I have a 54 F-100 and need to swap in a rear axle to match the bolt pattern on the front end, which is a grafted on 67 Buick Skylark GS with the 4x4.75 bolt pattern. Anyone know any rear ends that would be close to a bolt on?

Thanks,
Brandon

 

Brandon,

I know of no GM rear ends that would be a bolt on. In terms of width 67-69 Camaro/Firebird would be close as would 68-74 Nova and the Nova clones like Buick Apollo, Pontiac Ventura, and Olds Omega of the same years. These rears are 59-60 inches wide and you need 61. Also, 64-77 Chevelle might work but they are wider at 62-63 inches.

Vern

 

One thing to remember is if one of these will fit width wise you can always buy wheels with an offset that will work.

 

Another possibility is to have your current axles re-drilled for the 4 3/4' bolt pattern. Or if going to the Ford 9" you could probably order new axles with that bolt pattern from a vendor like Moser or Strange but I'm not sure on that. 56FUN

 

I thought about that, but was wondering how I make the current brake drums work. I already have a 9" from a '59 that is installed, but wasn't sure what I could do to change the lug pattern, without having to use the gimpy spacers that adjust bolt pattern....

 

You would have to have the brake drums redrilled too.

Vern

 

Some wheels come with a dual pattern. They have 4 1/2 and 4 3/4 bolt circles. You could run a 4 1/2 rear axle and still be able to rotate wheels with the front.

 

I am not really worried about rotating wheels with the front. I will end up having a larger tire on the rear anyway. It's just hard to find nice rims (that I like) in the 5x5.5 bolt pattern. I want to make sure that I can have a spare tire too.....sounds like a dual pattern wheel would fit the billl. Now all I have to do is figure out how to convert my current axle to the smaller lug pattern....

 

Those type of wheels have a hubcap like stock but smooth. There are two ways of getting smaller bolt circle:
1) Keeping the stock Dana 44 rear axle. Have axles redrilled. Use backing plates of a '68-72 F-100 and drums off a 72-76 Torino or Ranchero with V-8.
or
2) swap in a Ford 9" from a '68-72 F-100. Use 2 driver side axles of a 72-76 Torino or Ranchero and drums also. The Ford 9" is a direct bolt in but requires a new u-bolt plate as the axle tubes is 3" wide instead of the stock 2.5".

If you want some more info check this out. What your looking for is about half way down.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...ial_Swaps.html