A 8 INCH REAREND OUT OF A 64 FALCON . IT IS 51 INCHS FROM HUB TO HUB. THE 9 INCH IN THE TRUCK IS 54 INCHS FROM HUB TO HUB. I NEED A 5 ON 4 1/2 TO MATCH THE IFS . WILL THIS DIFF. MATTER

 

54 inches?!? To the best of my knowledge, the stock width of all Ford 1/2 ton axles from '48 to '72 was 61" from wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface. And yes, I think that you'll find out that the Falcon axle is too narrow. They are amongst the narrowest live axles that Ford ever built. The only narrower unit is the 8 inch out of a '63 1/2 Falcon. You'd have to run wheels with a pretty heavy positive offset to keep them from rubbing the side of the box, frame, springs, etc. Doing that isn't good for wheel bearings. I'd keep looking!

 

THE 54 CAME FROM INSIDE TO INSIDE WERE THE BRAKEBLEEDER IS. IS THE REAREND IN A FAIRLANE ANY BIGGER ???

 

If your existing rear gear is a ratio you are happy with you could also pull the axles and take them to a machine shop and have them re-drilled to the 4.5" pattern. Check out an Explorer rear which could also give you rear disc brakes. I also would measure using the wheel mounting surface when comparing widths so you know exactly where your wheels will be located for clearances. As I recall the distance between the frame and the inside lip of the rear fender is about 11" so try to get a width that will put you near the center of that space.

 

I used a 9" from a 1968 Fairlane in my 52 F1. The width is a couple of inches narrower, but reverse offset wheels worked fine and gave the rear tires look wider which, being from the darkside, I like. My truck is posted here somewhere if you want to look under Zoot's truck. Hope that helps