Looking seriously at yet another Shoebox; got some questions. Wheels: are they era specific (re 1949 to when)? That funky rear driveline U-joint; easy to replace with better/newer design? It's been sectioned: app 5 1/2". Steering column is not connected as far as I can tell. how much drop can I allow for and redrill mounting holes in the frame, or is it time to look at u-joints in the column? I got no heartburn if I need to make changes: it's just steel. Just looking for guidance. Don't want rear discs, but would like a more modern rear axle for part's store sake. Don't really want to give up the floor pedal arrangement but, again, for part's store sake. If I can source a single Ford car like a Maverick or Granada or?
A Maverick rear axle should be an easy swap. You can get a conversion u-joint to mate the drive shaft to the Maverick diff. yoke. Almost any stock Ford 5 X 4.5" should fit, of course check backspacing for clearance first. 14, 15, 16 inch all easy to find. I've got 14 inch from a '64 Galaxie I had on mine, fit real nice.
I would think with a 5 1/2" section you will need to add a U joint to the steering column. If you lower the column that much, the pitman arm will be at a weird angle for the steering geometry to be correct.
As far as wheels, I could be wrong, but pretty sure that 1950-56 are what would be the same as far as 15" wheels. At least that is what I was looking for when I got mine for my shoebox. 1949 were maybe a one year only wheel since they were 16"? As mentioned, guessing that you could do anywhere from 14" to 16", but 15" may be the easiest to come by. And, the rear u-joint would be easy to change if you are changing the rearend anyway. The part that makes it strange is how it attaches to the rearend. Also, my 51 and my 56 are both running the rearends with the funky u-joints and I have yet to have any issues with them. I was also able to source the funky u-joint from my local parts store when I did need one.
Wow. the shipping costs literally tripled from last year. Yeesh. Thanks for the responses, but it's looking like I better win the Lotto before I do anything else...
Maverick rear axles are almost a bolt in. You have to move the spring perches in 3/4" on each side to match the springs. There are two different axles though. 1969-74 had 5 lugs for V8 cars only with a 2-3/8" register, 75-77 all were 5 lugs with a 2-3/4" register. Even the emergency brake cables will fit.
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