9 inch conversion ?
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Highland Village, TX
9 inch conversion ?
Hey guys hoping to finally get back to the truck this weekend. I have my disc brakes and power booster ready to go in.
I want to get my 9 inch donor installed. The donor is from a 59-72 F100. Do I simply need new 3" U Bolts or will I need anything else?
I want to get my 9 inch donor installed. The donor is from a 59-72 F100. Do I simply need new 3" U Bolts or will I need anything else?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,887
Likes: 3,129
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
You'll also have to rig up something to mount the rear shocks to. The stock lower brackets won't work because the newer axle diameter is larger. I have been told the shock mounts from a F-2 will work. If you can't them you'll have to make something. At least that's what I have been told. I am hoping to do the same to my panel this spring. I have a F-2 parts chassis so I am going to the brackets from that.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 240
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From: Redsox Nation, Mass
A few vendors carry the mounts if you cant find them at a junk yard. Be careful welding on the new shock mounts. It would be best to remove the axles from the housing to prevent the risk of warping an axle.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,010
Likes: 9,948
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Its true, you will have to come up with some rear shock mounts. I've heard tell of some people grinding out the original mouts to fit but I don't know much about it. From what I remember on the 48-52 trucks the F2 differential had 3" axle tubes so therefore the lower mounts would work on the 9".
I had a set of weld on shock mounts handy so I just wleded them on. If you don't have some shock mounts you could probably fab up a set easy enough from some square tubing.
I don't think you have to worry about warping an axle. I doubt the axle would feel too much heat from welding on the axle tube, there's a pretty good air gap in there
Bobby
I had a set of weld on shock mounts handy so I just wleded them on. If you don't have some shock mounts you could probably fab up a set easy enough from some square tubing.
I don't think you have to worry about warping an axle. I doubt the axle would feel too much heat from welding on the axle tube, there's a pretty good air gap in there
Bobby
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 789
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From: MI..."near" Dearborn...
nines anyone???
Good Luck...I really mean that! I've almost given up on findin' a 9" rear end
anymore...either too wide or wwwaaaaaay overpriced...just sad...
Started lookin' more & more at 8.8 disc rear-ends...found one this mornin'
in a 200k mile 1997 Explorer AWD 5.0 for $250.00. someone is parting 'cause
it was hit in the right-front.
I might consider it....REALLY wanted a 9" rear end though...couldn't even
find any on upay within 500 miles of my zip-code...been callin bone-yards
with NO luck either...
anymore...either too wide or wwwaaaaaay overpriced...just sad...
Started lookin' more & more at 8.8 disc rear-ends...found one this mornin'
in a 200k mile 1997 Explorer AWD 5.0 for $250.00. someone is parting 'cause
it was hit in the right-front.
I might consider it....REALLY wanted a 9" rear end though...couldn't even
find any on upay within 500 miles of my zip-code...been callin bone-yards
with NO luck either...
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 790
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From: Highland Village, TX
Originally Posted by rockher_man
Good Luck...I really mean that! I've almost given up on findin' a 9" rear end
anymore...either too wide or wwwaaaaaay overpriced...just sad...
Started lookin' more & more at 8.8 disc rear-ends...found one this mornin'
in a 200k mile 1997 Explorer AWD 5.0 for $250.00. someone is parting 'cause
it was hit in the right-front.
I might consider it....REALLY wanted a 9" rear end though...couldn't even
find any on upay within 500 miles of my zip-code...been callin bone-yards
with NO luck either...
anymore...either too wide or wwwaaaaaay overpriced...just sad...
Started lookin' more & more at 8.8 disc rear-ends...found one this mornin'
in a 200k mile 1997 Explorer AWD 5.0 for $250.00. someone is parting 'cause
it was hit in the right-front.
I might consider it....REALLY wanted a 9" rear end though...couldn't even
find any on upay within 500 miles of my zip-code...been callin bone-yards
with NO luck either...
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,887
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I bought mine last fall, 3.25:1, like new inside and out, all new brakes, drums and hardware for $75. I had to drive 75 miles one way to get it but well worth it. Just want to let you know they're out there. I found mine on Craigslist, the guy was selling a '70 F-100 for $200 or for parts. Sometimes it cheaper to buy the entire vehicle if you have the room to store it a while.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Kemah TX.
Originally Posted by 53OlderThanMe
Hey guys hoping to finally get back to the truck this weekend. I have my disc brakes and power booster ready to go in.
