Hey all, I need your help once again......

I was wondering what late-model(well newer than 54) rear end would fit well under the rear end of my 54 F100 street rod. I'm looking to get a rear end with the car bolt pattern like my disc brakes on my Mustang II front suspension, with the 11'' 5 lug rotors. It does not have to be a disc brake rear end, as long as the width is correct to fit under my truck. Is there such a rear end?, if so please help me out b/c I don't want to have to get the adapters for bolt patterns or get 2 different bolt pattern wheels.

 

Scroll to the top of the page, click on articles/Specs, click on List Articles, you will find the information you are looking for.

 

I've got a '97 Explorer under my truck (8.8 w/3:73 gears, posi, and disc brakes) Fit's good and is only about 1/4" narrower than my Mustang II front suspension. $150 from my local bone yard.

Check out my gallery if you want to see pics.

Good luck - Brad

 

Some of the early 80s pickups had a nine inch rear that had the 5 on 4.5 pattern. I saw one recently in a salvage yard. I did not get an an opportunity to measure it however, so it may be too wide for your 54. Otherwise, it would be perfect since it is a nine inch and would practically bolt in. Also, you might consider using a Chrysler rear end. It also has the 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern.

Vern

 

They are too wide.

Look here: http://www.fordtruckenthusiasts.com/...+alternatives+

hotrod48

 

Thanks for the input guys, I'll have to scour some boneyards around my area, don't have school monday so I will check out those options. What is the best way to measure the width though?(inside drum to inside drum, outside to outside, what?)

 

In my opinion, wheel mounting flange to wheel mounting flange (outside to outside) is most accurate because you can account for the width of the brake drums. They can vary as much as a couple of inches.

Vern

 

Our tech article tried to use from face of axle end to face of axle end as a standard means of measurement. So measuring from the outer face of the brake drum to outer face of the brake drum and subtracting about 1/4" will get get you basically the same measurement. You want 61 1/4 " for perfection or 59 3/4 to 61 1/2 to be close. Pay attention to those Explorer rear ends and whether you want rear discs or not (not that they will do much for your braking as the fronts do most of the work....)

Whatever you get - before you dismantle the brakes to rebuild them - take several close up photos of how they look assembled so you'll be able to get the new brakes back on correctly (says the voice of experience).

 

So how wide are they? I skimmed that post a couple of times and never did see a measurement for the early 80s rear with 5 on 4.5...unless I missed it.

Vern

 

I will measure it on my 81 later on this afternoon for ya?

hotrod48

 

Hotrod,

I'd appreciate that. I've been wanting to know what the width on that rear is ever since I saw that one in a salvage yard. It was impossible to get to at the time and measure...

Vern

 

Sorry about not measuring it yesterday, I got busy and totally forgot. I just measured it and it was about 66" from center of tire to center of tire (This was a quick measurement). I can get a more accurate measurement if you want when it gets a little warmer, if you would like.

hotrod48

 

Another common source for a solid axle with the correct dimensions are under Jeep Cherokees. A Chrysler 8.25 axle is 60" wms-wms and has a 5x4.5" bolt pattern. This axle is nearly as strong as the Ford 8.8 and much cheaper. It does have drum brakes but the same axle can be found under the Liberty with disk brakes and a four link.

 

After reading the rear end tech article a few months ago, I started looking under every SUV I could with a 5/4.5 or 5/4.75 bolt pattern rear end. I must explain that I'm in several repair shops a day, I don't just drive around checking out rear ends. Oh, nevermind. I found the Explorer to be the right width and readily available for reasonable cost. It uses a 5/4.5 bolt pattern, which is available on MII kits, and has either disc or drum brakes. The article lists several options, but for a moderate horsepower street rod truck, the Explorer looks good.

 

Based on that I'm not so sure that rear end would be too wide. I just measured my original F-3 rear end from center of the tire to center of the tire and it was 64.5 inches and 53 from backing plate to backing plate. So, an additional 3/4 of an inch width on each side doesn't sound too bad. I think I'd be willing to go an additional 3/4 of an inch on each side to get a 5 on 4.5 nine inch bolt pattern without having to resort to changing or drilling axles. I also measured the 87 5th Avenue Chrysler rear under my 48 while I was out there and it's only 61 inches from the center of the tire to center of the tire. So, I should be able to run eight inch wheels on the rear with no problem...

Vern