What are the specific differences in early and later axles?
I have a '63 Unibody with a 9" rear end. I just aquired a big bearing Strange nodular pumpkin with billet bearing caps for my upgrade.
I know that the '72 axles and backing plates will allow me to run wider brakes in the rear but I want to run 35 spline axles. I need to know what to order. Does anyone know the specific length differences between '63 and '72 axles?

 

I am not aware of any length differances up through '72. But, beginning in '73 the housings are wider and so would the axle's...you probably allready know that.

 

63, The axle count was 28 and 31 for the 9 inch. I have read about the big bearing, but am not sure how it applies. Maybe Pete, Garbz, or John will know.

I am also not sure if any 31 spline axles were used before 73 when the total end to end length was increased.

In 68 the offset bearing was introduced when the wider brakes were introduced.

John

 

I want to buy aftermarket 35 spline axles. I think I'll break the smaller ones. I wonder if specialty rear end shops have the axle length specifications for the various years.
I guess I'll have to make some phone calls.

 

Instig8r63: Be advised there are some axle bearing isues you will need to resolve.
I researched this several years ago. I wanted to put a '76 F-150 31 spline rear end punkin, axles and brakes on my '66 F-100 rear axle tube. I ran into compatibility issues. I thought all I would need to do was to have the axles shortened and re-splined but it wasn't that simple.
I don't know the exact years, but I believe the '73 and later 31 spline axles used a different bearing. (Were there 31 spline before '73???) This is the bearing pressed onto the axle.

The 28 spline bearing is smaller, and is a sealed 1-piece bearing.
The 31 spline is larger, and is a 2 piece bearing. This one looks like a regular wheel bearing; it has a cup pressed into the end of the axle tube, and the race with the cage and rollers is pressed over the axle. This type uses a different seal also.

If I foresee this right, you will have difficulty in the bearings. The early 1 piece sealed ones will fit into your '63 axle tube, but won't fit over the larger 31 spline axles.
The later 2 piece bearings and seals will fit the 31 spline axles, but won't fit into the ends of your '63 axle tube.

At least, that is how I figure it. There may be a number of details with which I am not familiar, but this is how I understand it all fits together. Hopefully, there is a better answer for compatibility.
Let us know how this works out, I would really like to know!

By the way, I did put the '76 rear brakes on my '66 rear axle tube, but I had to use '68 -'72 rear axles. That's another story!

 

Very interesting, some more info that I didn't know.
I can see this is not going to be as easy as I had anitcipated.

 

Key issue! these are custom units, all stock dimensioning is out the window.

When you order the 35 spline customs all you will need to tell them is what brake system you will be running. if the rear has or has not been narrowed, and using a stock drums they will know the correct offset by what year you tell them for the drum brakes.

If using wilwood or US brakes or aerospace , bear ECT they will need to know that, as it will dictate where they set the bearings. Order the bearings pressed on by the maker of the axles. Life will be a lot easier.

All the other things are MOOT as they are FULL CUSTOM AXLES. Moser has a great measuring guide on thier web site to print and fill in the blanks.

63 AXLE housing ends are FORD BIG BEARING OLD STYLE. The outer diameter of bolth the old and new style bearings is the same. The inner race has no matter as the axles are CUSTOM and typically are larger diameter for the inner race. The 35s use a CUSTOM BEARING and use a custom retainer for disc brakes or the stock backing plates with drums.

Is the strange unit you ordered set up to accept the 35s?

Pre 64 housings are not he strongest units with the round back case. Pretty yes, strong no.

Any reason you want 35 spline axles? or did you get a killer deal on the strange third member and thats whats in it?

Garbz

 

Actually I got the Strange nodular chunk for free. It it set up for Chrisman full floating gun-drilled 40 spline axles (which I also have). It has a 40 spline spool in it. I want to change it to a 35 spline Detroit Locker. I dont want to have to buy the rest of the stuff to convert my hubs to full floating. I'll be running a 700 HP engine and I don't want to break anything.

 

Nascar surplus?

The 35 splines will do fine at that HP level, The 31s would probally do but may twist over time and abuse. With that kind of horse pressure a possible use of aftermarket discs on the rear will be cheap insurance.

I would like to find that deal, The planned thrird member for my Pro Street will cost between 1100 and 1300 to put together. And that does not include the gear set.

I have a set of 31 spline custom made Moser Axles narrowed to my specs for use with a U.S Brake 2.25 backset hats. My planned horse pressure with the 428 is only a consertive 1 HP per cubic inch so i will be fine with it.

Free is the deal of the month!

Garbz

 

I have a 97 f150 4.6 4wd I don't know the gear ratio in the rear but it is a ford rear. I changed the rear brakes last night and when doing so I checked the play on the rear axles by pushing and pulling them they moved in and out a little bit maybe 1/8 of an inch. I have 180k on the truck and changed the rear dif fluid 2 weeks ago couple pieces of metal in the old fluid but keep in mind it was the first time it was changed and overall the gears looked pretty good. I just wanted to know how much play is too much play in the rear. I just wanted to ad one more thing when I bought this truck I didn't know sh_t about ford trucks this website gave me quite an education on ford trucks thank you everbody for your help. I try to give my advice when I can but you guys on here are light years ahead of me on fords.

 

8.8 will move in and out due to the axles being retained by c clips.

Normal

Garbz

For high preformance on a 8.8 there are C clip elimination kits to remove the play.