68MURC do you have any tips on doing the wider 9" swap ? I found your threads on perch's and spring measurements , I going to jack up Pebbles to take exact measurements off the 68 rear end since the ones I posted were different than your measurements .

 

You're better off than me because you still have your original rear diff to take measurements from. Just transfer those measurements onto your new rear end, but you knew that!
The only thing I'd recommend is measuring an extra 2-3-4-5 times before welding! I thought I measured enough times, but it ended up being 3/8" off.
Make sure your have your pinion angle set up too!

 

thanks
yes OCTO check measurements , my home made jig will make sure pinion angle is correct.
did you move your shock mounts ? or leave in 79 position ?

 

I left them in '79 position, they work fine. On mine, I have to install the shock onto the upper stud first, then swing the shock into the lower mount.

 

well I already cut them off so guess I have to move them now .
I thought being wider they wouldn't work correctly or bind due to wrong angle .

 

The shocks will go on easier if you relocate your lower mounts. My shocks were a bit of a PITA to get on the first time. Now that the bushings have molded themselves to their new position, the shocks come off and go back on easily.

 

ok glad I cut them off then , got some sand blasting done when i got home from work less to do on weekend

 

Got some more done
I found cracks on the disc backing plates and grooves worn in rear back plates . so I welded them up and ground them smooth . Also got the shock mounts welded in place .
then sprayed a coat of self etching primer on the backing plates followed by some semi gloss black .

 

more pictures

 

On your '78 rear end, are both axles the same length or, is one axle a little longer than the other?

 

not sure , they look very close in length . I marked them when I removed them,to be safe .
I'll measure today when I am in garage

 

i'd guess they are different , if you look at my dimensions pic of the 78 the Bolt to shock mount and bolt to perch differ from side to side .

 

both Axles are the same 31 3/8 from back of hub

 

I was thinking the Dentside axles were equal length, like the Bumpside axles but, it made me wonder when I saw your photos and noticed the perch and lower shock mount was closer to the center portion of the housing on one side than the other.

On the '81 F150 9-inch 'Torino' large bearing flange rear end I have, the perch and shock mount are also closer on one side than the other. In my case though, the axles are staggered in length --one longer than the other.

The only thing I can conclude for this is that the engines and transmissions through the Dentside models were offset to the right of the trucks centerline. The engine/transmission in the '81 Bullnose donor were gone but, I suspect they were installed along the centerline of those trucks and would explain why the axles in it are different lengths.

 

in my search for more info on the Ford 9" I found this site had a lot of info .
Ford 9" Information | www.darkside.ca