Rear end question
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Nashville
Rear end question
I have seen lots of reference to finding a rear end out of a 57 to 60 F 100 to bolt into a 53 to 56 since you can pretty much choose your gear ratios. My question is, are there not ring and pinion sets available for the 53 to 56 rear ends to achieve the same thing? Are there other reasons to switch to the later 9 inch?
Jeff
Jeff
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jmoore,
It's actually 57 to 72 that is a bolt in.
I beleive the reason most people go to a later rear end (and the reason that I did) is;
- for the wider selection of gear ratios
- better brakes
- belief that the later rear ends are stronger
- the perceived ease of getting parts in future without paying a premium for "genuine, vintage 53-56 parts".
There are ring and pinion sets available for the original rear ends but the ratios tend to be higher (numerically). I know you can get 2.75:1, 3.25:1 and 4.55:1 I think you can get 4.10 or 4.11:1 That's about all I know of. However, you can get an entire late model rear end (including the Exploder) for less money than the gennie ring and pinion sets.
Regards,
It's actually 57 to 72 that is a bolt in.
I beleive the reason most people go to a later rear end (and the reason that I did) is;
- for the wider selection of gear ratios
- better brakes
- belief that the later rear ends are stronger
- the perceived ease of getting parts in future without paying a premium for "genuine, vintage 53-56 parts".
There are ring and pinion sets available for the original rear ends but the ratios tend to be higher (numerically). I know you can get 2.75:1, 3.25:1 and 4.55:1 I think you can get 4.10 or 4.11:1 That's about all I know of. However, you can get an entire late model rear end (including the Exploder) for less money than the gennie ring and pinion sets.
Regards,
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Boise, Idaho
What fergie said.
The stock rear axle is a Dana 44. I think it has 19 spline axles. There's all manner of Dana 44 stuff used in Jeeps, Chevys, International, and Dodge vehicles.
To go to a lower than 3.71 ratio, you'll have to change carriers.
It's easier to find and swap an entire 9" rear axle, they bolt up. But now that I have a 9" to install, I've been looking at the Dana and considering alternatives.
The stock rear axle is a Dana 44. I think it has 19 spline axles. There's all manner of Dana 44 stuff used in Jeeps, Chevys, International, and Dodge vehicles.
To go to a lower than 3.71 ratio, you'll have to change carriers.
It's easier to find and swap an entire 9" rear axle, they bolt up. But now that I have a 9" to install, I've been looking at the Dana and considering alternatives.
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From: Boise, Idaho
Bingo. Or perhaps more like John. When I get it done perfectly, I'll rip it out and put the Dana in there with some 3.54 gears.
At this point I have two engines, a 223 and a 312, two transmissions, 3sp and 3sp/OD, and two rear axles, and two front ends, the stock I beam, and the Gibbons/Cordoba kit. I'm working on a third transmission, an automatic, probably an FMX.
As soon as I get the 223 back together, I'll be working on the 312. The 9 inch is slowly but surely coming together, I'm getting an axle shaft from a 74 Torino. I located a truck bellhousing for an automatic, too. It aint logical, it's fun.
At this point I have two engines, a 223 and a 312, two transmissions, 3sp and 3sp/OD, and two rear axles, and two front ends, the stock I beam, and the Gibbons/Cordoba kit. I'm working on a third transmission, an automatic, probably an FMX.
As soon as I get the 223 back together, I'll be working on the 312. The 9 inch is slowly but surely coming together, I'm getting an axle shaft from a 74 Torino. I located a truck bellhousing for an automatic, too. It aint logical, it's fun.
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From: Nashville
Okay. Believe it or not, after all of the detail in the kind replies to my posting, I still have some confusion. My confusion is based on some information I got from someone else. I am going to assume that the info I get here is correct. My remaining question is, although the rear end out of a 57 to 72 is a direct bolt in, are the brakes also directly swappable? The PO just completely redid the brake system in this truck and I don't want to have to redo any work that I ultimately paid for. Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff
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So your question is -
"Will the brand new brake components from your 53-56 stock Ford F100 rear end fit onto a stock 57-72 F100 rear end?"
Sorry, I don't know the answer. It would be interesting to know the part #s for both backing plates. I think that would help answer the question.......
I suspect the 53-56 brake shoes are 1 & 1/2 inch wide whereas the 57-72 are likely 1 & 3/4 or 2" wide. (My Mustang sourced rear end has 2" brakes. I can't remember what my 54's were. George would likely know).
The more I think out loud here, the more I think the components won't swap over.......
Anyone?
"Will the brand new brake components from your 53-56 stock Ford F100 rear end fit onto a stock 57-72 F100 rear end?"
Sorry, I don't know the answer. It would be interesting to know the part #s for both backing plates. I think that would help answer the question.......
I suspect the 53-56 brake shoes are 1 & 1/2 inch wide whereas the 57-72 are likely 1 & 3/4 or 2" wide. (My Mustang sourced rear end has 2" brakes. I can't remember what my 54's were. George would likely know).
The more I think out loud here, the more I think the components won't swap over.......
Anyone?
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Posting Guru
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From: Boise, Idaho
I was thinking the opposite; the carrier and gears and maybe the shafts and housing are Dana/Spicer, but the brakes are Ford.
Either way, rebuilding brakes is not very expensive.
Either way, rebuilding brakes is not very expensive.
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I had recently rebuilt my entire brake system when I decided to install the 9" in my '48. Discovered the backing plates swap perfectly between the Dana 44 and the 9". Keep your current brake unit together as is...........
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From: Nashville
Hello,
Thank you very much ferguson777, pcmenten, and mtflat for the help. Earl gets an honorable mention for the wink. I have to say that this forum has made decision making so much easier for me as to what to do to my truck. I am now trying to locate a rear end from anything from a 57 to 72. I have located a 67 and a 70 in a local junkyard. The tags are gone and I don't know how to identify the gears. Anyone know an easy way to ID in the yard?
Also, if I should choose to get the replacement rear rebuilt, where do I go to find the ring and pinion set, bearings, seals, etc? Anyone know of a good vendor?
Thanks,
Jeff
Thank you very much ferguson777, pcmenten, and mtflat for the help. Earl gets an honorable mention for the wink. I have to say that this forum has made decision making so much easier for me as to what to do to my truck. I am now trying to locate a rear end from anything from a 57 to 72. I have located a 67 and a 70 in a local junkyard. The tags are gone and I don't know how to identify the gears. Anyone know an easy way to ID in the yard?
Also, if I should choose to get the replacement rear rebuilt, where do I go to find the ring and pinion set, bearings, seals, etc? Anyone know of a good vendor?
Thanks,
Jeff
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Iowa
"Also, if I should choose to get the replacement rear rebuilt, where do I go to find the ring and pinion set, bearings, seals, etc? Anyone know of a good vendor?"
Jeff
Parts will be easy for a nine inch rear. If you are having it rebuilt, I would speak with the rebuilder first. By the time you pay shipping on this heavy stuff, you may be better off letting your rebuilder make a couple bucks on parts. If you do buy your own parts, the 4x4 magazines are loaded with vendors. Summit Racing and Jegs from Ohio also stock 9 inch stuff.
Jeff
Parts will be easy for a nine inch rear. If you are having it rebuilt, I would speak with the rebuilder first. By the time you pay shipping on this heavy stuff, you may be better off letting your rebuilder make a couple bucks on parts. If you do buy your own parts, the 4x4 magazines are loaded with vendors. Summit Racing and Jegs from Ohio also stock 9 inch stuff.