Looking for some advice on companies I should check out for kits when rebuilding the rear end in my 66. I'm looking to do the whole thing. Thank you in advance.

 

I can’t help you about a company but I can tell you that the Ford 9" third member is a job that is do-able on the workbench at home. Bearing and seal kits are available through the common vendors. The axle housing can be left on the truck or removed. I did take the axles to the local garage to have the old bearings cut off and new ones pressed on. If you have a Harbor Freight press, removing and installing the bearings on the third member (ring gear assembly) is not difficult. Setting the gear lash and adjusting pinion depth can be done at a local garage before axle installation. But all in all, if I can do it, you can too.. A HF press is affordable and worth having to do other jobs too (a low dollar seal install kit is worth having too). Nothing too technical about this task.

The best companion is the repair and assembly manual. Be sure to mark the left and right side bearing caps and adjusters. Videos and instructions are on the net to visually see the process.









Tools to accomplish 95% of the tasks (less setting gear lash done at local shop) (I take the approach of acquiring tools than paying for labor....longer lasting return on the investment, builds skills, and the shop is more capable for other projects...saving money in the long run once over the initial investment)

HF floor standing press (20 ton is 200 and 12 ton is 140.)
spanner wrench (or make one)
Bearing, race, and seal driver kit (about 30.00)
Torque wrench
Axle puller tool kit (with slide hammer) (100.00)
Bearing puller set - (50.00).

 

Tedious, time consuming and repetitive.

There are many videos that show how it's done. Getting the gear pattern is important, and you must keep after it until you get it right. "Close enough" leads to a howler, which leades to an early failure.

Do you have a 9 inch or a Dana? The 9 inch can be done on the bench, the Dana is either under the truck or the whole axle has to come out.

 

I have the 9 inch