rear end questions
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Kansas City, MO
rear end questions
I got my frame back today, and the guy that made sure it was straight said that the rear end that is on it isn't the original one. I am about a week away from ordering a new rear end from TCI because i wanted a Ford 9" rear end. I took pictures of the one that is on there. The tag on it (if you can't read it in the picture) has a W and then 47 over 12.
If it is a Ford 9", is there anything that I need to do to it before it's ready to drive with it on there. Even if it is, I still plan on getting new leaf springs. If not, do you know what it is as I will probably get rid of it.
If it is a Ford 9", is there anything that I need to do to it before it's ready to drive with it on there. Even if it is, I still plan on getting new leaf springs. If not, do you know what it is as I will probably get rid of it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Bonus Built trucks never came with 9" rear ends. From what I see of yours in your pics, it is the stock Ford/Dana 41, and the 47/12 = 3.92 seems to confirm it. That was the stock ratio for an F-1.
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Senior User
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From: Kansas City, MO
I'm not sure where the line between serious horsepower and street cruiser is. The engine that i'm going to get has about 330 hp. The big reason I wanted to replace it was to get the bolt pattern the same as the front. I haven't checked, but when I ordered the front end, they said that I would need to replace the rear to have the same bolt pattern. But that could have been their attempt to get me to buy more stuff from them. Maybe I should check it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I think 330 HP is probably serious enough that you might want the nine inch especially if you plan to run it hard or if you're running a clutch and standard tranny. I'm running something in the 250-300 horse range and the rear I'm using is about the same strength as the original but I'm easy on it and it's an automatic. What bolt pattern will be on the front? A nine inch (from a truck) is going to have a 5x5.5 pattern which is the same thing you have now on the original rear. 
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Northshore, MN
If I had to guess, the guy that made sure yer frame was straight, probably thought the Ford pickups of all years received the 9". But alas, the 9" didn't start until 1957 in trucks. Yours is definitely not a 9", and is likely the original dana 41 as the guys stated earlier.
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Senior User
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From: Kansas City, MO
I don't plan on running it hard. I just want to be able to drive the thing. Not even in a hurry to get the body done. I do plan on an auto tranny though. The bolt pattern on the front is 5x4 1/2.
The guy was saying something about the third member from all the early years until the 60s or so had a wrap around section. Not sure exactly what he was talking about. I had to go to the bathroom really bad so I was kind of walking off as he was telling my dad about it. I asked my dad about it later and all i heard was "blah blah blah blah blah." So I'm not sure what he was trying to explain. But looking at pictures that I googled, I do believe that you guys are right about it being the dana 41.
So would it be worth the risk of just leaving it on there and see if it can handle it? If it won't handle it, will it only damage the rear end that will need replacing? Or will it damage more than just the rearend, and be worth replacing now to prevent the damage?
The guy was saying something about the third member from all the early years until the 60s or so had a wrap around section. Not sure exactly what he was talking about. I had to go to the bathroom really bad so I was kind of walking off as he was telling my dad about it. I asked my dad about it later and all i heard was "blah blah blah blah blah." So I'm not sure what he was trying to explain. But looking at pictures that I googled, I do believe that you guys are right about it being the dana 41.
So would it be worth the risk of just leaving it on there and see if it can handle it? If it won't handle it, will it only damage the rear end that will need replacing? Or will it damage more than just the rearend, and be worth replacing now to prevent the damage?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
If you don't run it hard the original rear should hold up as long as it's in good shape. You may, however, not be satisfied with the gear ratio as it is likely to be something in the low 4's. The 5x4.5 pattern in the front poses a problem since the rear is 5x5.5. You would not want to carry two spares so you could carry an adapter from 5.5 to 4.5 and run both patterns or you could go with a later rear with the 5x4.5 pattern. A lot of Explorer rears are being used under these trucks. Perhaps that would be a good alternative to the nine inch, give you the same pattern on both ends, and give you a better ratio. There are also some disc brake kits that retain the 5x5.5 pattern on the front but that may not be an option for you depending on the front suspension.
By the way, speaking for Dads in general I've found that all most sons hear when we talk is "blah, blah, blah, blah blah"!
By the way, speaking for Dads in general I've found that all most sons hear when we talk is "blah, blah, blah, blah blah"!
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Senior User
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From: Kansas City, MO
I guess it won't hurt to try it out and see. If I'm not happy then I'll replace it then. I was told that there was a guy here in town that could change the pattern to match the other. Is that safe? Or would it be ok to get two adapters and run on there. I would like them to be the same so if i am not happy then i'll already have tires that will match the bolt pattern if I get a new rear end. Changing the front brakes isn't an option. I bought these brand new from TCI. I'd hate to have to get rid of them for something else.
Ya my dad tries with me.....I just don't know a lot about trucks. It's not that I'm not trying to listen to him, I just have no clue what he's talking about when he says "the third member blah blah blah." haha. Hopefully by the time this truck is done I will.
Ya my dad tries with me.....I just don't know a lot about trucks. It's not that I'm not trying to listen to him, I just have no clue what he's talking about when he says "the third member blah blah blah." haha. Hopefully by the time this truck is done I will.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
If you are heading to a modern V8 with significant HP, just do the 9" conversion or the Explorer 8.8". Here is the lowdown on the Explorer swap:
All Explorer rear ends are the same 5 on 4 ½" bolt pattern.
8.8" rear ends - come with 3.25, 3.55, 3.73 or 4.11 gears.
‘89 -‘01 - Ford Explorer - 59 ¼ - ½" flange to flange.
‘89-‘94 = drum brakes only.
‘94-‘97 = drum or disc brakes
‘97-‘01 = disc Brakes only
Can use an 8" rim with 3 ½" backspacing and P235/75R-15 tires
There is a "sticky" thread at the top of the forum page that has everything you could want to know about rear axle swaps for your truck.
All Explorer rear ends are the same 5 on 4 ½" bolt pattern.
8.8" rear ends - come with 3.25, 3.55, 3.73 or 4.11 gears.
‘89 -‘01 - Ford Explorer - 59 ¼ - ½" flange to flange.
‘89-‘94 = drum brakes only.
‘94-‘97 = drum or disc brakes
‘97-‘01 = disc Brakes only
Can use an 8" rim with 3 ½" backspacing and P235/75R-15 tires
There is a "sticky" thread at the top of the forum page that has everything you could want to know about rear axle swaps for your truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Kansas City, MO
I was trying to figure out what you meant by "sticky" thread. But I think I figured it out because I found links to all kinds of neat stuff. Stuff that I was going to ask questions about when I got to that point in the future. I'm sure it'll be a HUGE help. Thanks for the help guys!!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Sure, changing the pattern is safe enough if done by a competent machine shop. It's never a good idea to run adapters. I have done it but I don't like doing it. They have a history of working loose. I'd save the adapters for a temporary fix or carry one to mount a spare. I have a good pair of axles out of a 48 F-1 if you wanted something to experiment with. You could have a second pair of axles drilled for the 5x4.5 pattern while yours were still on the truck but they would probably be expensive to ship...