Putting a 5 speed S10 transmission in my '40 and want to go with a parallel leaf rear end. I have a Lincoln Versailles rear with discs, but really want to go the drum route since keeping original front end. What have others used? View attachment 3111605
Used to be the Versailles rear end was the piece to have, but now, there are better choices, try a ten bolt style Camaro, monte carlo, nova, they're fairly cheap, reliable and hold up well. It's what I use, they're common and easily found.
At least use an f100 or similar ford rear so the bolt pattern stays the same, or doesn't have to be re-machined. May be too wide, but Google rear end widths, lots of charts on line that have the info you need. I think the Bronco rears are correct width and have the 5 on 5 1/2 inch bolt pattern your 40 has.
As stated above, the Bronco rear with 5.5X5 pattern is best bet so will still have same bolt pattern all around. Snag is that the older and narrower Bronco rears are getting hard to find and pricey to boot in many areas. My second choice would be an 8" Ford rear from a Maverick or Granada but bolt pattern will be 4.5X5 so will need new wheels for back but deeper dish rear wheels look good to me. Regardless of rearend, go with Chassis Engineering bolt on rear kit and include the 1.5" lowering blocks in your order so can tweak location of rearend front to back and lower the rear at the same time. I've used this combo on many 36 and 40 Fords; cars and pickups. The pickup above has CE rear kit with lowering blocks and Granada rearend. It had disc brakes on front with 4.5X5 pattern so ended up with same pattern all around; just not the stock 5.5X5 pattern. Hopefully you'll find a Bronco rearend. Good luck, Al
If I'm not mistaken you can change what you to drum and use Bronco drum backing plate and axles . Both are large bearing housing . Chassis Engineering is the answer to kit to springs and hangers. I did a 35 with Nissan truck spring and hangers , worked great just a bit of a hassle to determine hanger locations without load on the springs . 3 or4x of tacking and removing and changing locations before I got it correct
You really should first consider a front brake upgrade, (starting with a Lincoln/Bendix) along with the new rear suspension and much better rear braking.
as long as you allready have the rear end and would be using a turbo 350 or a Saginaw 3 speed or Muncie four speed you can get this front disc brake kit from speedway . $229.00 part number 91031940 . best option if using a 5 speed sell your rear end and get a 66 -77 bronco 9 inch as suggested. bronco would be best because of gear ratios for 5 speed. bronco will be 3.50 to 4.11 .gears. the Lincoln will be 2.79 to 3.0 which would be no good for the 5 speed.
To lazy to pull up the charts but isn't an early Bronco rear about the same as a Maverick width wise? If so, probably too narrow for the 40. I used a 9" out of an early 60's Ford car in my 40 PU, fit perfect with a 8" rim and 235/60 tire. The 41 PU I'm building now came with what looks to be a Granada 9" on Chassis Engineering springs, looks to be about the same width. My guess is you'll have a hard time finding the right width in a 5.5 bolt pattern unless you go with a pre 57 Ford truck axle.
As stated, the early Bronco is perfect for this vehicle. That's what I have in my 39 with the Chassis Engineering kit. You can use F-1 front brakes as an upgrade also, makes them self energizing.
here is my black 40 coupe with a 66 bronco nine inch and here is my crème 40 convert with a maverick rear. both perfect fit for a 40 with 15 x7 wheel with 3.75 back space and a 235 75 15 tire. fits like it was made for it. 66 - 77 bronco 5 on 5 1/2 . maverick 5 on 4 1/2 . have owned 40s for 50 years
An early Bronco rear is 58" wheel mount to wheel mount, a Maverick is 56". I believe the Granada is also 58".
I stand corrected. Thinking about it I guess the Maverick was too narrow to use the wheels I had is all, been a few years.
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