I have a 1952 F-1 Ford pickup with a 6cyl OHV engine with a 3 spd on the floor. The rearend has a 392 gear ratio. My question is what ring and pinon can I put in this housing. If the truck gets up to sixty the motor is screaming. So looking for information as to what will go into the existing housing that will get me a little more speed without the motor screaming and what do I have to know to get the right ring and pinon to use

 

New gears can't be put into stock rear ends. In order to get better gearing, you need to change out to an 8.8 or 9" rear end. A 9" rear end from a 57-72 F100 is the correct width and is practically a direct bolt-in. You can then change out the gears in the 9" if you don't like what it has inside.

 

I have a 52 also that had a Dana 44 with 392 gears in it. I switched to an 8.8 out of an 00 Explorer with new springs from CPP. The 8.8's have 3 1/4" tubes so you have to have the Ubolts that fit it and I had to move the perches to the correct width. Also, the 8.8 I got has 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern (probably all of them do) so unless you are going to change out your front end and get the same bolt pattern look for a 9" like 51PanelMan listed that should have the same bolt pattern that you have now.

 

I JUST last weekend picked up a 9" rear for this same reason.
Just one more project.

 

I don't know what size tires you are running, but if possible, you could go to a taller rear tire to lower your RPM. Of course, that is a short term fix, but it may be cheap until you can swing the rear diff swap.

 

I have the stock set up with 16" wheels and 6.00x16 tires. No big difference in RPMs from when I had 15" wheels with 235/75/15 radials.

 

How about something like this, just on the back?


For myself-->

 

Trust me, I see those vehicles on the streets of Oakland.

 

You can put new gears in a Dana 44, including a posi unit. there are many vendors that sell the gears. Randy's ring and pinion is one of them.

 

If you go below 372 gears in the Dana 44, you have to change not only the ring and pinion but also the gear carriage. The easiest change is to go to a 9 inch Ford from a 1957 to 1972 F100 truck. It's a straight swap out.
See this article for great review:

1948 through 1960 Ford F-1 and F-100 Rear Axle (differential) Swaps .: Articles

 

[quote=bryanknie;12287252]You can put new gears in a Dana 44, including a posi unit. there are many vendors that sell the gears. Randy's ring and pinion is one of them.[/quI

I thank you for the information.

I will be looking at changing my ring and pinion in the future.

I have heard many times on the forum that their were no other available but it looks like their may be options.

 

Yes ou can, and the above comment by Fordpar is correct. I went to I think a 3.52 (cant remember it is on Randy's site, is closet one to a 3.50) and also had to change the carrier which can be purchased new on the same site, I bought the posi one. However for at total of lesss than $800 everthing bearings, seals and gears in my original rear end are replaced, it is totaly rebuilt and is now a posi. I installed a Ford Racing 306 (340hp) and a new Ford AOD in mine it works nicely. I have been told the Dana 44's are tough, all the off roaders/jeeps run them and they handle 400 hp easily.

I was also mislead and everyone told me the gears could not be changed out. Before I found out that the original Dana 44's could be set up with new gears, I was going with a new Mosier at at cost of $2300. I saved lots of money and now with the original rear a posi I can lay down double stripes of rubber.

 

If you're going to keep the 6 cyl and want to stay original, re-doing the Dana 44 would work.

I just bought a 9 inch Ford from a '69 F100 for $300 including brakes, drums, whole thing. Needs new wheel cyl and shoes, but that's not much.

You pays your money and makes your choice....

 

Computer did a double post.
Sorry.

 

bryanknie, can you describe exactly what parts you had to get? I though the spider gears and axle shaft splines did not match the new Dana 44 parts thus making gear swapping not an option. I'd love to re-gear the axle in my brother's F-1.