What width do I need to fit a 9 inch Ford rear end under my 50 Chev pickup? I bought the truck a couple of weeks ago and it has a 78 camaro/firebird front clip under it and a temp installed 10 bolt rear axle, not real happy with the looks of the clip splice so I just picked up a 54 GMC parts truck today. I plan to box the 54 frame and install a "Fatman Fab" front IFS and four link w/coil over rear suspension on the 54 frame and slide it under the 50 sheetmetal.
look for a rearend that's about 61" across the wheel mounting surfaces (drum-drum) http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm http://www.mustangsandmore.com/ubb/FordRearDimensions.html
also, you might want to do some research on wheels/tires and how they fit in the fenders, before you decide for sure on which rearend to get. Get the bed set up with fenders on it, put the wheels/tires you want to use in it with the right clearance so they look right and won't rub, and measure the distance between the wheels, at the surface where they fit up against the rearend.
There are some things you ought to know as you start this frame swap. First is that the front sheet metal mounts a little differently on a GMC than on a Chevy. Since you are going from a clip job to an original type frame you may not encounter any problems. If the original radiator and fender supports are gone, you won't notice... But if you have the original '50 Chevy radiator bracket and fender supports you'll have some adapting to make it work on the GMC frame. Check this page for some pictures that explain: http://www.oldsub.com/Content/2006/07/crossmembers/crossmembers.html Second is that the '53 and earlier beds are not as deep as a '54 or later bed. This is because the kickup on the later frames is lower. That may not make much difference in this swap, but the frames are different as a result.
My '49 has a '70 Mustang 9", stock width. I don't remember the width offhand. 15X8.5" torque thrusts fit in the stock fenders fine. I have 15X10s with 3" wider than stock fenders. Clearance is a little tight between the bed and the inside of tires (BFG 285/70-15s). The bed is not tubbed. If I had it to do over again, I'd make it 1-2" wider and it would be a perfect fit. Chris
thanks for the info, those links have been saved. the 54 GMC has a rad support that I plan to use as the one with the clip has been clipped, hopefull not to run into any other fitment problems, as far as the motor mounts I will be installing a SBC and TH400 so will not be using existing crossmember mounts Larry
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