Hi! I recently purchased a 1940 Ford pickup. I'm currently working on the running gear. I'm installing an IFS kit, with a leaf srping kit in the rear. I am looking at putting in a small block V8 Ford engine. I would like to know what type of rearends would work well with a 289 or 302 combination. Any info. would really help! Thanks!
Darrin

 

You can use 9" mustang rear older vintage or 8.8 rears late model with disc brakes . I have 9" 70 mustang in my coupe with 3.73 gears coupled to t5 manual /351c .
The 9" look better,I think!
Rich





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02 F250 4x4 SC 5.4v8 6spd 3.73ls Trueblue/Silver and Chrome Nerfs

"All Levers"

 

Hi Darrin - Welcome to FTE. Just so you know, I think you chose the best looking Ford Truck other than the '41.

We've used a 9" out of a 1968 Bronco. It's a perfect fit other than you may need to move the mounting perches. When we got this rear, it had two sets of mounting perches, one original and one for the Mustang it was taken out of. Unfortunately, someone else took it out of the Mustang for us so we don't know which was from the Bronco mount. The rear fits perfect though.

Good luck and it would be nice if you took some pictures and created a gallery here for all to see.

 

 

any old style bronco would work. Mine is a 1966 with 4.11 gears and posi from the factory. moving the spring perches and shock mounts might be necessary though.

 

I'd go with the 9" but you can get a chrome cover for an 8.8, that's one plus for the 8.8. With that aside the 9" is better looking.

Clayton

 

Darrin,
My two cents: I'd go with the 9" rear end. Tough to go wrong with it. As far as what gears to run: that depends on a few factors: what are you going to use the truck for primarily? Hauling? Daily driver? Cruising around and showing off? I started with 4.11 gears in my 9" rear end on my '59. Obviously, the "punch" off the line was nice, but the mileage due to increased rpm's was a pitfall. Then I went to the other extreme: 3.0 gears (highway gears). I found those to be too sluggish off the line and for passing. Ultimately, I ended up in the middle. The 3.50 gears I'm running now suit my "punch and acceleration" needs sufficiently and don't hurt the performance/efficiency of the mpg/motor at all. Good luck on your rear end decision.


FYI, I found a '40 Ford truck just rusting away near my house. Do you need parts? The owner is looking to sell it outright for $600. It has the original running gears underneath. I have photo's. If you're interested, E-mail me at ddspdc(No Email Addresses In Posts!) and I'll shoot them over to you. Or, you can call the owner: Mark Ross at (559) 756-5026. He lives in Central California (Porterville, CA). I've only met him once, but he seems nice enough!

Regarding the motor decision: a lot probably depends on what will fit in that narrow hood area! Unlike the '53 and up, the narrow 40's years might limit your choices (unless you're going full blown mod and gonna have the scoop sticking out of the hood ,etc look !!). Tough to go wrong with the 5.0. Tried , trued, dependable. Very "buildable" for horsepower and performance. And parts are readily available should something go wrong or break. Plenty of power to be harnessed to move your '40 out nicely. But again, the bottom line decision is yours: just depends on what kind of an E-ticket you want to build!!!

Good luck, and let me know if I can help further...
Daryl
P.S.- you're not my bro secretly building a '40 under my nose are you? I have a brother named Darrin!!!

 

Darrin,
I would absolutely go with a 9" ford out of a early model mustang or cougar they are much more durable and easier to ge parts for.
Welcome to the club. If possible get the motor,tranny and rearend all from the same vehicle that way they are already matched.
Jeff