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In this Discussion
- 46HudsonPU April 2006
- Cosmo@avaloncity.com April 2006
- courtesyman April 2006
- hemiEssex April 2006
- junkcarfan April 2006
Which 9" Ford rear-end
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I want to replace the rear-end on my 47 truck. I have been told the the 8" Ford works the best. Does anyone know from which vehicles I can get this from. I know it needs to be 55" wide and from a car. The salvage yards won't help unless I know what vehicles could be the donor. I have a 308 in the truck and 3 speed without the overdrive. My rear seems to be a 5.0. I will also need saddles. Any recommendations and experiences with this would sure cut out a lot of trial and error.
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I don't know exactly which 9" Ford fits, but I do know they are from early cars, such as 1957 era cars, and early Cougars, which makes them valuable and scarce because those cars are now very collectible.
Also, a 9" Ford is THE preferred rear for hot rods because it is so strong, which adds to its value. Therefore, junkyard specimens are pretty much gone, so folks who build hot rods and use them usually buy reproduction clones. (see #3 below).
Several suggestions: First,Google the web for "rear axle width", I no longer have that info but that's what I did. There are sites that have that info.
Second, a Ford 8.8 inch which comes in 5.0 Mustangs and many other applications is plenty strong for a 308. They are much more plentiful.
Third, if you must go with a 9" Ford, you can have one custom made, but that is expensive. Moser is one source.
Fourth, MoPar axles from late 60's fit, and have the Hudson wheel bolt pattern. I put a 1968 Plymouth Fury (full size car) axle in my 1940 Hudson. That family of axles is also strong, and used for racing. (My car is for sale - its axle will bolt into your pickup perfectly, hoses, and all. The e-brake cables might need to be changed for longer ones, but they are from a modern source. The axle is all new inside--3:55 ratio gears, bearings, brakes, everything. Check the recent White Triangle News for cars for sale.)
As for hangars, you can chop the Hudson ones off and re-use them, or have a welding shop fabricate new ones, or modify the ones that come with your axle.
A good source for welding and labor on rear axles is a shop that builds high-rise 4X4 pickup trucks. They swap axles all the time, and are familiar with the hidden problems such as getting the axle housing tilted at the proper angle so the car won't vibrate itself to pieces.
Good luck. -
The rearend ratio that came on all 46-47 Hudson trucks is 4 5/9, at least according to the literature I have. That, along with the standard 3-speed trans does not make for a pleasurable cruise on modern highways...
You probably want to "do the math" on what gear ratio is best for your driving & engine rpm, but something with a 3.4 - 3.8 gear ratio would probably work well.
Here is a link for some info on rearends - (go toward the bottom for some charts) -
http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs&rearend.htm -
A while back I posted what worked for me - should be able to search for it. Anyway
short version is I use a 1971 Cougar Ford 9 inch in my 1947 Hudson truck with 3:50 gears and running 1956 Hornet 308 and Hudson 3 speed with overdrive out of 1948-52
Hudson. I plan to go with 3:78 gears when I find a set. -
The perfect solution. Ford Explorer rear. They have good road gears, are 54 inches flange to flange are newer and usually in better shape, they come in either drum or rear discs. Ford explorers came with 302s so they will have no problem handling the power. I just bought a 2003 unit, with all disc brakes, calipers, rotors and emergency brake cables 5000 miles on it for $800.00 Canadian. Can't beat it. And unless you are going to drag race with it, you will never need to build it stronger. Ratio was 3.73. They also had one with 3.55. This is the new thing in hot rod rears. The wrecking yard I use is small but they had 6 to choose from, all priced according to years and mileage. I got the newest and paid the most. If you do not want rear discs, you could probably buy it for 300.00. The cost of one axle for a shortened 9 inch.
Just my 2 cents
Steve -
Was browsing Ebay, and saw this -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8057860142&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
$575.00 + $190.00 shipping. Supposed to be 59" hub-to-hub. Don't know what these go for 'new', but thought it might be of interest. Looks like the seller has a few of these to sell too... -
I got an 8.8 off of a 84 Grand Marquis. The brakes have just been rebuilt and drums turned. The axle bolts are new and the seal is not factory so it may be rebuilt also. I had to torch off some of the mounts but it should work out fine. 3.08 gears. Only $125 at the local salvage yard. I also got a seat out of a ranger that should work. Now for the rear end swap next week. First I will blast and encapsulate this one and then spray it with some Diamond clear from Eastwood. I am going to remove 4 springs on each side also. I may add some air adjustable shocks like Hudson Dave did. Well more progress as time allows.
