bearing housing 54 and1/2" flange to flange with axles. If you want it all you have to do is pay shipping and boxing and their yours. woodiewagon46@gmail.com

 

The width you want would be determined by the wheels & tires you will be running. Set them exactly where you want and measure the inside wheel mounting surfaces, boom no compromise, no guessing no deciding it is what is.

The other option is to get as close as you can with an existing housing and then make it work. Maybe you'll need spacers, little wheel tubs, weird offsets, redrilled axles , shaved drums- who knows exactly till you get something under it.

 

hey woodie,if he isn't interested in I would be.

 

31 vicky has it nailed.

 

For clarification and standard nomenclature sake, flange to flange would indicate the flanges at the ends of the tubes, where the backing plates bolt on, which is obviously not what you mean. WMS-to-WMS, or wheel mounting surface, to wheel mounting surface is what you mean.

This is the only axle width measurement that actually matters, as brake offsets varied, on almost all axles, over the years. Flange-to-flange, and backing plate-to-backing plate measurements are all but useless.

Yes, you can cut off the housing flange, cut down the tube, weld on a new one, they are easily commercially available, and run a shorter axle. This, of course, MUST be done in a jig, and carefully. Done without the proper jig, you will likely have a short-lived axle.

 

Thanks for info guys. I found a guy with a jig to cut & reweld. So what is normal WMS to WMS that you guys are using with duece frame model A body? As soon as I get into shop Im going to do what 31vicky suggested.

 

I typically use a 58" axle on a fenderless A, but it depends on how low it is intended to sit at ride height. If the tires are to fit the profile of the inner fenders, a 58" axle seems to work well. If the car is low enough that the tires are past the top of the inner fenders, then a wider axle is called for.

As has been said, roll your tires and wheels out, and put them where YOU want them, on both sides, and then measure that distance wms-to-wms. It matters little the exact number, if it does not look good to you.

 

http://carnut.com/specs/rear.html