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Jun 20, 2013 | 08:31 AM

coon555

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Joined: Jun 2013

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Another New Member

I'm new to this site and had some questions. I'm looking at trading my Dyna Wide Glide for a 1951 F-3. All original with 16770 miles on the flat head v8. The truck runs like a top but needs a gas tank and brake work. I have several questions that hopefully ya'll can answer.

I have done some looking and see that allot of people change the rear ends to get a highway gear. I want to get the f-3 so it can go down the road at "todays" speed limits safely. I know the most popular rear end is the 9" and I'm more than happy using one but I don't have the cash flow to buy one and change the gearing. I was looking at a fox body mustang rear end with 3.83 gears. It already has disc brake setup for $200. I'm just not sure if it's going to be long enough. Here is all my questions and please understand I don't have the truck in my possession to take measurements. I'm having to rely on the answers I get to make a good decision on trade.

What rear end did you use?

From what vehicles can I pull a rear end and the factory gears work and the length is right?

Is there anything I need to worry about as far as this old truck having as little miles on it as it does?

What front end is everyone using? Is most everyone using the factory front end and using wheel adaptors from 8 lug to 5?

If you can help with any of my questions, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Jonathon

Jun 20, 2013 | 08:55 AM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,300

Likes: 1,059

From: NM

Welcome to the form!

These are very common questions so the answers have been captured here:

1953 - 1956 F100 Rear End Selection and Rear Suspension Lowering .: Articles (says it's for 53-56 but it's the same for 48-52)

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-for-fte.html

Front suspension:
53-79 F-Series Steering & Suspension .: Articles

Jun 20, 2013 | 09:43 AM

Harrier

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 9,691

Likes: 1,256

From: Jefferson City, MO

Welcome to FTE, we are glad you have joined us.
Here is a thread with a bunch of articles.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-articles.html
It is one of the sticky threads. It has a lot about front ends, but I didn't see anything about the different rear options. I know there is an article about them somewhere.

Edit: Ross beat me too all the articles. Teach me to start a reply and leave it for an hour or so.

Jun 20, 2013 | 10:20 AM

AXracer

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 15,882

Likes: 88

From: Durham NC

3.83 is still a little steep for a flathead at 60+ MPH depending on tire size. I assume since you want to go for 5 lugs you want to run wheels in the 15" range. 9" rears are popular because they are well liked by the HP boys for their strength (with the right internal parts), and the right years bolt in place and match the front bolt pattern but are starting to get harder to find and expensive, especially with a "good" ratio and the strength of a stock unit is somewhat over rated and not needed for cruising the highway.
Today, the 8.8 is a good choice, available in a number of useful ratios, can be found with disk brakes and leaf spring mounts that match the earlier spring spacing (Explorer) . The only problem is the width is a little too narrow, but that is easily overcome with a pair of 1" spacers. The spacers can also change the bolt pattern. There really isn't a lot of differences in the chassis between the F1 and F3 except the springs and hubs. There are people on here that can give you more info on interchangeability, I'm more well versed in the smaller models and the 53-56s.
Speedway and others sell a reasonably priced adapter kit to bolt a late model Tremec T5 5 speed OD tranny behind your flattie, giving you a modern fully syncroed tranny with good ratios for the flatty and OD for cruising speed and mileage, a popular conversion.