rear end swap
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
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rear end swap
I'm going to be swapping the stock rear end in my '55 f-100 for a '57 9 inch also from a truck. Is this a pretty straight forward swap? Do the the leaf spring saddles lines up? And is the bolt pattern still 5 x 5.5 on the drums?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Hi Danfish,
I have a Bonus Built so this is a little out of my league, but there are tons of threads about this swap.
Just use the search function on the upper right corner of this forums main page. Type in " Rear End Replacent;" or, "9 in Rear End" etc, and all the posts will show up!
I remember doing that swap on my 55 about 25 years ago and it was a u-bolt undo/redo simple thing. But my old memory may be failing me.
Good luck
I have a Bonus Built so this is a little out of my league, but there are tons of threads about this swap.
Just use the search function on the upper right corner of this forums main page. Type in " Rear End Replacent;" or, "9 in Rear End" etc, and all the posts will show up!
I remember doing that swap on my 55 about 25 years ago and it was a u-bolt undo/redo simple thing. But my old memory may be failing me.
Good luck
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
9 inchers have a 3 inch axle tube and the 44 uses a 2 or 21/2 so you are gonna have to get lucky { thanx stu!! } like me and land a set of shock mounts from an f250 of 48-72 vintage or buy some aftermarket ones like mid fifty has ...... julie your rear is the same width as the one all the rest of us have , 
take that as you will LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
take that as you will LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bring out the best!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 464
Likes: 8
From: Huff, ND
There's a wealth of information in an article on this subject, right here on this site. Look at the header at the top of this page, and navigate the drop down menu under the "Articles/Specs" tab.
In part, the article says:
Ease of installation
Hands down, the easiest rear end to install into one of these trucks is the ‘57 – ‘72 F-100 rear end. If you're installing it in the stock (below the springs) location, it is a bolt in. The spring perches are in exactly the right spot. You need only use larger U-bolts as the older rear ends had a 2.5" diameter housing (in the area of the U-bolts) and the 9" is a 3" diameter.
The (possible) downside is that you get the 5 X 5 ½ " bolt pattern. Great if you're staying with the stock front end. Not so great if you're going with latter model IFS. Even your correct pinion angle is preserved with this alternative. It just doesn't get any easier than this.
In part, the article says:
Ease of installation
Hands down, the easiest rear end to install into one of these trucks is the ‘57 – ‘72 F-100 rear end. If you're installing it in the stock (below the springs) location, it is a bolt in. The spring perches are in exactly the right spot. You need only use larger U-bolts as the older rear ends had a 2.5" diameter housing (in the area of the U-bolts) and the 9" is a 3" diameter.
The (possible) downside is that you get the 5 X 5 ½ " bolt pattern. Great if you're staying with the stock front end. Not so great if you're going with latter model IFS. Even your correct pinion angle is preserved with this alternative. It just doesn't get any easier than this.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
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From: springfield il
welcome to the dirty ol' persons club..................... LOL!!!!!!
i believe to what i've seen and read on here that certain years explorers , and late model crown vics are a close match , but ya gotta weld spring perches on . i kinda loafed along and eventually was given the opportunity by a freind to trade an extra dana 44 for a 9 inch out of a 68 1/2 ton .
i believe to what i've seen and read on here that certain years explorers , and late model crown vics are a close match , but ya gotta weld spring perches on . i kinda loafed along and eventually was given the opportunity by a freind to trade an extra dana 44 for a 9 inch out of a 68 1/2 ton .
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
uh huh . just go find a real parts house { we got a circle track shop and salvage yard here by the name of mullins } and buy a set of spring rerches and knock the old ones off and weld the new ones where you want 'em . remember to check your pinion angle and put it back the same . if i remember mine is up 4degrees ......
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
welcome to the dirty ol' persons club..................... LOL!!!!!! i believe to what i've seen and read on here that certain years explorers , and late model crown vics are a close match , but ya gotta weld spring perches on . i kinda loafed along and eventually was given the opportunity by a freind to trade an extra dana 44 for a 9 inch out of a 68 1/2 ton .
i believe to what i've seen and read on here that certain years explorers , and late model crown vics are a close match , but ya gotta weld spring perches on . i kinda loafed along and eventually was given the opportunity by a freind to trade an extra dana 44 for a 9 inch out of a 68 1/2 ton .So what do you do then when your 5 lug 5.50" bolt pattern wheels won't work? Carry two spares?
The 1957/72 F100 9" rear ends are plentiful, far more durable then those integral rear ends, offer more axle ratios, and the bolt pattern is the same.
New User
Joined: May 2009
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Help
I'm trying to put a 57 ford 9 inch rear end in a 1952 f-1, everthing I read says this will work, and I thought I had it made. It was all going perfect until I realized my drive shaft would be running an inch and a half from straight, pinion angle and everthing else is perfect. Help I'm confused.
Thanks
Don
Thanks
Don