What should I do?
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
What should I do?
Hi Guys, I don't post on here much (as I don't know much yet). But I read the post almost everyday and have learned alot. So I value your opinions. The PO of my 53 stuck a 8.5 10 bolt GM rearend under the truck, I went to pull the chunk cover off and water poured out! (Alot) Then instead of a limited Slip it is an open diff. with a 2.56 ratio. I have done a lot of online reading and read alot of the post on here about rear end swaps. The local pull a part has dozens of explorers and volvos with 8.8 rear ends with disc brakes and several 70-72 F-100 with 9 inch but drum brakes. Some of the explorers and volvos may be limited slip, have to wait till I get there and check the tags. Are any of these better than the other? Anything I should look for or watch out for? Thanks for your input. Oh Yeah, I also saw they have a 51 & 53 on the lot. Probably wont be much left but you never know
might be able to snag a tailgate or something! Have a great holiday weekend.
might be able to snag a tailgate or something! Have a great holiday weekend.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
IMHO they all have their own +'s and -'s........... probably less work and parts to swap in the 9".......... but rear discs are neat.....
I guess it depends on how much work you want to do and how much you have to spend............
I guess it depends on how much work you want to do and how much you have to spend............
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Sparky, I'm like everyone else I guess, seems all my money is going into the gas tank right now. But this is my one and only darkside truck so I'm going to spend what I have to to make it nice and take as long as it takes I guess. (if I live that long
) I just don't want to stick something under there and then find out later that I gotta pull it. Yeah I kinda like the idea of disc on the back too.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
I put a 1972 truck 9 " in my 49 but I dont think the level of effort is that much different putting in the explorer reaf. The 9" is known for it's strength but unless you run a BIG engine I think that the 8.8 will be fine. IMHO I think that discs on the rear mostly are for bragging rights since the rear brakes do a smal fraction of the stopping. I did get the 72 rear to get the wider brakes. The advantages of the discs are mostly for brake fade problems. With my Jaguar IFS I have real good front discs. Just my opinions.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 128
From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
[quote=Lakotas53;6186049] Then I would have to mate a C6 tranny to the GM rear. quote]
Hi, unless you get really, really lucky and find a drive shaft the right length you are going to have to have one shortened and the maybe a different flange welded on anyway so that part is not hugely important. Matching front and rear wheel bolt pattern (Multi-fit wheels) is though. If it is in there now, leave it and change ratio or diff latter
“Being wrong keeps me humble”
Hi, unless you get really, really lucky and find a drive shaft the right length you are going to have to have one shortened and the maybe a different flange welded on anyway so that part is not hugely important. Matching front and rear wheel bolt pattern (Multi-fit wheels) is though. If it is in there now, leave it and change ratio or diff latter
“Being wrong keeps me humble”
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
Good point old F1...... did what I normally do and just answer rather than think BIG picture......if you have a GM front better to keep a GM rear IMHO.......easier to get wheels........and it is already setup for Chev so....
Mating the Ford C6 driveshaft to the rear should be easy......if I remember correctly you can get u-joints with Ford on one side and Chev on the other.........that would mate the Ford driveshaft to the Chev rear...........or as they are more commonly used by the Chevy guys Chev driveshaft to Ford 9" rear
Mating the Ford C6 driveshaft to the rear should be easy......if I remember correctly you can get u-joints with Ford on one side and Chev on the other.........that would mate the Ford driveshaft to the Chev rear...........or as they are more commonly used by the Chevy guys Chev driveshaft to Ford 9" rear
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
See that is why I come to you guys! You just saved me a 60 mile trip to Pull a Part! I measured the bolt pattern and came up with 4.5 but after reading your post it got me to thinking So I went online and found that I was measuring incorrectly (center to center) instead of center of one to back of the other stud. came up with 4.75. Soooooo I guess I'll keep the GM rear. But I was looking forward to the 98 dollar ford rear (plus core charge) at pull a part Vs rebuilding the GM at several hundred dollars. Not to mention No disc brakes and this GM does not have 1 brake part on it. So all of that will have to be bought new too. Maybe I just need to go down and pull a different GM rear???? Same price... hmmmmmmm
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Thanks for the site Jim! It has a ton of good info on the 9 inch. But I guess I will stick with the Che*y Rearend since I have A Che*y front clip. I just don't like the idea of 2 spare tires or running universal rims. No big deal I'll just rebuild what I have a little at a time as the funds come avaliable. I just can't believe the PO used what he did. To me it makes sense to use a ford front and rear on a ford. Keep it all the same. Now to start looking for a posi unit to go in and a bearing kit. Thanks guys for all the input. Cheers
Lakota
Lakota