Ford Rearends
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Powell RIver Canada
Ford Rearends
I just blew my rear end yesterday bombing around in a sand pit, I was doing a brake stand to see how deep of hole I could dig then CRUNCH, no rear wheel drive. Anyways, I was just wondering which ford rearend is the strongest. I have a 79 shortbox. I have another rear end to swap in but I don't know if it'll fit. I think it might be a 3/4 ton rear end. Is it possible to convert the lugs from a 1/2 ton to 3/4 cause I don't wanna have to buy new rims. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. Gord
Thanks. Gord
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 3
Ford Rearends
Your axle is a 9" which is plenty strong, I suspect yours had bu-coo miles on it. The Dana 60 will fit your truck but the driveshaft will have to be modified. You can also change your front axle to 8 lug to match the 60 using HD 44 parts, but this means new rims. Making the 60 5 lug is probably possible, but would be costly (re: custom made parts) and I dont think your rims would clear the bread drums.
Nathan
Nathan
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Ford Rearends
Gord, Did you actually destroy the ring and pinion or just snap an axle shaft? If you snapped a shaft (maybe it was a 28 spline vs the stronger 31) maybe think about going with an aftermarket high strength 31 spline or better yet 35 spline (spool or Detroit Locker only if my memory serves me right for the 35). The 9" is the king of 1/2 ton axles and can stand up to a lot of abuse. I would advise against switching to 3/4 ton stuff 'cause as you said you would have to switch bolt patterns/wheels. Good luck.
Eric
Proud owner of a '73 F-250 4x4 High Boy, 460 V8, NP435, NP205
And a '68 Bronco 289 v8 , NP435 , Dana 20
Eric
Proud owner of a '73 F-250 4x4 High Boy, 460 V8, NP435, NP205
And a '68 Bronco 289 v8 , NP435 , Dana 20
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Greenville USA
Ford Rearends
Usually, but I have to replace mine, too, as the tube welds broke and the tube has pulled out of the center section.
fordmando
70 F-100 Ranger XLT 400 C6
78 F-150 4x4 400 4 on floor
George
fordmando
70 F-100 Ranger XLT 400 C6
78 F-150 4x4 400 4 on floor
George
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Renfrew Canada
Ford Rearends
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 15-Apr-01 AT 06:21 PM (EST)[/font][p]I agree with nathan, 9" are plenty strong, just fix or replace.
Converting a 60 to 5 bolts can be done, but the conversion is alot of work (don't bother). also, if you go to 60 you'll loose about an inch groundclearance.
Have a look inside your axle and see exactly whats broken and then either fix it or jusy buy a used one.
If you didn't build it, its not really yours.
Converting a 60 to 5 bolts can be done, but the conversion is alot of work (don't bother). also, if you go to 60 you'll loose about an inch groundclearance.
Have a look inside your axle and see exactly whats broken and then either fix it or jusy buy a used one.
If you didn't build it, its not really yours.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Powell RIver Canada
Ford Rearends
k, I pulled out my axles and checked out the ring and pinion. They're warn pretty good which was to be expected. but, the clamps holding the whole thing together were snapped right in half which caused the whole thing to shift and it looked like it was a posi rearend as well and all the little disks in there were snapped. And there is one gear in there that was totally messed. The Ring gear was a 35 spline and the pinion was a 10.
Anyways, I need a new ring a pinion. What kind of combination should I go for? Should I buy a locker? What kind? What combo works best for a ford 9 inch? I'm lookin to maybe spend 500 Canadian. Thanks
Anyways, I need a new ring a pinion. What kind of combination should I go for? Should I buy a locker? What kind? What combo works best for a ford 9 inch? I'm lookin to maybe spend 500 Canadian. Thanks
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 0
From: yes
Ford Rearends
try looking around for a while in wrecking yards Ford did put 5 lug Dana 60's in 1/2 ton trucks, I have one in my truck, but it's a 2 wheel drive, I believe they came in 1969 or earlier with limited slip rearends.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Ford Rearends
Blaxeude,Sorry to hear the damage was so exstensive, South of the Border $500 won't go very far either. My biased opinion would be to go with a Detroit Locker ($422 +tx) or a Detroit TrueTrac ($389+tx). At this point decide on either 31 spline or 35 spline. Heck, since I'm trying to spend Your money 
I'd go with a Strange center section for extra strength. Good luck.
Eric
Proud owner of a '73 F-250 4x4 High Boy, 460 V8, NP435, NP205
And a '68 Bronco 289 v8 , NP435 , Dana 20
I'd go with a Strange center section for extra strength. Good luck.Eric
Proud owner of a '73 F-250 4x4 High Boy, 460 V8, NP435, NP205
And a '68 Bronco 289 v8 , NP435 , Dana 20
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Powell RIver Canada
Ford Rearends
Hey Magnus, thanx for the offer but I live in B.C. Probably cheaper for me to go to the wreckers and pick some gears up. Plus I have a couple front ends and rear ends to trade in.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Ford Rearends
Yes go to the bone yard...This rear ends are the best ever made,thats why there used in HOT RODS its the single best part that the ford motor company ever made.And a big plus the axles are fat and its easy to change whole parts.Just keep an eye on lube
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Powell RIver Canada
Ford Rearends
K, I checked it out and I already have 31 spline axles. i went to the wrecking yard yesterday and checked out what hey have. there are a couple really beat up fords out there. I don't know if I should spend some money for their rear ends or buy a new 3rd member cause that's all I need. I think buying brand new would be the best. Does anybody know how much I would be looking at CDN? I wanna buy a locker as well.
New User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Ford Rearends
Dana 60 is probably stronger but not enough to warrant trying to swap one in. Ford 9 inchers are just fine. Ive been trying to kill mine in my mustang but it wont give. BTW Numerically higher gears are not as strong as numerically lower gears