1979 Rear end issue
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Cave Spring Georgia
1979 Rear end issue
First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! I got a 1979 Ford F100 truck from my father in law when he passed away last year. I am in the Army and currently deployed to Kosovo on a Peace Keeping Mission. The rear end has been replaced onvce in the truck but is on it's last leg, ring and pinion is worn, one axle is slightly bent, rear seal leaks. I want to replace the axle and both the springs when I am home on leave. Does anyone know what year trucks and vans that would make it a direct exchange and is there any kind of code on the rear end tag I should look for? I am months away from coming home but it just bugs me.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Stanley, VA
1973-79 F100-150 should be a direct swap, not sure about vans though. The warranty plate on the door will have an axle code to tell you exactly what rear was in your truck originally. The vast majority of them were Ford 9", however, there are a few that came from the factory with a Dana 44 rear. The Ford 9" has a center section that drops out, the Dana 44 has a cover on the rear instead of a drop out center section.
Originally the rear had a metal tag that was held on by one of the bolts on the center section but seeing as yours has been replaced the tag is most likely nissing.
Originally the rear had a metal tag that was held on by one of the bolts on the center section but seeing as yours has been replaced the tag is most likely nissing.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Cave Spring Georgia
Thanks Mike,
There are some junk yards around home that have a few 73-79's on the yard, I figure they will still be there when I get home. It currently has the removable section so I will try and find another 9 inch along with the springs, I noticed they were trashed before I left. The engine and transmission are jam up, want to get the brakes and rearend problems corrected first then start on body stuff.
My trucks has 2 idiot lights and plan on changing them to guages, your cluster is awesome. Now that I am finally done with training and in Kosovo I have been keeping up with your rebuild. Impressive, you do great work.
There are some junk yards around home that have a few 73-79's on the yard, I figure they will still be there when I get home. It currently has the removable section so I will try and find another 9 inch along with the springs, I noticed they were trashed before I left. The engine and transmission are jam up, want to get the brakes and rearend problems corrected first then start on body stuff.
My trucks has 2 idiot lights and plan on changing them to guages, your cluster is awesome. Now that I am finally done with training and in Kosovo I have been keeping up with your rebuild. Impressive, you do great work.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Thank you for your service. A couple notes. Forget the van diffs, different spring perch width afaik. And keep the idiot lights AND add an gauge. Use a T fitting for the senders. Those lights will sometimes catch your eye before you check the gauge. Serving suggestion, ymmv, good luck with it.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Stanley, VA
Thanks for the kind words, ChiefM.
Agreed, changing from idiot lights to factory gauges isn't that simple.
Besides having to change the cluster, you also must change the main wiring harness and the alternator wiring harness, and once you're done you have a gauge set that is questionably accurate (and the ammeter probably isn't going to work anyway).
Keep your stock cluster and add a set of high quality aftermarket gauges.
Agreed, changing from idiot lights to factory gauges isn't that simple.
Besides having to change the cluster, you also must change the main wiring harness and the alternator wiring harness, and once you're done you have a gauge set that is questionably accurate (and the ammeter probably isn't going to work anyway).
Keep your stock cluster and add a set of high quality aftermarket gauges.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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On the springs, you may get lucky and find a used set that isn't sagged or cracked. If not, they are pretty reasonable new. Check the yellow pages in your area for "automotive springs" or "truck springs" - there will likley be one or more spring shops in your area that can order a set in a couple days. Or go on line... LMC truck, JC Whitney and others should have them.
Either way, plan on a set of new U bolts. After a few years of weathering, the fine threads just won't disassemble. Best to just cut the old ones off and start fresh.
Either way, plan on a set of new U bolts. After a few years of weathering, the fine threads just won't disassemble. Best to just cut the old ones off and start fresh.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: South west Idaho
If you change just the third member you need to check to see which axles you have. Most 79 f-100s will have a 28 spline axle like mine had and the f-150s most likely will have the 31 spline axle,like all three of my 79 f-150s had. I would just get a complete rear if possible. A lot of people don't realize the 78/79 bronco 9 in. rear is the same and will change out. After looking for a rear for my bronco and getting high cost estimates for one i did a little checking. I had a f-150 i was parting out,they were the same. 
You just have to remove all of the bronco hardware,which is bolted on and use the f-100 or f-150 hardware to make it work.You do not need to cut or weld anything. I would not have done it if that had been the case. I was lucky the f-150 rear was the same 3:50 to 1:00 ratio i needed . I'm sure the salvage yards know this ,some of them just want to stick it to the bronco owners because they want more for a bronco rear than a f-150 rear.
You just have to remove all of the bronco hardware,which is bolted on and use the f-100 or f-150 hardware to make it work.You do not need to cut or weld anything. I would not have done it if that had been the case. I was lucky the f-150 rear was the same 3:50 to 1:00 ratio i needed . I'm sure the salvage yards know this ,some of them just want to stick it to the bronco owners because they want more for a bronco rear than a f-150 rear.
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