Technical Shortening a differential Question

Doing a model A
After you have considered all the variables such as wheels and wheel offset ,fenderless or not, frame set up etc, now you are ready to find a early model Ford differential and know the exact length you need .. I know ideally the cheapest and what makes the most sense is to check all the salvage yards and club members to find the right length . As I've searched with little success .Might this be a option, if you have found one that is in good shape, other than the fact it is too long ,have it shortened? Would this be cost prohibitive and would it result in a weaker differential ? Gene

 

You mean narrowed?

 

I think he means narrowed, the most cost prohibitive part of narrowing a rear end is the cost of axles. new aftermarket axles are not cheap, my last set ran me about 400 dollars.

 

Suspect so, Chopped. Then consider the wheel width and offset options Blaze.

 

If so. .. it won't have any affect on the strength of the differential.

 

I think he means housing. Sometimes we get confused over terminology.

 

The differential is just the guts around which the ring gear is placed, and into which the axle shafts protrude.

Narrowing an axle housing does not affect the strength of this mechanism.

Narrowing a housing should not affect its strength, as long as it has been done properly, in a proper jig.

Paying to have a housing narrowed does cost a bit, but, as has been mentioned, the shorter axle shafts are what really add up.

The best deal is to get your body, fenders (if used), and your actual wheel and tire combo all mocked-up, take a measurement of what width would be needed, and find an OEM axle that is already that width.

 

EASY WAY IS TO GO TO JUNKYARD & FIND AN EXPLORER REAR END WITH THE GEARS YOU NEED

LESS THAN $200

 

That is too easy, Maveric rears, bronco rears, Granada rears, Explorer like you said all good candidates for an A bone. GM would be Vega, Nova, S-10 to name a few.

Overthinking has caused me to miss out on a lot in my lifetime, it is the nemesis to all hot rodders world wide.

 

Don't be scared of Toyletta pickup rears,they make a lot of tough parts for them because of the off-road crowd. I used a later model Jeep Cherokee once, Just look there are a lot of options.

 

P&B along with the other Guys are right on. Open this Link and study the measurements of different make autos and trucks................. Jeff
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Wheelbase,_track_width,_and_differential_measurements