[FiddyFour Customline]

the case and center section look like a 9"
however, according to everything i can find on the net, "Hammerin' Hank's Haus o' Hot-rods" (AKA FoMoCo) didn't begin to build the rear commonly known as the "9 Inch" till the early to mid 60's

what kinda rear is this thing, and what kind of punishment can it handle?

 

[Pony]

If it's the stock read then it's an 8". The trucks had a 9" early on in the 50's (starting in 55 I think) I have a 56 9" housing under my 53 Customline. The spring perches are on the top of the axle (springs on top) and have to be relocated to the bottom. (axle over springs) I used a early 70's wagon center section with Trac-Lock (posi) and the complete brake set up also. It sits on Toyota Van springs and fabbed front brackets. I went with Currie axles as I wanted the car bolt pattern and only one spare tire, vs: car front and truck rear bolt patterns and two spares. If your 8" is in good shape and you stay with a flatty or a 302/auto it should work just fine but for more hp you will have to upgrade. pics of my 53 in my gallery. (somewhere) :thumbup:

 

[enjenjo]

It is not an 8" like the ones in later cars. The ring gear is about 8" diameter, but the differential gear carrier is much weaker than the later 8" rear.

Ford used this rear in all cars from 49 to 56, except heavy duty wagons, which had a Dana 44 in them. The trucks used a Dana 44 from 48 to 56. In 57 the 9" was introduced in cars and F100s, and was the only rear used by Ford outside of the Falcons until 62, when the 8" rear was introduced in the Fairlane. The trucks still had a Dana 44 if equipped with positraction.

There is not much parts support for the 49 to 56 rear, and the ratio range is limited. Most rears are 3.89 ratio, 4.11 and 3.70 were also available.

The only parts interchangeability with later rears are brake parts, and outer wheel bearings.

They don't take much punishment, the ring gear or differential gears are usually the first thing to go. They work OK behind a small v8, with reasonably sized tires, but really need an overdrive trans for todays speeds.

 

[FiddyFour Customline]

thanks much, great information to have.

strangely, it seems i may not need the stock axle after all...

Christmas day, my other half decided to blow up her 92 explorer and i was informed that she is tired of nickle and dimeing the thing and wants a new ride. so come the end of this week she's going to be stylin with a newer automobile. not a real big heartache, as i had planned on buying her a new one in Jan/Feb after tax's came back.

so now, i have a complete donor vehicle for MASSIVE amounts of hard parts, such as the rear axle.