My truck is a 54 with the 223 engine, just rebuilt. Transmission is 3-speed on the column. The major thing left to do is change the rear end ratio; it is 4.27. Needless to say, I'm getting tired of going 40 mph.

Salvage yards are nowhere near here, so I don't really want to change the whole rear end. Is it possible to just get different gears installed to change the ratio to something like 3.25 or 3.50? That's what I'd like to do, but I checked with a shop in this area and they don't know of anyone who supplies the parts.

Anybody know of any suppliers of the required parts?

Thanks

 

I have a full rear end from my 54, and if the ID tag matches the rear, it's a 3.92. Would you be interested?

 

Joners,

Shoogdoog appears to be in West Virginia - a bit far for freighting something heavy like a rear end.

There's a good chance our host has ring & pinions in different ratios for your old rear end. I know MACs does and I suspect LMC does as well.

Later,

 

Ya but if he can get it for the cost of shipping, why not?

 

Ferguson,
can you change rings and pinions in a '54 rear end? I thought you could only do that to a 9" rear???

My rear (3.92 original in my '54) is leaking. I bought a new gasket but my garage man can not replace it because he can not get the sleeve off. He tried a press but it slips off the rear end. What to do? I must do something soon as the underside of my bed is getting getting oil soaked.

I am thinking that if I have to remove the rear end to put a new gasket on would this be a good time to put a 9" rear in? If so, what ratio would be a good one for good pick-up and go and also good highway cruising speed?

 

My 54 is powered by the mighty 289 with a c4! It has a 9" rear that had 3.50s in it. The engine rpms were a little too high for my liking at freeway speeds. So Daryl let me have his old set of 3.00s. The change is great. I like the new set up much better. I suggest 3.00s. John

 

My earlier advise ain't worth spit......

LMC does not seem to sell R & P sets for anything older than 1967.

Mac's sell a 4.55-1 set for 1948-50 only - none for 51 - 56 (looks like MACs has all the other stuff to rebuild the 51-56 rear ends though)

Sac Vintage Ford sells 3.92-1, 4.09-1 and 4.27-1 for the 51-56 for $295.00 USD a set plus all their usual excessive surcharges.

So if you can get a used set from someone, you might wanna go for it.....

Changing them appears to be a real bear though. Looking my manual, you need several special tools to do the job, including one to spread the center case to get the guts out......

Glad I went with a 9"...............

 

Well I didn't need to use a spreader to get mine out. I'd removed the main caps then I pulled the axles. When I removed the last axle the carrier just rolled out. Maybe you just need it for the higher gears. You can get ratios from 2.78-4.68. The axle is really straight forward. Just remember where ths shims go. To change the ring just unbolt it from the carrier and to change the pinion just remove the pinion nut and gently tap the front with a rubber mallet and it comes right out.

 

Shoog,
I believe your truck (as does my '53 F100) uses a Dana 44 with 19 spline axles. If so, R&P's are readily available from several sources such as Randy's Ring & Pinion here in Everett. Just about any ratio is available that you can think of but you will have to change your carrier to step down to any 3.73 and numerically lower ratio. Your carrier and R&P is a highly desirable ratio for most offroaders. You might want to check with a local ofroad club to see if someone wants to buy it. Randy's R&P advertises in most all offroad and car/truck magazines or you can search the web for their URL. They are generous with information also.
Also someone mentioned that they did not need a case speader to remove their carrier. If so, I suggest you replace your bearings and/or shim the carrier. Without the proper preload you will very probably spin your bearing cone and ruin your carrier. Sometimes the housing can stretch a bit which will cause a loss of preload or worn bearings can do the same.
Grab an issue of 4Wheeler or Peterson's 4Wheel & Offroad magazine and there will be several good sources for R&P's in them.
If I can answer any questions, drop me an email. Hope this helps.