Just a random thought, but I don't know the 2 speed rear ends that well.

Would it be possible to switch the gears so instead of just low and normal you could have low and high? Allowing for better highway use.

 

the highest ratio for your housing is 5.83/8.11

 

Yeah.....

There is only low and high. The highest ratio is 5.83:1 If you want tall gears you need to use an OD transmission. That's why I went to an E4OD to use with my 2 speed.


Cheers,


Rick

 

They never made any other gears for it? Nothing that can be used?

 

well, they did. 6.33 I think. The tallest ratio though was 5.83.

Unless you switch to a completely different later model axle you're stuck with the 5.83 axle.

You could switch to a later model engine 300 I6 or 302/351 that would match up to a ZF-S-542/547. You would then have a 5 speed with a 0.8 OD. If you did that you would also have to get a tailshaft mounted parking brake. They're available but they're not cheap.

 

Well thats no fun. Just seems to me that it would be a useful idea. I've never split one open, I only know 8" and 9" Fords. Just be interesting if you could get a modern gear to work for one of them. Oh well.

 

Keep in mind these trucks were not powered by 300+HP turbo diesels. Anything higher and the truck couldn't pull it. They do what the were built to do and did it well when the speed limit for trucks was 45mph. But things change.

 

You could use a dana 80 with the same 6 lug bolt circle as your ford. There found in step vans/ bread trucks. There are many ratios avilable for them. I'm going to use one on my 56 f600. (Picts. in gallery)