Technical How To Narrow A 9 Inch Ford Rear End Housing:

[Larry T]

Fords are pretty standard at 2 1/2". The measurements for other axles are in the Mark Williams catalog.
Larry T

[Drive Em]

Originally Posted by Larry T

Fords are pretty standard at 2 1/2". The measurements for other axles are in the Mark Williams catalog.
Larry T

Most small bearing 8" and 9" Ford axles have a 2 1/2" brake offset, but most big bearing 9" Ford axles have a 2 3/8" brake offset.

[Larry T]

I don't know, but on all of the aftermarket axles I've ordered for Fords I've had them set up for 2.5 standout and never had any trouble with them. The only place I can see a problem is the drum not fitting the shoe right and unless tolerances stack up 1/8"/side isn't gonna be real critical. 1/4" total on rear end width shouldn't cause much problem either.
Larry T

[scottybaccus]

It depends on the brakes you run. My mid '70s truck drums for early big ford ends are 2 3/8" brake space.

[Drive Em]

Originally Posted by Larry T

I don't know, but on all of the aftermarket axles I've ordered for Fords I've had them set up for 2.5 standout and never had any trouble with them. The only place I can see a problem is the drum not fitting the shoe right and unless tolerances stack up 1/8"/side isn't gonna be real critical. 1/4" total on rear end width shouldn't cause much problem either.
Larry T

I was talking about factory Ford axles, with aftermarket axles, you can get anything you want. You're right, an 1/8" is no big deal if the barke offset is too big, but if the brake offset is too small, the drums might hit the backing plate and not seat all the way in.

[spark]

Originally Posted by Drive Em; The left side axle measures 25 5/8" from the outside of the flange to the end of the splines:

The right side axle measures 29 5/8" from the outside of the flange to the end of the splines:

29 5/8 – 25 5/8 = 4

Could you shorten the right side of the housing by 4 inchs and put in 2 left axles?

..
.

[Drive Em]

Originally Posted by spark

29 5/8 – 25 5/8 = 4

Could you shorten the right side of the housing by 4 inchs and put in 2 left axles?

..
.

You could, but your drive shaft would run at an angle. If you have the room, it will work as I have done them that way in the past.

[dirtbag13]

very nice tech !

[Kan Kustom]

Good thread.

[Rusty]

good stuff

[robt500]

thanks man

[brandonwillis]

good read

[robt500]

Originally Posted by Drive Em

I omitted the straightening of the housing process that goes along with the narrowing process because I am going to do a separate "Straighteneing A 9" Housing" article in a day or so. 9 out of 10 housings I work on are bent on at least one tube.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=393748

just to make the "straightening" thread easy to find

[fordcragar]

Very cool, thanks!

[brucer]

also to add on resplining axles, you cant turn down 31 spline axles turning them into 28spline .
you also have to pay attention to what axles you get. alot of the 70's axles have several different diameters on them and you cant just grab an axle and cut it off and start turning on it expecting it to work... you cut the hardness out of the axle making it useless... ive resplined a couple sets of axles and i splined/cut them to fit tight, they still ended up twisting after a couple years of service..

i would recommend just spending the money on good axles if your going to the effort and expense to cut down a rearend you can afford some nice axles..

[65stepside]

once again postin so i can find it later

[hotrod32@usfamily.net]

Thank you most informative ,I knew it wasn,t rocket science and as she goes measure, measure, measure thanks good post later

[fitzee]

Nice post.I take it the hosing was large bearing before? I have shorten a number of housings but never like this. cool.

[Paul]

thanks for bringing this one back up!

[31Vicky with a hemi]

thanks