Does anyone know what year Ford used the torino style axle flanges?
Or if any late '70's trucks had them.

I searched this site and google and couldn't find any info as to what
year they started using this style.

Thanks!

 

Nevermind, I finally found it (after MUCH searching).

For anyone else: The late style large bearing axles (Torino style), came on '73-'79 large Ford cars and '77-'86 trucks.

OBTW: this is for a 9" axle. Now you know.

 

http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm

Checkout the links on the bottom of the page as well

 

Thanks for the link Mil1ion! Lots of good info!

 

Are you sure about those years?

I have a late '77 F-150 w/ early style big bearing.

 

My 75 F100 Supercab short bed has the large tapered bearings-note they won't interchange with the sealed big bearing.

 

That was info that I read from an article. Really the only way to tell is to measure
the axle flange and see what you have. Also remember that Ford was rarely consistent in those days.

 

Ford had 3 different axle/housings that they used between '73 and '79. The Dana 44, 3300, and 3650/3750lb axles. The only constant is that ALL TrailerSpecials got the 3650/3750 axle. The the 3300 has a large cylindrical bearing, and the 3650/3750 has a large, take a second mortgage out, sealed tapered bearing that retails for about $120. I have never seen a Dana 44 rear axle, but they are out there, so everyone says.

 

My rear axle is the 3580 lb rating, so it looks like I'm just going to have measure it. My D44 front is 3300 lbs. The overall GVW is 6150lbs.

I have yet to see a D44 rearend on the these trucks as well. Aparently they came on the lighter duty F100's.

 

Are you getting the weight rating from the truck, or the axle??? You have to get the weight rating from the axle tag. With a 3580 rear rating, I would say you have the larger Ford axle.

 

The 3580 rating is from the tag on the door jamb. The axle tag is intact, but is covered heavily in grease and gime. I need to clean it off so I can read it.

 

Are ya working on a Torino, or what is the nature of your question regarding axle flanges?
Mark (Torino freak)

 

No, LOL. wish I were. I love them old Torinos myself. The 9" axle flange had 3 bearing designs. The early 9" had a small bearing, then Ford redesigned and used a larger bearing and larger bolt pattern. Later Ford redesigned the axle flange (still a large bearing) with a different bolt pattern. So there is the "small" bearing, early large bearing, and late large bearing. The late large bearing design is referred to as the "Torino style". IIRC, Currie started calling the late large bearing the "Torino style".

The reason I originally posted, is because I plan to add an Explorer rear disc setup. The Explorer rear disc set up off the 8.8" axle will bolt directly onto the Torino style axle flange. The only modifcations to this would be to install a spacer (because the disc backing plate is thicker) and redrill the rotors for a 5x5.5" bolt pattern (the Explorer had a 5x4.5" pattern). Of course you would have to rework the E-brake cables and perhaps move the brake lines around a little. Nothing to difficult though. If you start with the "Torino" style axle flange, the swap is a whole easier. Plus the axles have the correct offset with this flange to accomodate the e-brake set up.

 

Cool, I'd like to see pics of the job!
MaRK

 

Ha, you'll be waiting awhile. It will be at least spring, maybe later. With winter coming up and a new addition to the family coming, it will be awhile. Oh well, It'll give me time to look for junk parts anyway. You can buy the kit new for $400 which isn't too bad, but if I can find it in a JY, it'll be cheaper yet. I plan to take pics and write an article on it when it finally comes time to do it.

Plus, I need to make sure this swap is legal here in Pa. We have many wonderfull laws regarding automobiles. I'm just tired of the hassle and brake performance of drum brakes.