9'' Rear axle question
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Senior User
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From: new jersey
9'' Rear axle question
I have a 9" rear out of a 71 half ton trk in my 54 and would like to know how to tell if it is a large axle flange or small, i don't have a lot of experience in rearends so please don't take this as an idiot question 
i'm looking to put disc brakes on the back and don't know if it would be cheaper buy the kit or buy a whole nother rear with discs already on it. i'd like to keep the 9'', but it has the 5 1/2 bolt pattern which is undesireable 
just trying to figure out the best way to go, can anybody make any sense of this, i sure can't these pain pills i'm taken for my knee is really workin on me 
i'm looking to put disc brakes on the back and don't know if it would be cheaper buy the kit or buy a whole nother rear with discs already on it. i'd like to keep the 9'', but it has the 5 1/2 bolt pattern which is undesireable just trying to figure out the best way to go, can anybody make any sense of this, i sure can't these pain pills i'm taken for my knee is really workin on me
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
54,
You could probably replace the 9 inch with an Explorer rear with disc brakes cheaper than converting the 9 inch to discs and then sell the 9 inch to recoup much of your cost. However, it's only my opinion, but I think rear discs are overkill. It it were my truck I'd just keep the nine inch with drums and save myself the hassle.
Vern
You could probably replace the 9 inch with an Explorer rear with disc brakes cheaper than converting the 9 inch to discs and then sell the 9 inch to recoup much of your cost. However, it's only my opinion, but I think rear discs are overkill. It it were my truck I'd just keep the nine inch with drums and save myself the hassle.
Vern
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From: new jersey
Vern, your opinion is valued and i see your point, just thought it might be nice to have discs on it not only for the stoppin ability but also for ease and convience of the brake job.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Valley Center, CA
Fever, my 54 came with rear disks when I bought it. While it does help- the "cool" factor, I don't think it really helps the stopping distances of the truck. Most of your braking is accomplished by the front brakes with the rears tending to want to lock up since most of the weight is off of them during hard stops. As for the diameter of your axles, I believe that you will need to pull one side to know for sure. I'm with Vern, it seems like it would be easier to buy an explorer rear end than to adapt what you have now. John
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
If your engine doesn't or isn't likely to put out more than 500 HP you might consider using the 8.8" rear instead. Plenty beefy, good selection of ratios, easy to find, lower priced. Rear drums are actually more effective than disks since they are self energizing, and are no more difficult to service, but it sounds like the bolt pattern is the issue more than the brakes. You can measure the raised center of the axle flange to determine which bearing size you have (I don't have the chart handy) but I believe all the truck 9" were large bearing. There's a FAQ about rear axles on this site if you search.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Lancaster CA
My 50 had a nine in it when I bought it but like yours had the 5.5 bolt pattern. I fixed that after I bent the axle. You can do one of two things for the pattern problem. get them drilled for 4.5 or buy new axles. I boght new axles and wasnt that hard. Anyhow for the bearing problem just pull the axle and check the size. If I remember right I had the small bearing (suprized about that) it came from a 72 E150. I got the disks out back and it does look much "cooler" as for the prob of them locking up you need a pressure valve. mine dont ever lock unless i want them to Going the way that I did wasnt cheap though. 400(moser axles) 500 (eci brake kit) the pumpkin I had bought just a few months before so I wasnt about to change rears.
Going the way that I did wasnt cheap though. 400(moser axles) 500 (eci brake kit) the pumpkin I had bought just a few months before so I wasnt about to change rears.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Southern New Hampshire
The large flange is the 5.5" pattern which is used on all trucks and vans.
I think you really mean large or small axle shaft end & bearing. All pickups and vans used the large diameter axle and bearing.
Lighter duty car 9" used a tapered end with small bearings; HD cars were same diameter as the trucks but had the small flange.
I think you really mean large or small axle shaft end & bearing. All pickups and vans used the large diameter axle and bearing.
Lighter duty car 9" used a tapered end with small bearings; HD cars were same diameter as the trucks but had the small flange.
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From: new jersey
Thanks guys for your input on this matter, since i'm changing the mopar engine for a more desirable ford maybe a newer cobra mustang engine i think the 8.8 is probably going to be the way to go. Well ! off to the parts yard.
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From: Central New York
9'' Rear axle question
54 As long as you are going to the salvage yard, look for a 70s Torino, LTD II, T-Bird etc. and consider an axle and drum change over (4 1/2 inch bolt pattern). The thread in this Forum has done all the research work and the install is an easy afternoon project. I have completed a 1970 F100 with 350 gears and two Torino drivers side axles (30 inches long with 28 splines) and drums. I took a picture of the axle and posted it in my gallery (1956 Ford f100 Panel). If the parts are available, it is an inexpensive option. Good Luck
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From: new jersey
Thanks zzmaxx25 for your opinion, but i was really wanting to go with disc's alway around, and since i'm definitely going with disc's up front i'm not sure how the spare tire thing would work with the two different brake set ups ?
