What's a good width of rear axle to use on a 28 model a sedan? I am going to run skinny tire's and wheels, old ford wires for wheels, and big and little bias ply's for tires. Just wondering what width rear axle you guys have ran with similar setups. Thanks, Eddy
The 70's Ford Mavrick 8" is a good choice for the narrow frame cars. It is 56 1/2" from outside to outside.
While the Maverick ( 5 lug models ) do work good, I suggest a 66 to mid 70's Bronco. Most guys end up using wheel adaptors on the Maverick rear ends to go from the 5 on 4.5 wheel pattern to the early Ford ( 5 on 5.5 ) wheel pattern. The Bronco is just over 58 inches wide ( measured this way ) The Maverick is 56.5 measured the same way ... so with the added width of the wheel adaptors you end up at about the same width as a Bronco. The Bronco is a 9 inch rear end ... and has a much better selection of rear end ratios. Posi's are a LOT easier to come up with and of course ... the 9 inch is stronger
Best and most common method of measuring rearend width is axle flange face to axle flange face (brake drum face to brake drum face if drums are installed).
For the things you want, wire wheels, skinny bias etc you need a 36'-'40 Ford Banjo with a T spring. The trick will be to find an old A rear axle and cut the spring mounts off the outside saving the mounting holes for the brake backing plates. Trim the circle out of the A mounts to fit the inside (towards the ring gear) of the 36-40 bells, as they are now your spring brackets. This will let you run spring over, makes the mounts the right width for the spring, put juice brakes on it easily, run your wires, and the wheels will fit perfectly in the fenders if you are running them. Nothing looks better than a Banjo on the rear of an A sedan. Get an open drive kit from the HOT ROD WERKS and you'll be set. You'll need to fab some sort of stiffeners for the bones but that's not hard. Good Luck, Tim
The Jalopy Journal
