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State of NH requires annual vehicle safety inspections so went for a ride. First garage, I think this one's been closed for awhile.. anyway Shirley passed n/p.
So here is my rear axle and the only tag I could find. The truck is really low geared. Are there ring/pinion sets available for this axle?
Also I have clutch engagement chatter and adjuster rod all the way to the end of the threads. So looks like a clutch job in the future, will the tranny only come out through the floor or can it be removed from underneath?
Glad you passed. By now you've discovered that your inspection is good for TWO years. Mine is due again in 2016. Where in New Hampshire are you located?
Your rear axle is a 3.92 ratio if the tag is correct for the axle. Not sure about the '51 - '52 vintage but I think the rear axle is the same as my '49 and '50. If that's the case, then no after market axle gears are available. I do have a 3.73 axle though on my '50 which was available back in the day. If you find one of these that is not worn, you could install that.
The fact that these gears are not available in lower ratios is why people swap out axles for Ford 9" and 8.8 rear axles which are more popular as well as newer.
I took my 51 rear with 3.92 gears to Randy's Ring and Pinion in Everett, WA. I had it changed to 3.73 gears. A little more pricy as they had to replace the carrier as well. They also sell parts for these Dana 44 axels too.
Your rear axle is a 3.92 ratio if the tag is correct for the axle. Not sure about the '51 - '52 vintage but I think the rear axle is the same as my '49 and '50. If that's the case, then no after market axle gears are available. I do have a 3.73 axle though on my '50 which was available back in the day. If you find one of these that is not worn, you could install that.
The fact that these gears are not available in lower ratios is why people swap out axles for Ford 9" and 8.8 rear axles which are more popular as well as newer.
Actually, the 48-50 trucks came with Dana 41 rear ends. And, yes, the vast majority seemingly were 3.73's. The 51-52 trucks were equipped with Dana 44's. There are indeed some available aftermarket R and P swaps for the Dana 44's. But none of us have been able to find any replacement sets for the Dana 41's, AFAIK.
And speaking of inspections, in MD, you do not have to have inspections on older vehicles. My truck is 61 years old and when I registered it as historic, they said no inspection necessary. Pretty cool eh
You might be able to get the trans out the bottom but it would be a total PITA compared to removing the seat and tunnel cover, and lifting out the top. If you have the light duty 3-sp (column shift) it weighs maybe 50 lbs, easy to manhandle out. If you have the HD 3-sp or the boat anchor 4-sp, you can use a cherry picker thru the door. Last time I pulled mine, I had it out in an hour and a half, not really trying hard.
And speaking of inspections, in MD, you do not have to have inspections on older vehicles. My truck is 61 years old and when I registered it as historic, they said no inspection necessary. Pretty cool eh
In New Hampshire no inspections are required for original cars and trucks of 1948 and prior manufacture. Rods and cars/trucks manufactured after 1948 have to be inspected every two years. This is a recent change. Prior to that all cars of any year modified or not required inspection.
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