Hello all, I was told the 48 - 56 forum was a best match for questions and opinion on my project..... I am just a beginner in all this forum thing so hope i am doing this right...

I recently purchased a 1946 ford pickup... since i planed to modify it i did the best i could with the budget i had. Honestly i believe i did pretty darn good...

I found a 1946 with a 1964 small block in it, seller had told me it was a 302 but after some research i have discovered i have either a 260 or 289 (5 bolt bell housing pattern) Will only know for sure after i pull it out.
Stock 3 gear transmission with stock rear axle.

I will be doing a Complete overhaul. 351C (already have the long block), T5 world class (mustang) with s10 tail, and will be doing mustang 2 front with power steering and coil overs.

Now the question and or problem comes in here.... rear end. I had planned a 4 link with coil over but i am afraid the stock diff wont hold the 351C and T5. What would you guys recommend? Since the 4 link is welded directly on the axle i want to do it right the first time.... I do however want to keep the 5 in 5.5 bolt pattern. And obviously keep expenses down as much as possible.

I will add some pictures of the car and and will be updating everything as i start getting things done

oh and by the way... everything that comes out of the truck will be available if anyone is interested also just let me know.


Truck as it sits today

351C long block

T5 transmission

 

Welcome to the forum! Love your truck. Love your plan. It sounds like it's going to be a fun ride. For your rear end question, I'd look for a 9" rear end from a 57-72 F-100. It will keep the wheel bolt pattern you want, and should be the right width to work for you. I'm not positive, but I think the 42-47's are the same track width as the 48-56 trucks, or at least real close. Someone will be along shortly to correct me if needed. The 9" mentioned is a bolt in on the 48-56 trucks using the stock leaf springs. 73 and later trucks have a wider rear end width so fitting those in is much more problematic without surgery.

 

Welcome! I'll be following along and I like what you're putting together. From pns I found 42-47 half-tons and 48 F1s use many of the same parts.
As Wayne said, it's hard to beat a 9" from the years he noted. They bolt right in.
You can check your rear measurement - you want 61.25" drum to drum where the wheel bolts on. It's been years but I believe axle stub to axle stub is 57" for the 9" and the 48-52s.
If you can't find a 9" locally, an 8.8" is strong enough to handle your hp but may require additional work.
Tim

 

welcome to fte the best forum there is.i love your truck.i see that you have great plans for it and you are on the right track.these guys are great and always willing to help.

 

Just updating this forum as promised....

Already guys.... finally my truck is in the shop.

so in the long 5 months of waiting a lot has happened... still going with mustang 2 front power steering and coil overs, 351C stock 2v heads, Weiand X-celeraror manifold, CVF Racing full serpentine kit, and nice 351 Cleveland valve cover.... got a Dakota digital dash to go with all that.

Rear end, will be doing a 4 link with coil, notch to frame and might end up lifting the truck bed or not, depending on how low it sits... ended up getting a custom 9 inch from Currie enterprise, added some disk brakes to that and kept everything at 5x5.5 bold pattern. The third member i went with a speedway motor posi traction with a 3.25 ratio.

i am still going with the T5 transmission.

As far as brakes go, disk on all 4 with a power brake conversion and dual 7 inch booster with adjustable proportioning valve.

will probably end up getting Detroit Steel wheels 18x8 front and 18x9 rear with some low profile Diamond Back white wall tires.

contemplating about the fuel tank under the seat. Not sure if i want to remove it and install a new one under the bed or keep the one under the seat.

While doing the engine swap will shave firewall and do a complete rewire of the whole car...

Will probably keep original steering column and steering wheel and might add some 12v wipers to the car in case it rains... that vacuum operated driver wiper does no good lol.

I believe that is all for now... but as you all know... more things will probably happen.

I will try to add some pictures as we go along with the build and keep you guys posted. Let me know what you guys think.

 

Original rear end and suspension out

New stance

Measuring and cleaning for new rear end

Still need to make “C” notch and grt it a bit lower. Raise the bed floor about 3 inches to clear new currie 9” rear end.

 

Great looking project. I am keeping my 47 stock. Would you still have the rearend? And would you sell it?

 

Best of luck - this thread is almost 4 years old. That said, that looks like a banjo rear end. I'd think those would be easier to source from a traditional hot rod crowd, where they are plentiful vs. a truck forum, as those 41-46 trucks are just not as common as say the 48-56 models. Somebody could tell you whether older banjo rear ends and axles are similar enough to your truck's original.

 

Or jump over to the 47 and older forum and ask around. It's not as active as this forum, but still a great bunch of people.