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By 62bigwindow - 10 Years Ago
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I'm sure this subject may have came up before but, what passenger car 9 inch is the right width for a 56 wagon? I just read that maybe one out of a 70-71 torino might be the one to get. I want to verify that before I get one. I assume the spring perches will have to be changed and maybe the shock mount?
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By paul2748 - 10 Years Ago
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For a 56, the easiest to install are the 9 inch rears are the 57, 58 and 59 rears. Same length, all the cables fit and the spring pads are the same, at least on the 57 and 58. Not sure on the 59. The 65 and 66 Mustang are the same, but finding a 9 inch out of these cars is rare as they were only used in the HIPO's. The wagon and ranchero rears are the best as they have the large bearings.
Other years 9 inchers are longer
I don't know bout the Torino
If your not going for high HP, an 8 inch out of the 65/66Mustangs are the same length and I believe the spring pads are the same as a 56.
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By miker - 10 Years Ago
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IIRC, those wagons came with the Dana 44, same as a truck and Tbird. Is it still in the car?
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By 62bigwindow - 10 Years Ago
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Yes it still has the 44. I was thinking of swapping due to the fact the 9 inch has a tremendous amount of aftermarket support. I would like to eventually add rear discs and 3.73 rear gear after I do the t5 conversion. I have to admit I haven't looked to see what is available for the 44. What's the axle code for a 57 that has a 9 inch? There is a 2 door hardtop in a yard near me.
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By 62bigwindow - 10 Years Ago
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Sorry about the double post. Fat fingers and smartphone sometimes don't get along.
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By miker - 10 Years Ago
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PM sent
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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I just rebuilt a 57 wagon rear for my wife's 56 Ranch Wagon. Rebuilt or replaced everything, including axle bearings. Everything is available. However, the stock 57 wagon (FOM) rears (probably 58 & 59 also) came with a 3.56 open gear set and use a combination U Joint which is not compatible with the 56 rear driveshaft yoke .
A standard 1310 style U Joint will not work with the with the stock pinion gear shaft. They are hard to find, but Denny's Driveshaft has them for about $50.00. Here is what they look like if you are not familiar; http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/p1233_1310_to_1949_1959_ford_wing_style.html I'll stay with the stock 3.56 gears until I can afford a 3.70 posi unit.
Rono
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 10 Years Ago
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62bigwindow (6/19/2015)
Yes it still has the 44. I was thinking of swapping due to the fact the 9 inch has a tremendous amount of aftermarket support. I would like to eventually add rear discs and 3.73 rear gear after I do the t5 conversion. I have to admit I haven't looked to see what is available for the 44. What's the axle code for a 57 that has a 9 inch? Thereally is a 2 door hardtop in a yard near me.
I was under the impression that ALL 57's had 9" rear ends? Just that the Ranchero's & Wagons had the large bearing ones?
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By pegleg - 10 Years Ago
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The 57 is not really a true 9". However the housing is the same as 1958-9 which is. Clear as mud? I am under the impression that the 57 housing can be bolted into a 56 with little trouble, but there are better big bearing housings in later cars. You would have to narrow them and install new spring perches as I did in the Red car.
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 10 Years Ago
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Ok Frank, Now you have me confused??? I have a 57 / 9" in my car and purchased a 28 spline Carrier complete with a Detroit locker. I know they have a 31 spline, bigger bearing 9", but why do you say the 57 is not really a 9"???
Oh and yes it is a complete bolt in to a 56, only difference if the spring perches are 1" shorter than a 56 stock rear end.
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By DryLakesRacer - 10 Years Ago
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I agree with Frank. The 57 was different than all that followed. That would not make me not use it. Today there are many suppliers of 9" Ford complete rear ends; they can be found listed in many magazines (Drive, NHRA, Speedway etc.) they will supply them anyway you want. Drums, discs, widths, floaters, 28, 31, or even 35 spline. There are clamping devices available for your caliper mounts (if using discs) as well as mounts for your leaf springs. I just replaced one side of our race cars full floater with clamp on mounts. We like those so we ca set the correct pinion angle. They tack welded when complete. We ran a 28 spline in our Street Stock 1/2 mile car for years with no problems......Good Luck.
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By 62bigwindow - 10 Years Ago
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So the 57 housing will accept all the 9 inch goodies but is a small bearing? I looked at new housings etc. But I can get the 57 housing cheap and I don't mind rebuilding it. I was planning on a new center section with 3.73 and limited slip and maybe new axles with discs. My y isn't a real high horse engine (around 280-300hp range) so I think the small bearing will be ok. Plus if it's a direct bolt in that would be an added bonus.
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By MoonShadow - 10 Years Ago
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I'm well known here for a lousy memory but I think the brake backing plates will bolt onto the early 9". I think one of our north of the border readers did it. Maybe someone will pop up and answer that for sure. You can also use the early Mustang rear end. Chuck
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 10 Years Ago
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Chuck & to all:
I am using a 57- 9" or what ever it is, and just so everyone knows a newer (I believe from the 70's) 9" carrier out of a truck (28 spline, 3:55 Detroit locker) bolted right into the original 57 housing using the 57 axles. Also, I just bolted my 56 backing plates, brakes, drums right up to the 57 housing (saved me buying all new brakes). Oh and yes my bearings are the small ones.
Curious to know what the differences are other than the smaller bearings and 28 spline? As per standing up to 300 HP, that is what I am running and don't think it would be an issue.
