cking c/l and see a '86 3/4 ton rear "complete" from a dodge truck.
it seems a little to new to swap out for my truck... comments pls..
don't know gear ratio yet or measure measurements. just looking for opinion.
'49 F2 going into.

 

What is the goal with swapping out the rear?

 

mainly to get a better road tk.. 486 gears suck.. i've already found a '70 ford with 411 gears for great price but it's in the mud and not sure of the cond of brakes or if it has e-brake cables.. the dodge rear guy told me it's a 350 gear set so that's not gonna work. but he does have GM 3/4T rears.. don't know if they will fit either.. just tossing my options.. tks

 

Obviously, the deciding factor will be overall width and the location of the spring pads. With a flatbed and open wheels, your wheel location isn't as critical as if you're needing to stay under fenders. Take some measurements and see what you can find.

 

Just curious as to why the 3.50 gear set won't work. I always liked it as a good compromise between highway and towing.

 

I agree 3:50 to 3:73 gears would be a good fit for highway use and no overdrive assuming you are running taller tires that would normally be on a 3/4 ton truck. I use 235/85/15s on my 1 ton pickup and 4:10 gears, has overdrive and without it would be better with the 3:50 to 3:73.

 

u have a syncro trans i believe, mine is not. so using a 373 to 350 ratio would be a problem going up a hill.. down shifting ??? i haven't learned that yet. i feel i'm at the upper RPM level doing 55 mph the 411's would get me 60+. not wanting to do 60 just easier on the engine at 55..
but the other question while i'm thinking of it.. i have a lead on a 8ft truck bed and i'm wondering if someone has the cross measurements of the fenders. looking for side to side of inside of fender and outside measurements..
it will be something like 4ft inside and 6 ft outside.. the '70 rear i've seen is something like 4" wider then mine.. will it fit ???????????????????

 

Ford truck axles are the same width through 1972. The axles got wider with the 1973 models.

 

I am sure someone with more knowledge will chime in, but I believe the F2 box is 6" wider than the F1, while the fenders are narrower. I thought this combo gave the same overall width. My F1 box measures 49.5" inside at the rear of the bed, and I thought I read that the F2 was 54".

 

Yes, the overall width of the F-1 and F-2 is the same. The F-2 box is wider than the F-1 box, and the F-2 fenders are narrower.