I have read that the preferred (from a great tech article I read on this site) rear end for my 1950 F1 is a 57-72 F-100 9" inch.

I have a question. Is the 1957-72 Ford F-100 rear end the same as the 1957 car rear end? I have an extra 1957 (or 58) Ford car rear end and would like to know if it is the same or usable.

Next question would be if the 3.10 3rd member from the 57-58 Ford car can be used in place of the the 57-72 third member.

Thanks for your collective advice.

Dick

 

I think the only difference is the number of splines in the axles, and as I understand it, some of the F-100 axles have the same number of splines as the car axles anyway.

 

The other difference between car and truck rims of that vintage is that the bolt pattern will be 4.5" 5 lug for car and 5.5" 5 lug for truck. I used a car axle because I wanted it to match the bolt pattern on the front that came from a 69 LTD.

 

Ah, right. I was thinking of internal differences.

 

The main reason car rears aren't used in trucks is that they are too narrow. The 57-59 rear housing is very narrow but the carrier assembly is the same. Just be sure that if you are using it in a 57-72 truck housing that the truck axle splines will fit...

Vern

 

As others have indicated the 57 car rear is narrower. Save the 3rd member (if you like the ratio). Sell the 57 rear since they are sought after by the early (narrower) ford crowd and buy a 68-72 complete truck rear with the wider brakes and the spring perches are already in the correct location for your truck (you should come out $ ahead). I did it to my 49. Incidentally the rear in mine is a 28 (not 31) spine axle like the 57 third member.

 

Another difference is the axle bearing diameter. Trucks station wagons, t-birds, Rancheros, and retractable hardtops of that era had a larger diameter axle bearing than the passenger car.
jim

 

Looks like you already have done a bunch on your truck - that engine looks good and I see you adapted it to a different transmission.

As to your rear end, you sure you do not already have a 9" installed? I can't really tell from the picture but it could be. If the only opening in the housing is in the front it most likely is a 9".

You can read all about the 9" and see lots of different pictures here: http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm

This is the site I use when there is a 9" question, and I have never found any mistakes.

If you wish you can post a picture of the front and back of your rear end, plus any case numbers you see and we can help identify it.

Welcome aboard, and keep us posted on your progress. It is nice to see an old flat head being brought back from the dead.

 

On the Cordoba IFS: if you don't already have the Gibbon's crossmember, you're probably out of luck, since GF went out of business earlier this year. You might want to check out the Jaguar XJS IFS topic here, it's virtually a bolt in on F1's, and IMHO a far superior choice.

 

Looks like the stock Dana 41 to me. I also plan on installing a rear end from a 58 F-100. If you are looking to use the small bolt pattern, here is a good thread on it: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=127564 Good luck with your truck and it looks like you are off to a good start.

hotrod48

 

Thanks for all the great info.

I was not aware that Gibbons stopped making front ends. I must've bought one of their last ones in January 04. The 50 Ford F1 project is going slow but still moving along. This winter I hope to finish the hooking up and restoration of the Charger tortion bar sytem that I bought. As to be expected, I was sold the wrong item (the disk brakes, calipers, spindles and lower support arm) that came form a later Chrysler product front end. By the time I finally got replacements - it was spring and I was driving my 50 Ford Convertible.

Yesterday, I pulled the rear end, leaf springs and shocks from my 50 Ford Convertible in anticipation of receiving the Jamco suspension items. I'm putting in the 58 Ford rear in that car.

With any luck, I'll be done in abut a month and then it's back to work on my 50 F1. I'll finish the front end and chassis this winter.

Dick in Massachusetts

 

Gibbons went out of business totally early 05.

 

Ax,

When you say Gibbons went out of business totally in .....

Do you mean the fiberglass business?

The guy with the IFs adapter kit wasn't really a part of Gibbons per se, he was just somehow associated with them. Perhaps using his business license or something like that.... There is a chance that the IFS guy might still be around, although finding him might not be easy.

Too bad, it looked like a real sharp kit. (I checked it out very thoroughly and would have gone with it except for circumstances at the time).

Good old 'Rage loved his. (Never hear from 'Rage anymore.....)

 

Gibbon's Fiberglass Co. locked their doors and turned off the lights. Their building is for sale. Their web site and domain name is for sale. They are no more...

 

I wonder if Dick1950 has a phone number for them in his package of instructions etc that came with his kit. I think the guy making the IFS kit had a seperate/direct line not tied to Gibbons. It would be good to know if he's still cranking them out.....