I want to get my 9 inch donor installed. The donor is from a 59-72 F100. Do I simply need new 3" U Bolts or will I need anything else?
I want to get my 9 inch donor installed. The donor is from a 59-72 F100. Do I simply need new 3" U Bolts or will I need anything else?
53 OTM, I see you are from the Houston area, The axle tubes on a 9" are 3.25 not 3.0" unless it is out of a mustang or T Bird etc. the trucks have bigger tubes on them. You can get the U bolts from Heitman spring off of Mcardy near the ship channel. They will make them for you while you wait for 12.00 each. The spring/U bolt plates are another story. I made mine for my F1 so they fit the application but you may be able to find something at a salvage yard. I would buy a set of Moroso spring perches if you need to move them you can get them from Clear Lake Speed for about 15.00 or so 281 332 1092 ask for Lindly he can get you fixed up. Have you checked if the U joint and driveshaft are going to work (length of the shaft and dia. and width of the joint) If you run into anything you need I have a racecar fab shop and will be here all weekend working on a 55 Chevy rollcage and mini tub for a customer.
Mike Hedger MPH Racing 713 408 8171
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 692
Likes: 3
From: Gatesville, TX
Some trucks may have a 3.5 dia housing, but I have one in my '50 and one in my '49 and both are 3". They both came out of '70 pickups. The F-2 lower shock mounts and U bolts work perfectly. I used the F-2 units on one truck and welded on shock brackets on the other truck. Drive shaft depends on what engine trans you have. I have a sbc witha 700R4 in my '49. The original drive shaft was a bit too long, so I shortened it and put in a U joint that adapts the two different sizes. No problems.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: New Mexico
Take the extra step and add in some teflon strips between the leaves. And, now that you have a 9-inch in, scavenge an 87 Ford Bronco II rear sway bar. Its a bolt in arrangement. I changed out to Performance poly bushings for the bar and the end links on my 53.
My 9-inch came out of a 69 F-100 with a grenaded 360 that I bought for $150.00. I cannabalized it for a lot of other stuff including the rear UPPER shock mounts. Those took a grinding but they fit up into the frame channels left and right. Then they bolted in with newly drilled holes.
My 9-inch came out of a 69 F-100 with a grenaded 360 that I bought for $150.00. I cannabalized it for a lot of other stuff including the rear UPPER shock mounts. Those took a grinding but they fit up into the frame channels left and right. Then they bolted in with newly drilled holes.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
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From: Northshore, MN
Originally Posted by dffay
Take the extra step and add in some teflon strips between the leaves. And, now that you have a 9-inch in, scavenge an 87 Ford Bronco II rear sway bar. Its a bolt in arrangement. I changed out to Performance poly bushings for the bar and the end links on my 53.
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Elder User
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From: Highland Village, TX
Originally Posted by MPH Racing
53 OTM, I see you are from the Houston area, The axle tubes on a 9" are 3.25 not 3.0" unless it is out of a mustang or T Bird etc. the trucks have bigger tubes on them. You can get the U bolts from Heitman spring off of Mcardy near the ship channel. They will make them for you while you wait for 12.00 each. The spring/U bolt plates are another story. I made mine for my F1 so they fit the application but you may be able to find something at a salvage yard. I would buy a set of Moroso spring perches if you need to move them you can get them from Clear Lake Speed for about 15.00 or so 281 332 1092 ask for Lindly he can get you fixed up. Have you checked if the U joint and driveshaft are going to work (length of the shaft and dia. and width of the joint) If you run into anything you need I have a racecar fab shop and will be here all weekend working on a 55 Chevy rollcage and mini tub for a customer.
Mike Hedger MPH Racing 713 408 8171
Mike Hedger MPH Racing 713 408 8171
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Elder User
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From: Highland Village, TX
Originally Posted by havi
given the measurements, we can likely tell ya what year you have. Also count the number of vertical ribs on the third member.
First line: WBG - F2
Second line: 3.89 4EC 301
Dick id'd it in an earlier thread as WBG-F , Ford Truck '63-71 F100, 3.89 (Ratio), 9 in, NL, 28 spline but the autoparts stores are telling me those are 1.75" pads.
I did measure the tube and its 3", the brake shoes are 2" of pad surface.
Anybody hazard to make a guess on year? Is it just me or is this the only major Ford part that doesn't have a date casting number?