determining the rearend on my 54 Ford

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.

 

Nice ride George/Maine !
Yes I would say it will fit. I have the same size tires on my ford.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

Me bad as I thought the latest pictures were of the rear end in question.

 

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.

 

Unless there is some weird early car housing.

 

it looks like the same rear end in my 53 Lincoln, dana 30

 

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



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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.

 

so, what did you find?

 

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.

 

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.

 

Hate to say it, but might be best to just pull the cover and get the part number off the ring gear.

 

8.7 cover looks almost identical to 8.8 but, parts do not interchange

 

My money is on 8.7, then.

 

what is a direct bolt in for a rearend upgrade in a '52-'54 Ford?

 

Maverick 8 inch,I have one in my 55 convertible.

 

aren't 55's wider that '52-'54?

 

I think they are close and the maverick rear end is a little narrower then a granada.

 

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.

 

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).

 

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

 

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

 

Looks like I need to take a closer look at the center section for some markings.

 

After seeing the from of the axle it appears to be a spicer rear axle,it very well my be the original. HRP

 

1979 and later Granada, 7.5"

http://www.ringpinion.com/DiffWizard.aspx

Select: 1979 FORD GRANADA and then 7.5 and you will have all the parts you need.

 

Just checked out http://www.ringpinion.com/DiffWizard.aspx

They do have everything possible.

 

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.