Hope this helps a bit! 
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By Vic Correnti - 10 Years Ago
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 I have been running a housing out of a 58 for 40 plus years with the small bearings. And 31 spline axels for the last 15 years using a small bearing with a bigger ID. I have showed it no mercy all that time. The bearings have held up to 25 years of nitrous and a 500 HP Y-block. Although I have broke everything forward of the rear tires. This picture is the latest casualty of a 5000 RPM launch at Norwalk.
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By pegleg - 10 Years Ago
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Rob, I think Vic answered you question. If you replaced the 57 gears with a 9" set then you have a small bearing 9" rearend. I wouldn't worry about it unless you plan on 6 grand starts on slicks and a healthy shot of Nitrous.
Some of the later housings are considered Heavy duty, Trucks, Big Block Fairlanes and Mustangs from the 60's, Mine is from a 72 Thunderbird with a 302 2 bbl!!
Vic, I think you broke it! Time for a Nodular Case?
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By Vic Correnti - 10 Years Ago
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Frank the Moser Nodular is back in. I was trying out a 4:56. Anyone out there have a 4:88 I can test?
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 10 Years Ago
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Ok, so the difference is only basically a weaker housing & carrier on the 57 rear, along with smaller bearings? If that is the case, I am not too worried. As the most I launch at is about 3000 rpm and right now with my radials and the new torque in my Y, I don't hook up until 3rd gear! Will have to learn how to launch Old Vicky again with the street tires!
I did break the previous housing I had in the car, but I believe that was due to the fact it was quite rusty before I sandblasted it and installed it (probably weak spots in the metal). Also the fact I was still running the slapper bars and got a LOT of wheel hop.
New housing came from Desert Valley Wreckers in Arizona with NO rust at all, just dirt! LOL
Only issue I am having with the new housing is axle seals. Replacing them a second time, as they are leaking again! Made sure the ones I just got were US made and not offshore, think that may be the issue.
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By Grizzly - 10 Years Ago
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Guys,
A little alternative thinking here, I have a dana 44 under my 56 Mainline ute and have been doing some research, as to up dating this axel, as it was the heavy duty option at the time and is held in high reguard in the 4WD market. It also has been used in performace cars; jaguar (E type & xj) corvette, dodge viper and ford XR8 (Australia). It has a very large aftermarket segment (look). http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/categoriesre.aspx?id=934
My knowledge so far. Up to 1972 dans 44 utilised 10 spline pinions and 19 spline axles. I assume that there is a great deal of similarity here. Aulburn Gear do a posi for early diffs http://aftermarket.auburngear.com/hp-series/dana-272.html
Yokes for early 10 spline 1310 uni's are available. 1350 if you look harder.
http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/ProductDetails.aspx?ProdID=2943&Product=YY_D44-1310-10S&Brand=Yukon_Gear_and_Axle
A word against the 9" (I'm in trouble here) ford dropped the 9" in favor of the 8.8 as it has high parisitic loss. A lesser diff will give you more power to the ground and better fuel economy. A 9" is a subsancial lump of iron, a smaller diff will help handling by reducing unsprung weight. I would assume that a Rebuilt, improved Dana 44 could be done for similar cost to a standard 9" fitted to your car.
My research ends with how compatable the dana 44 is but as it was used in a number of formats in a number of brands, I assume that it was a one size fits all. As a model Run It started with Jeep CJ (40's) and has run till current day. with a crown wheel of 8.9" (ish) it's no lightweight.
Regards
Warren
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By pegleg - 10 Years Ago
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Griz,
The 9" has some advantages although you are correct about the Hp losses. Mainly the ease of gear changes, the fact it fits most '50's fords easily and the cost and availability of parts. The 8.8 is a good substitute but for racing requires some mod's to retain the axles if one breaks and the gears are a little more difficult to swap. I've run both and in a late Mustang or Ranger I would stick with the 8.8 only because it's already in there.
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By Grizzly - 10 Years Ago
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Hi Frank,
I hear you, Often I see 9" used on car that don't need them. I was actually recomending the Big Window look at updateing the original Dana 44 as there is so much available for the early dana 44s now. As he is only looking for 300hp on a street drive car. An original dana 44 refirbished and with the option he wants would be more than enough.
some better links to parts. http://aftermarket.auburngear.com/vaf/product/list/?year=60&make=6&model=143
http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/c-284568-gears-install-kits-carriers-spider-gears-dana-spicer-gears-dana-44-d44-ring-and-pinions.html
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By 62bigwindow - 10 Years Ago
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On the subject of the Dana. I had another member recommend also to keep it. I was not aware that there was that much was available for the older models. I did have someone say that it was easy to upgrade to self adjusting rear brakes. I looked but didnt really find anything online. Anyone know how this is done? if i keep the Dana that would definitely be on the list of upgrades.
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By miker - 10 Years Ago
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IIRC, I saw that parts list or description (rear drum self adjusting) over at the Ford Barn. Someone here probably knows if they chime in.
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By slick56 - 10 Years Ago
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9" diffs were pretty rare (and expensive) here in Oz in the early drag racing days, so the Mainline ute Dana with 4.11:1 gears was plentiful and the strongest rear available.
I have replaced mine with a 3.56:1 Dana out of a 54 Courier, but with the AOD i am going back to the 4.11's.
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