Guys,
I have a 1949 Ford f1 that I am in the process of rebuilding. The current rear end has seen better days and I am hoping to upgrade. I have heard a lot of good things about the 9 inch ford diff. Just interested in what are my options and can I purchase one that will bolt right in.. thanks for your help
Joe

 

your best bet is a 57-72 f100 rear end. As I understand, many of those are 9 inchers. Any rear end out of one of these trucks will bolt right in, with, at most, a driveline swap to make it fit. but I think the swap is only necessary if you get one of those weird rear diffs.

 

Best to read the definitive reference for accurate information: 1948 through 1960 Ford F-1 and F-100 Rear Axle (differential) Swaps - Ford Trucks
All the 57-82 F100 real axles were 9" The are almost "a bolt in".

 

I thought the same thing, I ended up doing a 8.8 out of a 1996 explorer, 3:73 gears posi, disc break set up and the width is super close, something to think about.....joe

 

ALMOST all 57-82 were 9" but some were still dana 44s


number dummy will be along shortly with the facts

 

It's 57 - 72 for the ones with correct width. 73+ are wider.