[ocean_toad]

First thing > I suck at searching

Here's my question. I have a 1960 F100 with a 9" rear that has axles with a 5x5 bolt pattern. I can swap these out for a pair of axles with a 5x4.5 pattern, correct? If so, can one of you guy's steer me in the right dirrection to get the correct ones? Thanks in advance

-toad

[S10xGN]

If you suck at searching, you'll never find a pair of axles with the smaller pattern that fit! (chances are there aren't any) Your best option is to have a machine shop redrill your current axles. Second option, buy a new pair from Moser with the correct pattern (IIRC, they will drill 2 patterns for the same price). Keep in mind you'll need at minimum, new brake drums and possibly all new brakes.

BTW, did you make your front suspension pieces with a CNC plasma cutter or was it laser cut?

Russ

[ocean_toad]

I may be wrong here but, I think I read somewhere that you can swap to smaller bolt pattern axles. I believe that you have to change the outer axle bearings to make it work. You could be right Russ, it may be easier to have them re-drilled. The bad thing for me is that I have all ready designed a rear disc brake setup. The axle flanges are so big that I can't use my two peice rotor hats.

My front crossmember was cut with my plasma. I have to many mouths to feed to afford a laser.

[xntrik]

Originally Posted by ocean_toad

I may be wrong here but, I think I read somewhere that you can swap to smaller bolt pattern axles. I believe that you have to change the outer axle bearings to make it work. You could be right Russ, it may be easier to have them re-drilled. The bad thing for me is that I have all ready designed a rear disc brake setup. The axle flanges are so big that I can't use my two peice rotor hats.

My front crossmember was cut with my plasma. I have to many mouths to feed to afford a laser.

redrill the flanges to 4 1/2 circle and have a machine shop turn the flanges down to the size you need. don't forget the inner index hole.

[S10xGN]

O_T,

What disc brake swap have you come up with? I had to have my Moser axles turned down (6.25" -> 6.00") in order to use Corvette rotors on them. My 9" has the "small ford" ends with 2.66" offset. I'm undecided whether to buy a set of Wilwood 2 piece rotors (~$600.00) or use the E-Bay slotted and drilled factory rotors (~$200.00). I made some flat adapters from 3/8" steel plate in order to use the entire (front) Corvette brake setup to match my '87 front-end clip. Now I have all 4 corners the same, makes buying parts a lot easier!

Russ

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by ocean_toad

First thing > I suck at searching

Here's my question. I have a 1960 F100 with a 9" rear that has axles with a 5x5 bolt pattern. I can swap these out for a pair of axles with a 5x4.5 pattern, correct?

-toad

1) ...........the F-100 should have the 5 on 5 and 1/2 bolt pattern.NOT 5 on 5
2) your axles should be 30 inches long.........both of them.
3) Your housing ( it being a pick up truck housing ) should be set up for the large Ford axle bearing.



If you can narrow the housing 1/2 of a inch per side.........1965 and 1966 Ford passenger cars have a 29 and 1/2 inch long axle. You would need to find two vehicles........1 axle that length per car....the other one is a lot longer. Caution.......these vehicles came two ways.one with the axle bearing you need and one with the small axle bearing. I would get the backing plates and drums too......

I have known folks to run a axle that was 1/2 inch too short as is........with no problems.....but I would not....


Moser sells new axles......cut to the length you want with the pattern of your choice for around $300 a pair or so.....

[ocean_toad]

I spent the evening doing some home work and you guy's are right. Getting my axles re-drilled and turned down to accommodate my hats is the easiest way. I checked out Mosers price for doing this and looks as if I can do it for about a $100.

Russ
I also made a bracket for my rear brake setup. I'm using US Brake F33i four piston calipers with 1.38 pistons. My hats have a 1.41 offset and I'm using a .810 rotor. On the front (MII) I'm using US Brake F88i calipers with 1.75/1.38 pistons. The hats have a .720 offset and I'm using a 1.25 rotor. Of course I had to upgrade the master cylinder. I've got a Wilwood dual MC pedal assembly with a 1" bore MC for the front and a 3/4" bore for the rear. I also made a bracket for the rear calipers to incorporate a small Wilwood floater caliper to be used as a e-brake. I just bought a set of Boyd Smoothies so these brakes will look awesome mounted behind them.

-toad