On rearends?

I'm in need of a rearend for my fenderless '33 Ford Pickup, flathead w/ T-5. I have a line on a '93 Ranger 8.8, 3.53 58" hub to hub, Wondering if this would be a good choice? I'll need to figure out an adapter to 5 1/2" BC to match the front '40 Axle Any thoughts? Thanks, CSW

 

You are gonna run a flatty and then the 8.8 rear behind it? Kinda a clash of era's isn't it? Why not run a 55-57 Chevy rear? they are about the same width and fit the era better. Also the early olds/ponts from the late 40s to the late 50s would work. plus there is the 8 3/4 mopars, or even an early banjo rear with open drive.
Seems like a lot of work to make a car look old but then have all new stuff for the drive line.

just my opinion

 

Why not an early F100 rear? Same bolt pattern, seems like it'd be the correct width, and it's all old Ford, which would keep the traditional police off your case.

 

That would work well too. The only thing is that the trucks usually used a little steeper gearing like 4.10:1. However, using the T5 with OD will help out considerably making a nice cruising speed and plenty of take off power.

 

Different gearsets are available for the f1 rear, pretty much anything you want. Early bronco rears fit nice and have the right bolt pattern. I'm running a 48 banjo converted to open drive behind a 8ba/merc 3spd overdrive in the new '34 pickup I'm building now. Seems to fit okay...

 

If anyone is still watching? I appreciate all your feedback. To my way of thinking, if I can find a rearend with the right gear ratio the proper width and good brakes to boot for two hundred bucks, that would be my preference. Originally I had planned to run a banjo but to change the gear set and upgrade the axles it can get pretty pricey. For me the rearend is going to be a one time deal and forget about it. With two other rods to keep up, a Harley, tractor and two dailey drivers to maintain, there is only so much time in life. CSW

Though I do have another question: Wondering if I can redrill the brake drums in the 8.8 to 5 1/2 " BC to eliminate the need for adapters. ANYONE Thanks.

 

yes you can redrill...I took my axels and disks to a wheel smith in J-ville here and he chucked em up in his mill and changed my pattern to chevy

 

you can change the bolt pattern a little bit, but going from 4.5 to 5.5 is not very likely, the axle flanges won't be big enough. I also suggest finding a full size Ford pickup rearend.

 

whoop, sorry I did not put two and two tofether on the pattern.....Squirrel is right, i only had to upsize a 1/4 inch to make mine uniform...I essentially have a dual pattern in my rear axel...that prob wont be an option for ya...

 

If you are looking for a 5 1/2 pattern. The early (66-77)Bronco rear is 58 inches and has the 5 1/2 pattern.

The 57 - 72 F150 are 61.25 inches and the 73 - 86 are 65.25 inches