I have owed my 52 for 10 years now, and love it as a driver. 12 volts, headers and radial tires with chrome smoothies are the only non stock items which is how I bought it, runs great and has never let me down. I am ready for a rear end swap so I can keep the RPM's lower on the highway as I would drive it more often and on longer trips. I want to keep the origianl flathead drive train so a motor and tranny swap is not an option for me. Additionay if I or a later owner choses, I want this truck to be easily be converted to bone stock over a weekend.

I am assuming no one makes a higher gear set for this rear end?

Is there a vendor out there who can sell a complete rebuilt or new 9 inch replacement unit "complete and ready to go"? I travel and work way to many hours to chase down the parts. However if it ends up being shipped to me via a credit card with all the needed parts, it will end up getting installed one weekend around midnight.

Bryan

 

Look up Randy's Ring and Pinion
They have higher r&p for the Dana 41/44's

 

Thanks! I will. For some reason my assumption was no one made these? With higher gears there is no reason for a rear end swap.

Bryan

 

Please keep us updated with what you find. I'd like to do this swap to a '50 F-1.

 

Yes they had gears for a Dana 44, which is how mine is marked on the lower right side of the housing. Highest set they had was a 307. Price seemed OK at less than $350.

It is definatly a good option unless my current ratio is close to 307. Now to find time to jack mine up over the weekend, turn my wheels and see what ratio I have. Currently I tach at 3K at 60 mph. Additionally I have not done a gear swap before but can rebuild carbs, brakes etc and am very 'handy". Should I try this myself if I take my time? Are there good step by step instructions and any specialized tools needed? Any one know of a good gear swapper in the Ft Lauderdale area?

Any feedback on if a 307 is to high a ratio for a stock v8 flathed? Currently I have a 4 speed on the floor and 1st gear is very low, ie 0 - 3 mph. I never use 1st gear, just 2 - 4, ie like a 3 speed.

Bryan