Just picked up a 9 inch for free its in verygood condition. Anyway i was wondering the axle is 63 1/2 inches from axle flange to flange, according to my calculations its about two inches too wide. Is this correct or do you think it will work if i pick the right wheel???? If its too wide I have the tools and know how to shorten it but I didnt want to have to get new axles. Thanks for any help

 

You would need reverse offset wheels with that axle, hard to find especially if you want the fronts and rears to match and not terribly attractive. You could shorten the housing and use axles from a narrower rear end, but unless that rear end has a gear ratio you want, the work and expense, especially if you need to swap gears, could make a "free" deal more expensive than finding the right width 9" or the even easier to find and cheaper 8.8". The 8.8 is plenty strong up to ~ 500 HP, even for occasional trips to the strip.

 

2" too wide is an inch off each axle. I'd bet the splines on those axles are already long enough to shorten those axles by an inch, check the wear pattern on the end of the splines to be sure, you might be lucky.

 

Just a quick question on the 9" while the subject is up. I know there are two diffrent axle splines used with the 9" one straight and one that is tapered at the end. I have heard that the one that is tapered can not be or is at least not recomended to be shortened. Anyone know if this is ture? I have a rear out of a 94 F150 if any one needs it and is close enough to pick it up.

 

I say leave the axle as is and get your rims made to fit. Stockton wheel will give you what you need. You won't be able to swap with the fronts, but you will be able to rotate them from side to side as the wear. That is, if you don't mind having the wheels out an extra inch. A lot of trucks have wide wheels that protrude out past the edge of the fenders. I, for one, like the look. Good luck, Jag

 

I tnd to agree with JAG. I think they look awsome from the back. Good luck and post pics if it works out. RUSTY

 

Actually both axle housings can be shortened. The 31 spline axle is the same diameter end to end, so shortening is a matter of chopping off the excess and resplining the end.
The 28 spline axle is smaller in diameter past the splines so it cannot just be cut off and resplined, you would need to purchase shorter axles.

 

Personal preference I guess. Not filling the inside of the fender and extending past outside looks dumb like the hip hoppers with the rubberband tires sticking out like rollerskate wheels IMHO, especially when you have to lift the rear end for the fenders to clear the tires when the suspension flexed. If I had to use too wide a rear end I'd at least widen the fenders to cover the tires.

 

By the way that 63.5" axle is a ******* size that ford only used one year in the 67 Fairlane, probably why the PO was willing to give it away.

 

Which I would suspect to be the 28 splined version w/taper. Look to see if there's a fill plug on the back side.

 

Thanks for the info AXracer