'57 came stock with a Ford 9". Can't you get a 9" with rear discs, with a better choice of ratios? Or am I mistaken?

 

It turns out that my rear was not the original 57' with a 9". It was some Chrysler rear from the 70s in need of a complete rebuild. I ended up using a 1997 Explorer v8 rear with 3.73 gears and disk brakes. The gentleman that flipped the perches for me is dropping it off at my house today so I can just bolt it in. I am going to trial fit it this afternoon and try to take some pics.

 

Ramracer21, I had the same problem. The PO stuck a GM 10 bolt under the 53 I bought and when I pulled the inspection cover water and gunk poured out. I got a 8.8 rear at the pull a parts for 65 dollars plus 12 dollar core charge. I flipped the spring perches added shock mounts and used the 3.5 inch u bolts and plates off the Explorer and it bolted right up. Its going to be a little tight, only have about an inch on each side between tire and bed sides. Haven't got to that point yet but just took some measurements with a tape. Pics in gallery.

 

Lakotas53,

Looks great! I should have kept the u-bolts from the explorer I didnt know they were 3.5 inches. I just tried the plate from the 57' and they dont fit right. Thanks for the heads up. I am going to the junk yard on Saturday to get the bolts and plates from the explorer.

 

Ahhh, OK. That makes sense.

POs always throw a monkey wrench in the mechanism ... pulling a Ford 9" for a Chrysler axle? That's just silly.

 

I just finished trial fitting the explorer rear. I put some pics on my gallery. Let me know what you think. I also put some pics of the truck when I got it. For $500 not bad I think.

 

lookin good

Sam

 

Hey Ramracer21 looking good! I just noticed in your 2nd pic on the 2nd row, you have a bracket held by three bolts next to the pinion flange. Looks like a shock bracket, mine had about a 10 pound round "thingamajig" hanging down with nothing attached. I wonder what that is and is it ok to just leave it off? Looked almost like a counterweight or something like that.
Wished I had of got that much truck for $500. You done good. Lakota

 

Lakotas53,

Im thinking of removing that bracket. It did have a shock on there before. Right now Im trying to see if I can use the sway bar. On Saturday Im going to go get the drive shaft from another v8 explorer since someone had already removed the one I took the rear from. Im also going to get the ubolts and brackets too. I will keep you posted on my progress.

 

I have picked up an explorer rearend to put under my '50 F-1, and as Lakotas53 mentioned, his had a 10# round "thingamajig" hanging there with nothing attached. So does mine....can someone tell me what it is and what does it do?

 

Village7, First welcome to FTE, I still don't know what it is but I just left it off. But hung onto it just in case. I have moved on to the front end and set the motor but thats about it. Money has been tight. May be a long time before I can get it road ready to see if it makes a difference. If I find out what it is I'll let ya know!

 

Welcome to FTE

Hanging there: F77Z4A263AA .. Rear Axle Vibration Damper

F77Z4A489AAA .. Rear Axle Absorber = This fits to the damper, t'other end attaches to a U shaped bracket on the right frame rail.

On some car models as far back as the 1960's, a similar device hung from the extension housing, but there was no absorber attached to it.

 

I'm putting a complete Explorer rolling chassis under one of my '53's. I originally intended to use an older Explorer I have with the drum brakes. I also have a pristine '95 Explorer and I did some checking, It looks as though the disc brakes from the later models will bolt right onto the older Explorer rear ends. I have been reminded that you also need to use the part of the braking system that equalizes the braking pressure. I can't remember right off what it is called. I suspect that if you could use the disc brake set up from the later Explorer you might also be able to find something on other Ford models that would work. Number Dummy would probably be able to tell you what would work.

Later Man...

 

Brake Differential Proportioning Valve, which on most Ford vehicles with discs, is mounted below the master cylinder adjacent to the steering gear box, or on the outside of the left frame rail inboard of the left front wheel.

 

Yah, that's the thing. I knew you'd be there to clarify that. I was counting on it.

Later Man...