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By Fordy Guy - 15 Years Ago
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Hello Ys guys, I am wanting to change the rearend in my 55 Bird to a 9 incher.I made a search for 9" rearends and got some good info. Ted Eaton said that any 57-59 rear would be the same dimensions as the 55 rearends. He didin't mention T-Birds, so I'm wondering if it would be the same as the cars. Also I may be able to get a 9 inch out from under an early Ford pickup,58-60ish. would that have the same diminsions as a 54-59 car or T-Bird? I'm wanting to beef up my running gear in my Bird cuz I'm saving to have a strong 292 to put in it and buy a pair of John Ms heads.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 15 Years Ago
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Bud: I believe the truck rear ends are wider than passenger car. By the way, that Dana rear in your Bird now is pretty strong, stronger than '55 passenger cars. The factory put it in pickups, wagons, sedan deliveries, and police cars as well as your Bird.
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By Vic Correnti - 15 Years Ago
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Here is my two cents. I have a 55 Tbird with a 58 passenger car 9 inch rear end. It was about 1 inch wider but bolted right in. What I regret is that this rear end did not have the bigger axel bearings. Maybe someone out there knows if any of the 9 inch ones fit and have the bigger bearings. I do have 31 spline axels in this housing now using different bearings that Moser came up with for me so no big show stopper.
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By Glen Henderson - 15 Years Ago
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I have heard the the 57 wagon and ranchero axles have the bigger bearings. I do know that they have bigger brakes.
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By Fordy Guy - 15 Years Ago
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Thanks for the responses guys, I know the dana I have is a good rearend, It just doesn't have the traction I am going to want in the future and I don't know if you can put any kind of posi or limited slip parts in it. I know the yoke on the rear end looks awful delicate so I don't try popping the clutch too much. I know I can probably change rear yokes to a better design but I would really prefer a nine inch. If I have to, I can get a later 9 inch and have it narrowed and change the spring perches but was feeling around to see if anything else would sorta drop in. Thanks for your input , it's always nice to logon to a great bunch of guys that know what they or talking about.
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By MoonShadow - 15 Years Ago
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I think you can also buy the axle ends for the big bearings too. The early Bronco's had the narrowest 9" I've found and with big axle's. You have to change axle shafts to get the bolt pattern down from 5" or have them redrilled. If you are going for perfromance you would probably change to upgraded axle's anyway. Chuck in NH PS I may have a spare Bronco if you are interested. I'll have to measure it to be sure.
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By marvh - 15 Years Ago
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The 57-59 wagons, ranchero's and retractable had larger axle bearings than regular passenger cars. These are usually referred to as the Torino bearing. It is the medium bearing. Easy way to tell if larger bearing is the axle is held in by four 1/2 inch bolts were the smaller bearing housing as used on the passenger cars have four 3/8 bolts.
You can swap the backing plates out on a nine inch and use the drums from the early 60's cars which have wider shoes.
I have 57 wagon rear end in my car with 64 wagon backing plates and drums. The std 56 rear shoes were 1-3/4" wide. The wagon shoes are 2-1/2" wide. Real difference in stopping power.
The 56 housing and 57 nine housings are the same width. The measurement for 57 nine inch from axle flange to axle flange is if I recall is 3/8" wider than the 56's.
Here is some info on widths
http://www.mustangsandmore.com/ubb/FordRearDimensions.html
marv
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By Y block Billy - 15 Years Ago
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Crap I should know all this by heart and being one of the younger Y Blockers I am trying not to blame it on senileism but I have just been through this when installing a 57 9" from an Edsel under my 55 Vicky. The bearing dimensions when installing 31 spline axles the ID of the bearing and the OD of the bearing is real close (Why Can' I remember those dimensions off them top of my head?) Moser is the only outfit out there that sells those bearings. believe me I searched all the other rearend outfits out there along with the bearing outfits. they must have the monopoly on those bearings is all I can say. If you need the dimension and part numbers let me know and I will get it for you. I just don't have it handy at the moment and don't dare to say what I think that may be incorrect.
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By RB35 - 15 Years Ago
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I may have access to some of the late '50's, early 60's t-birds. Does anyone know if they also used the 9" rear? Thanks, RB
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By paul2748 - 15 Years Ago
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Early 60's Tbirds used the 9 inch rear, but they were wide.
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By pegleg - 15 Years Ago
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You might try 67 thru 70 BIG BLOCK Mustangs. If you can find one. The Small blocks used an 8" carrier, which looks the same.
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