Hi Guys,

I am FINALLY starting on my '50 F47. My vision is to use the original flathead with 3 deuces, finned heads, t-5 and 4 wheel discs.

My question is what are you guys recommending for a replacement differential. I would like 3:73 gears and rear disc brakes. Explorer?
Also what years would be best?

Thanks,
Larry

 

Hi Larry, the Explorer 8" will fit but will need a lot of work messing with the spring pads & shock mounts, look for a 95 or newer that have disk brakes. Also you could also use a Ford 9" form a F100, (57-73) years will fit with little modifications. I have a 64 rear end in my 49 F1, it was a direct fit but doesn't have disk brakes. Good luck with your project.

 

Duplicate Post

 

 

In 1973, Ford increased the width between the inner frame rails behind the cab on F100/250 2WD's from 33 1/2" used previously to 37 1/2."

 

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated.

 

I used a 2001 Explorer Sportrac 8.8" rear axle. The ratio is 4:10 which is a little lower than I wanted but that seems to be just fine as I am running a 4R70W auto trans from a 2004 F150 that has a 30% overdrive. I think that the T-5 has 30% too. I did have to cut off the spring perches and re-weld them to the opposite side. If you do that make sure that you get them welded so that the pinion angle is correct else you may have a vibration at highway speed.

Mine came with drum brakes which is fine as 70% of the braking is done by the front which are disc brakes. You just want them to keep you straight while braking and provide park brakes.




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Hey Larry,
Good to see you getting after it! We used a 2001 Explorer 8.8 for our 1950 F1.
I think we paid $225 at the salvage yard. They have tags on them so you can see what
sort of gearing, etc. We went with 3.73 gears, disc brakes, & a limited slip diff.
It's a (1) or (2) weekend job at most.

Some Thoughts:
o We used the Emergency brake set up from that Explorer. That put's the handle down in the left
footwell. A nice set up.
o The Explorer 8.8 will change your wheel stud to a car set up 5x4.5(?). (Lot's of Wheel options just not your original 5x5 set up).
o We also used the Explorer 3 Spring set up. I was a little concerned that it wouldn't be able to handle the pickup
duties of hauling stuff. It's been just fine..we've hauled all kinds of stuff.
o We ended up using 2 inch wheel spacers to get our wheels to look right in the fender opening.
o We also flipped our springs after looking at the stance once we installed a Mustang II style IFS up front.
The back needed to be lower. I think we used Ford Ranger shackles.
o Our particular 8.8 came with a weird 3rd shock mounted on top of the differential. We couldn't figure out
what to do with that & just cut it off.
o Not all 8.8 axles are the same. You want the larger more durable 31 spline version. There are a lot of Ford Rangers with the 28 splines.

Good luck up there. We liked this project - it made a lot of difference & was pretty straight forward.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

The Explorer rear ends are pretty easy to find at the Pick n Pull in Edmonton I paid under 200.00 for the unit in our 47 International

 

All Awesome info guys!

Thanks!

 

I used a 98 Explorer diff in my 56 and with off the shelf rims with a back spacing of 4 inches I put 8 inch wide rims but needed 1/4 inch spacers with were cheaper than custom made rims..