Some of you know, I'm swapping a 9" in for a neighbor of mine. I've got the spring perches welded in place. The truck had the smaller 2.5" axle tube rearend. whereas the 9" is 3" axle tube. Using the stock shock mounts and u-bolt retainers isn't going to happen without some kind of modifications. If I try to do so the u-bolts will be at an angle, which I would prefer not to do. If I have to I'll fab some brackets to make it work correctly.
So I'm looking for pics, and possible sources for an aftermarket brackets.
Thanks in advance.

 

You have a few options. There are kits available from most 53-56 Ford truck parts places that include weld on lower shock mounts and use standard type U-bolts & spring plates.

Another option is if you can find the spring plate/lower shock mounts out of the 50's F250 it should work.

Or you can figure out a way to modify or fabricate something that will work.

 

Or, you could always use the u-bolts and nut plates from the donor vehicle the rear end came from.

 

You can but it doesn't help you much for the lower shock mounts.

 

I had the same problem...I used the flip kit from Midfifty and made a spacer using a section of 3 inch aluminum tubing. The pics should speak for themselves...

 

Thanks for the pictures. I went ahead and called up Midfifties and going to get there conversion kit. Another dilema I'm up againist is the u-joint needed.. The drive shaft thats in it used a smaller u-joint than the 9" calls for. I removed the 8" diff.
Do any of you guys know where I can get a u-joint that will have the size differences needed for this set-up. I remember awhile back a guy I worked with had a similar problem, he was able to get a similar u-joint to fix his problem. one set was bigger than the other.

 

Any good auto parts place should be able to get you the hybrid U-joint if they don't have them on hand.

Measure how wide you need for each one and the cap diameters. Take those measurements to the store and they should be able to find what you need.

 

BarryB,
im in the middle of doing a t5 from a 86 s10 and a 9" from a 68 f100 swap into my 50 merc m-68,the 9" takes a 1330 u-joint and the t5 takes a 1310 u-joint.Napa had a 1330/1310 u-joint in stock.if you know what the 8"takes you should be able to get one pretty easy.

oh if anyone needs a 4 speed or the diff let me know.

 

Thanks guys, I'll take those numbers to the napa next week when they open back up. I have the old u-joint from the 8", and I know what the 9" inch came out of so maybe I can take that and get one that will fit. fortunately Napa is basically around the corner from my house. So it won't be so bad to run back if I get the wrong one at first.

 

Well I ordered the conversion brackets with new u bolts and such from Mid fifties. 4/09/10 still don't have the parts. I was hoping to have this truck done by now. I called today they gave me an excuse but the parts should be here today friday the 23rd. almost two weeks later. Guys for future advice ask them to make sure they have the parts in stock themselves. probably will avoid this delay I've had.

 

While similar to what CharlieLed posted i got my plates from.Bob's F100 Parts and Restoration - (951) 681-1956 - 9372 Mission Blvd, Riverside, CA 92509

 

They are usually good on getting me parts in a few days to the east coast. This is a little late now since you already ordered the parts, if you are flipping the axle on top U-pull-it plates & U-bolts from an explorer would have worked +they have shock mounts already on so no welding the explorers rear ends are 3.25 but they would have still worked. Good luck with getting the rear end, I think I'll put in my altman latches this weekend.

 

Hey Jaye for future reference what years Explorers will the brackets come from?? Thanks for the pics wiz427. I'm hoping to get the early shipment so i can work on the truck today, but seems like the way things are going the parts won't be here until the evening time.
Thanks for all the pics and info so far.

 

The ones I used are from a 94 however, I think most will work up til they went went with IRS

 

I too used the explorer setup. Mine came from a 96. I agree with jaye.