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determining the rearend on my 54 Ford

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Martino, Jun 20, 2013.

  1. George/Maine
    Joined: Jan 6, 2011
    Posts: 949

    George/Maine
    Member

    I have a 1981 Granada rearend under my 39 ford and measures 64 3/4" with 205/70/15"
    I just bought a 54 ford and was wondering if a Granada 8" would fit.
    The 54 Ford measures 65 1/2" so looks like it fits well.
    Pic of new ride.
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Martino
    Joined: Nov 26, 2010
    Posts: 248

    Martino
    Member

    Nice ride George/Maine !
    Yes I would say it will fit. I have the same size tires on my ford.
     
  3. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 33,508

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    since you will have the rearend out (Springs & Shackles On My 54 Ford - another thread on this car) you will be able to take better photos and look for any numbers to help identify. pics of (8.8 Ford-year/model?) rearend in my '54 Ford sedan. just found this to help id rearends:
    www.g-body.org/tnt/diffs/diff-housing.php
     

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    Last edited: Jun 21, 2013
  4. junkyardjeff
    Joined: Jul 23, 2005
    Posts: 8,679

    junkyardjeff
    Member

    With that type of yoke its definately not a 70s granada rearend and it looks to be a 8.8,it could be a explorer rearend.
     
  5. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,388

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Nope. Housing is wrong. The part of the center-section, where the axle tubes are received, is way too short. Not a Ranger or an Explorer 8.8. Look at JalopyJoker's first picture. That is what a Ranger or Explorer 8.8 looks like.
     
  6. junkyardjeff
    Joined: Jul 23, 2005
    Posts: 8,679

    junkyardjeff
    Member

    Me bad as I thought the latest pictures were of the rear end in question.
     
  7. terryble
    Joined: Sep 25, 2008
    Posts: 541

    terryble
    Member
    from canada

    I have seen Granada with 8 inch,9 inch and 8.8 integrals. I think they used everything inthem depending on motor and tranny options.
     
  8. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,388

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Unless there is some weird early car housing.
     
  9. mercman49
    Joined: Jun 10, 2012
    Posts: 5

    mercman49
    Member
    from Mobile,al

    it looks like the same rear end in my 53 Lincoln, dana 30
     
  10. APACHE FS
    Joined: Feb 20, 2007
    Posts: 569

    APACHE FS
    Member

    Almost said that last night but the lower corner bolts seemed a little off, now after seeing the front you may be right.
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1371863904.423266.jpg


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  11. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 33,508

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    OK, I did find that Granada did have oddball differentials: 7.7 '81-'82, 8.7 '77-'78, 8.75 '75-76. these years may not be absolute because so many sites have different information. But, if you go to the H.A.M.B. Archive and search for:Will a Ford 8.8 Rear End Fit A Models A? (12-07-2006). In Post #7 there is a pic of a 8.7. Also, go to eBay and search for: New RDS55003 Felpro Rear Differential Cover Gasket: Vintage Ford & Mercury. With this info likely your '54 has a 8.7 rearend.
     
  12. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 33,508

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    so, what did you find?
     
  13. Martino
    Joined: Nov 26, 2010
    Posts: 248

    Martino
    Member

    It is awesome that you guys are helping me brainstorm this. I'm going to jack the car up and craw under there again.
    Thanks for all the research and help.
     
  14. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,388

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Given the size, shape, and stamping profile of the cover, I am guessing something in the 8 range, rather than 7, as the cover is a dead-ringer for the steel cover I just put on a Ranger 8.8, for my Falcon (to replace the plastic one), but the center section casting is different.
     
  15. Nonstop
    Joined: Jun 18, 2012
    Posts: 176

    Nonstop
    Member
    from CA

    Hate to say it, but might be best to just pull the cover and get the part number off the ring gear.
     
  16. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 33,508

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    8.7 cover looks almost identical to 8.8 but, parts do not interchange
     
  17. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,388

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    My money is on 8.7, then.
     
  18. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 33,508

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    what is a direct bolt in for a rearend upgrade in a '52-'54 Ford?
     
  19. junkyardjeff
    Joined: Jul 23, 2005
    Posts: 8,679

    junkyardjeff
    Member

    Maverick 8 inch,I have one in my 55 convertible.
     
  20. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 33,508

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    aren't 55's wider that '52-'54?
     
  21. junkyardjeff
    Joined: Jul 23, 2005
    Posts: 8,679

    junkyardjeff
    Member

    I think they are close and the maverick rear end is a little narrower then a granada.
     
  22. George/Maine
    Joined: Jan 6, 2011
    Posts: 949

    George/Maine
    Member

    I just took a measurement on a 8" Granada rear-end center to center is 43"
    and the 54 ford sedan is 41 3/8
    If my math is correct you have to move the spring pads IN 13/16 each side.
    The width is ok,they are very high geared like 2.78 but you can changer gears but will be ok with smaller tires.
     
  23. Well, the spring pad movement depends on the center to center on the locator pin on the springs themselves, though. It's like how a 2nd gen Camaro rear drops into 49-54 Chevy, the spring spacing is the same, even though the rear itself is a couple inches wider overall. (although on those you still need to relocate the pin hole because the stock one is offset).
     
  24. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 33,508

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    the 8.8 in my '54 has these numbers on center section facing drive shaft: FOTW-4025-AA (F maybe a 6?) and nearby on housing : 13W. any ideas how to figure out what these codes mean? there is no tag on the inspection cover. if I had that I could possibly use info at: www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/axles.html
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2013
  25. Martino
    Joined: Nov 26, 2010
    Posts: 248

    Martino
    Member

    As a matter of fact I do need to move the leaf springs inboard. They don't line up with the stock hanger location. And the Shackles are a hack job. I have a thread on that too. Its called;

    Springs & Shackles on my 54 Ford
     
  26. Martino
    Joined: Nov 26, 2010
    Posts: 248

    Martino
    Member

    Looks like I need to take a closer look at the center section for some markings.
     
  27. After seeing the from of the axle it appears to be a spicer rear axle,it very well my be the original. HRP
     
  28. Martino
    Joined: Nov 26, 2010
    Posts: 248

    Martino
    Member

  29. Martino
    Joined: Nov 26, 2010
    Posts: 248

    Martino
    Member

    Thought I would post a pic of the car that the rearend is in. Next faze is to lower the rearend and install the bubble skirts that I have.
     

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