Banjo rear ends......can someone give me the basics on them?

Ladies and Gentlemen (and scoundrels), I come to you in need
of information....I wonder if one of yall's can give me the skinny on Ford Banjo rear ends.
I'm looking for info such as, but not limited to:
1. what ones do I want, what ones do I NOT want
2. can I change out the gears in a model A banjo to make it cruise down the freeway without screaming like a banshee?
3. can I put an old model a banjo behind a mildly hopped up
324 Olds without killing it if I put better gears in it?
4. What gears do I want to put in it?
5. if the banjo is a torque tube, how do I convert it to open driveline so I can use it behind a Hydramatic?
6. interesting factoids about the banjo, such as..... can you make a bong out of a banjo, or....how far can you throw a banjo? Thanks for your input in advance!
John

 

John, a Model A rear axle will NEVER be able to stand up to an Olds engine.
Even a mild flathead would rip it apart in VERY short order.

If the Olds is your engine of choise, then your going to need something like a
9" Ford rear axle.

 

hmmm that sucks. how about an open driveline banjo such as in 39 and later fords?

 

john why not 8 in, 9 in?
wes

 

John, ALL banjo style rear axles used a "tapered axle end" (at the hub) and a keyway at the end of the axle to keep the brake drum (which the rear wheel(s) are bolted to) from turning on the axle. They are known for shearing the key off even with stock engines.

There ARE ways to "beef up" the inards of a "banjo style housing." Several companies can remove the existing crown and pinion,
cut the ends of the housing off, and install 9" Ford axles, crown and pinion gear with the later style bearings and brake drums.

BUT if you have a pre '39 rear axle (you ask about Model "A") then this process CAN'T be done. There is not enough room inside the banjo center section. Plus your "A" axle has mechanical brakes. (unless someone changed over to later model brakes)

You better want the "look" of a banjo rear end REAL BAD because the conversion can run into a couple of grand!! ($$$)
Changes to a "stock" A axle will never stand up to ANY kind of abuse.
The fist time you "put your foot into it" you would have a couple of useless "cork screws."

With the Olds engine you would be better off to go looking for a Ford 9".

 

Dave....I have a '35 Ford 4.11 with tapered axles in the dragster. I think about that (a little) every time I launch the thing...

 

Check out this site for prices on banjo axle upgrades & quick-changes:

The Hot Rod Works

 

I'm running a 4:11 banjo on my mild 59A flatty powered '35 pickup. If you use one that is in good shape, and install safety hubs (cheap & a must), you should not have problem w/ an early (mild) OHV motor. However, If you want to beat the living shit out of it, then you probably don't want a 60+ year old rear end. Although I know quite a few guys that don't worry about laying strips w/ their rigs w/ banjos. As far as gear ratios go, I'm switching to a 3:78 ring & pinion this winter. A 4:11 is to low for even short fwy runs w/ my flathead. With the greater torque of the early Olds a 3:78 should be perfect or you could even go with a 3:54. Either way banjos are cool!

 

I have a Banjo rear under my 40 (stock....3.78 gear) and it is OK......but a Model A........no way.

You need a 66 up early Bronco 9" Ford rear. Total width is 58" and they have the early Ford wheel pattern (5 on 5 and 1/2).

Better brakes, lots of gear choices and almost unbreakable ALL are the benefits of the 9" Ford. Plus they are easy to fix and buy parts for.

 

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Dave....I have a '35 Ford 4.11 with tapered axles in the dragster. I think about that (a little) every time I launch the thing...

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Hey SJ, any pics of the whole dragster??

BTW - is that "scatter shield" THICK enough?

 

Dave....here's the rail and the "Dorks 'R' Us Racing Team".

 

Hey SJ THAT looks good!!
Brings back some good memories!!

 

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dont know a whole lot about them but yeah im preety sure you could make a bong out of one

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Say I was gonna build a bong out of one, what size are the bolts that hold the axle housing on?

I tried Home Depot 3/8" coarse and fine and each didn't work. Are my threads just goobered? What tap should I use to clean them up if they are just gooberefied?

I am just too stoned from using the bong I made out a NOS Stromberg 97 to figure it out?

 

Nothing looks as good under a hopped up old ford as a banjo hung with a transverse spring and ford radius rods. I will spend what ever it takes to make my banjo live happily behind a mildly warmed up 327. I will be very sad if I have to say goodbye to the tapered axle ends. Jason...

 

<font color="red"> Banjo's have 4 strings Guitars have 6!

R E D M E A T </font>

 

john, if you need it... you can have the banjo outta my 35 p/u

 

P9, if he doesnt want it , I will take it if its available-Larry