Projects The bucket of ugly! A de-uglifying thread...

Guys, I need some opinions/advice. I noticed in Sdakmini's build thread, that his 9" rear end isn't centered and it doesn't really make that much of a difference "looks wise", as far as I can tell. Am I seeing it right? His car will be full bodied and it really won't matter, but is it THAT oddball in a T Bucket, with everything exposed? I'm trying to save some coin. aka CHEAPSKATE

 

I have a buddy with a very nice T RPU that has run a non centered stock width 8" ford Maverick rear for many years.
It looks fine even with his transverse spring setup.
The rear end is quite visible and most people don't even notice it unless it is pointed out.
I was going to do the same, I started my build with the same Maverick rear, but switched out mid way through my build when I bought the new Winters QC which is centered.

A centered rear end looks more proportional however it is up to your own preference really.

 

Thanks, Blue, for the quick response. It's also the one my wallet was hoping to hear. Now, I've got to call my buddy and tell him NOT to sell it. As my build progresses, I'll make a final decision, when I get to that point. But honestly, if the only view the competition sees is my rear, it'll be their problem, not mine.

 

Why don't you consider getting a MOPAR rearend, they are cheap, available and the PUMPKIN looks really good and it is in the middle, also has same bolt pattern as the Maverick, fords, 5x41/2,

I absolutely HATE CHEAP, Thrifty!!!! NOW that I live and love by that code.

 

I will. My research also says a '96 explorer rear will be a good choice, too. Decisions, decisions.

 

The 8.8" Ford can be built into a beefy rear end and there are tons of aftermarket bits to build it the way you want. The Spicer style will also give you different options on the diff cover plates to make it purdy.

Although I'm partial to the smooth-as-a-baby's-arse ChryCo 8 3/4...

 

The nice thing on the Maverick 8" rear end is the 56.5 " width which is perfect for a T.
My new winters quickchange is the same exact width.

 

The A body mopar 8 3/4 is a perfect fit as is but are not real common anymore and certainly pricier than a 8 inch ford when found.

 

Here is my non centered ford rear.

 

I have seen 8.8 shod with 40" tires, loaded with 5.14:1 gears being turned by transfer cases with 10.44:1 low ranges, from a first gear around 4:1.

Even if you put a lawnmower engine on the front of that, instead of 250lb.
ft. of torque, you'd still be looking at a brutal assignment for an axle.

Weld the tubes to the pumpkin with 7018, and drive.

 

If you go with the Explorer rear, a good choice I think, a common modification is to shorten the long side to match the short side and get another short side axle for it. You'll narrow it 2 inches and center the pumpkin. I'm cheap, I mean thrifty, and I'm glad I did it to my axle.

 

My frame arrived today, pics are in my album under, "Black Dahlia". I'll be a grinding this weekend and...... loving it. I called a few auto yards the other day and 8.8's out of a '96 Explorer are going for $350 - $400 with 3:73 gears and disc brakes. So, I'm really leaning in that direction.

 

Lot of talk about rearend centering,my 2cents is just center the driveshaft,its the part that needs to be on center=these drive shafts are short and even thought they don't move much keeping the Ujoints from getting extra bend is good for ride an lasting. As for how it looks from the back? Well I put good engineering a head of some oddball idea of just for looks. The rods I ve built over the years were the rearend kind of shows,I just center the tag up to over all car and that covers most of the reaend anyway. A paper tag thingy in tag frame for contrast. This rear is now a 8ford from a 65 stang

 

Keep an eye on craigslist, I suspect you can pick one up for cheaper than that. The newer ones are all disk with an integrated parking brake, but I believe there are older ones that are drum if you want that instead. Then again, the 8.8 is a c-clip style rear, so if you break an axle, it'll walk...unless you have disc brakes to hold it in. Look for limited slip too...the tag will have an L on it, for example 3L73 means 3.73 gears, limited slip.

 

Only the very early Explorers had drums.

 

And Dana, I had considered that. The drive shaft on my last/first T Bucket was about 1', if that! I'm pretty much sold on the path I've chosen.

 

I feel in love with this 27 T modified, but that love just couldn't include that rear end. JW

 

An illusion of mis -proportion caused by the spring. I'll bet, if this same car had a coil spring set up, you may not even notice. What say ye?

 

Nice.

 

Fred, with a coil set up I think you are right........carry on. JW

 

My axle is a '95, the last year for drums.

 

Don't they any U-Pull It yards around you? Around here they get $96 for a "truck" rear axle assy, just checked and they had 28 Exploders on their inventory list. With their inventory turns, I would think should be easy to find one.

 

First guys let me remind you of the name of this thread.

Nice bones Fred.

With all the cars in my local wrecker I have to believe you don't have to use a diff. that doesn't have a centered punkin for a rod where it is so visible.

Gary

 

It's getting harder and harder to find good stuff in the yards down here. Ecology sold out to LCQ Pick Your Part, and prices went up, fewer old cars seem to be making it to the lots and turnover has increased to the point nothing seems to stay in the yard very long (kinda like CostCo!). Really bummed about it, because older cars are getting rarer in the yards as it is, and Ecology seemed to keep them around a little longer when they got one in. From what I can tell, It looks like the Ca. Nazi's ran Ecology's used auto parts business out of the state (their still selling used Semi parts in Ca, and used auto parts in Az).


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Yes, you know what? I do know the name of this thread and you won't have to remind me again. Have a good one.

Photos and other shit about my car, will be in my album.

 

Fred, I think you should think twise about non centered pumpkin.
After all this thread is about how to do things right and not cookie cutting to avoid ugliness.

 

Remember beauty is only skin deep Fred.. I see you are going with a level front spring perch and unless you're using a banjo Ford differential a centered pumpkin is questionable, engineering and safety should trump cosmetics. Just my 2 cents..

 

It would appear Fred has left the building, that's sad as he was contributing to a near dead thread. JW

 

Gary is a grumpy old bastard at times and he chases people off.

We all know what this thread started out to be, Gary seems to be the only one who doesn't know that is has grown to be more than it was in the beginning.

Chip accepted that and was more than willing and happy to play along.
But there is no point in going over this again, we have been there before.

Some guys are just stubborn it seems.
I wish Fred would stick around, he brings some fun to the table.
And remember there is more to beauty than you realize.
Way earlier in the thread I posted a picture of my buddies bright orange 27 RPU and there is no way that it can be considered ugly at all.
Even with the non centered Maverick rear end.
I thought that we were long done with this nonsense.

If that's all this thread will be is " Remember the title of the damned thread" ,
then it deserves to die.

 

Here in sweden Volvoaxels are used alot from 240/740/940 series.
Narrow and lightweight and good enough in a light car if you not use it for dragracing.
I am preatty sure the pumpkin is centered on those.
But they have discbrakes if you can live with that.