Well I have been going through several sites on 9" measurements. I then measured my 73-79 axles. I measured 60.38" outside of housing flange to outside of housing flange. each flange is 1/4" thick. That leaves me with 59 .88" The tech article states flange to flange on the 73-86 vans (also F150's) is 65" I measured wheel mating surface to wheel mating surface and got 59.5" on brake drum's outer-step-down to outer-step-down , plus 3" for drum thickness to lug mounting surface on each side. Which gives me about 65.25" to 65.5". From what I've read, the 57-72 flange to flange is 57". Is this measured from the inside of each, like I did, or the outside of each? Also it says 61" in the tech article. I guess if it's possible, can anyone measure by using the same locating methods I used, to give me the 57-72 measurements? My '48's original rear is missing the drums, so the wms to wms isn't possible. What I ultimately want to do is shorten my 73-79 F150 housing tubes to earlier width, and swap in my 31 spline, 3" brake drum assembly by either buying 31 spline axle shafts at 57-72 width, or shorten my axleshafts and respline them. my PO swapped a '76 9" rear in, and left it wide, which I suspect he didn't know. Which leaves me with having to do a rear end afterall. Again, 2 steps forward, 3 steps back.

 

IIRC, the 57" is outside to outside - where the backing plates bolt on. The tech article is mostly accurate - actual wheel flange to wheel flange (outside to outside) is 61.25". This is for 48-72 at least, maybe earlier too........

I know it doesn't tell you everything you asked for, but it's all I'm sure of.

 

Thanks, assuming the flange is 1/4" thick, I have a 56.5" inside. taken away from my 59.88", it would net 1.69" removed on each tube. I can go with that. Lets just hope the backing plates recess the same between the years. As for outside wheel flange to wheel flange, that is what I assumed the measurements came from. The confusion among all the sites I looked at is misperception in which flange everyone is talking about wheel flange, or housing flange, etc...

 

STANDARDS, We Need Standards, We can't operate with out standards.


Whew, I'm glad I got that outa my system.

 

The measurements provided in my tech article are per X in Penn Dick's little drawing.

 

4tl8ford, that's a good picture, thats what we're talking about!!Thanks!

 

I stole it, thanks

 

see, now that makes sense to me. Now only if the other sites would follow the same guidelines. Lol

65.5" - drum thickness,should be about 65.00" then.

 

Hey Scott,

Don't sweat the fractions. Make adjustments with the Wheel Offset

 

I will. I just get wrapped up in numbers, because that's what I do at work all day, lol. Anyhow, with a base number to go off of, I'm gonna shorten my axle tubes, and see if the pads will line up in the same spot. Boy, wouldn't that work slick.

 

I just went back to pull up an other diagram to use.
I got into a onesided conversation with myself and lost.
Supposidly I don't understand the diagram and I can't explain it.
Go Figure

 

I don't remember the measurements cause I did the swap about 18 or 19 years ago. I snagged a 9" from a 68 F100 (long bed) to replace my 52 F1's rear and it bolted right in. The width was the same. The perches were even the same width but I did have to cut them loose and adjust the pinion angle and make shock mounts because I couldn't use the 52 hardware on the larger axle tubes. I later discovered I got 31 spline axles too.
Rick

 

Now there's a bonus!

I have 6 9" rears from 73-79, 2 8.8's from 1985 and 89 respectively, and a 66 bronco 9". I also have an 8" from my Merc, tbird, etc.... My first plan is to take the measurements in the prvious posts, and shorten yet another 1/2", I should be able to fit some wide wheels under my '48, and still retain the bigger bearings, brakes, and 31 spline axles. If I stumble upon a 57-72 9", I'll probably just get that for my "new" '48, as that one will have the original drivetrain otherwise, and shouldn't need extra beef. I'll make one for my Merc, and one more for my future project, and leave a couple for spares. I'll then have justified buying the jig from Moser, lol. Sorry, I'm just thinking aloud this morning.

PS: I have a full machine and weld shop at work, so it shouldn't be too bad.

 

Havi do you happen to have one of the stock Dana axles out of the 48's? The housing is the exact same width as the later 9"'s. It would give you the measurement you need.

I know my 1951 Dana 44 axles were the same length as a 1969 9" and the later brakes were a direct bolt on.

 

Nathan, I have 2 of them, but neither have the drums on them, and both are buried in the snowbanks.

Eventually I'll get them out and measured, but right now, I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row without venturing outside, lol. BTW, have you done any dyno sim. with your stroker 302?