I am starting to think about what to do with the rear end of my F100. I am lowering it either with bags or coilovers. The truck has the original 352 and trans. What rear diff is this and should I keep it or swap it with something else. What modifications to this one should I consider? Thank you as always.
It looks to be a Ford 9 inch diff which is the diff most commonly used for the F100 series vehicles. It is common and easy enough to get parts and make modifications with respect to gear ratio's and brakes. I have one in my 1960 F100 and rebuilt it with a 3.54:1 ratio, bigger brakes and new bearings and I am very happy with it. Check out a couple of my other threads on this topic; http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=663175 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366906 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=795932 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481492
There is nothing to be gained, only lost, by swapping out your 9" Ford. You already have one of the most rugged, easily serviced and with a huge parts availability, rear ends that exists. Keep it. Ray
Do you know how to tell if it's a 9 inch rear ? Only a box end wrench or a "crows foot" socket will fit the bottom nut which releases the gear housing from the axle housing. If it is a 8 or 9 inch ford I personally would leave it alone as I have found them both to be good axles. Plus you will save yourself some money not having to buy a new rear end and parts are available every where for 8 and 9 inch Fords .
9" rear ends were standard equipment on Ford pickups from 1957 models onward until sometime in the '80s .......when they were replaced by the 8.8" axle and all had 5 x 5 1/2" wheel bolt pattern in pickup applications You can be confident you have a 9" axle. Ray
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