I've been told that the easy way to put a Ford 9" under a hot rod is to get an "early" Econoline rear with a significant differential offset, cut the long side to center the differential, then get another short side (passenger side) axle shaft for the shortened side. I've searched around, and I can't find much on this concept. Maybe someone here can tell me: 1. What years E-series van has the offset differential? 2. How much was it offset? 3. What was the original axle width (flange to flange)? 4. What axle width would you have if you shortened the long side to match the short side? Thanks! Untame
I just did a 8.8 from an explorer. Easy peazy Much easier to find than early econoline 9". More like tripping over them. Ends up being 56.5 WMS and 5x4.5 bolt patern. 95 and up to 2001?2 is disk brakes, after that is independent rear suspension. 94 and eerier is drum brakes. 1/2 or more are LSD with 373 gears being the most common. All 8.8 carriers will fit and swap so gears are available out of anything with a 8.8. Heavy duty, strong and ball buster heavy.
Car is a '29 Ford -- no fenders. I'm building a custom back end -- body will be 51" wide at the axle. Wheels are zero offset 6x15. I'm going to run 235mm (9.25" sidewall width) radials on the back. I'll start a thread on it soon.
I can't remember the measurements...but I did measure one out years ago with the intention of doing just what you describe. I do remember being disappointed at how wide the axle would still be after the work. Maybe for an early Ford it would work, but for whatever I was planning at the time it was still too wide. Point being...do your homework before you spend your cash!
Bronco rears are HARD to come by nowdays, And for what its worth with the Econoline rear, I've heard that swapping an axle from side to side is not recomended. Reverse twisting??? or some thing likje that makes them prone to snap??? Heck, for a street car I'd try it!!!!
Econoline axle is pretty wide. I remember looking at one in the junkyard several years ago, but it was too wide; sorry do not recall the measurement I think was like 65 inches range. It is 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern.
Yeah, but he is talking about narrowing the housing to accommodate two short-side shafts. Still, that, and an early Bronco axle are getting in short supply.
Axle Widths: 65-66 Mustang 57.25 inches 67-70 Mustang 59.25 inches 71-73 Mustang 61.25 inches 77-81 Versailles 58.50 inches 67-73 Mustang, Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane 9" 59.25 inches to 61.25 inches 57-59 Ranchero and station wagon rears, 57.25 inches 66-77 Bronco 9", 58 inches 77-81 Granada/Versailles, 58 inches 67-71 Comet, Cougar, Mustang, Fairlane, 59.25 inches 71-73 Mustang, 61.25 inches 64 Falcon 58 inches 67 Cougar 60 inches 67 Fairlane 63.50 inches (coil springs) 72 Ford Van 3/4 ton 68 inches 73-86 65.25 inches 57-59 Ranchero and station wagon 57.25 iches (narrowest 9" housing) 66-77 Bronco 58 inches but has 5-on-5 1/2 inch diameter bolt circle 67-73 Torinos, Rancheros, Fairlanes 59.25 inches or 61.25 inches Hope this helps
Outside Width year Model 56.50 1969-1977 Maverick 8" 57.00 1974-1978 Mustang II 8" 57.25 1957-1959 Ford, Ranchero, Station Wagon 57.25 1965-1966 Mustang 58.00 1966-1977 Bronco 58.00 1964-1965 Falcon 58.00 1977-1981 Granada/Versailles 58.50 1977-1981 Versailles 59.25 1967-1970 Mustang, Fairlane, Comet, Cougar 60.00 1967 Cougar 60.00 1958-1960 Edsel 61.00 1964-1971 Ford Full Size 61.00 1949-1951 Mercury 61.25 1957-1972 Ford F-100 Pickup 61.25 1960-1964 Ford Full Size 61.25 1971-1973 Mustang 61.25 1967-1973 Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane 63.00 1970-1979 Ranchero & Torino 63.00 1972-1979 Ford Full Size & Intermediate 63.50 1967 Fairlane (Coil Springs) 65.25 1973-1986 Ford F-150 Pickup 65.25 1978-1986 Bronco 65.25 1973-1986 Ford Van 3/4 Ton 68.00 1972 Ford Van 3/4 Ton 69.25 1977-1986 Ford E-150 Van
I had one end of a 9 inch housing cut /shortened by 3 inches for use in my coupe and had custom axles with 3 different bolt circles drilled for my coupe. I do not know if the housing was from a truck or van. It really makes no differance. I needed a wide axle width for the coupe of 62 inches and this was the way I did it. This also centered the pinon for the driveline cenerline
I added/corrected a few items. This chart has been around for a while, I used it to find a rear for my Lincoln and found several errors in it. Also, width can vary by as much as .25" due to manufacturing tolerances, I guess as long as it was within .25" they called it good!
The early bronco is not a centered diff either just to clarify, but sure is a nice width to use in these early bodies.
At least with an Econoline rear end with two right side axles you won't need to worry about tires rubbing the body.... they'll be a foot away! The "short" axle in a 68-74 Econoline is something like 4" longer than a Galaxie long side.
I picked up a 67 Bronco rear axle at a 4 wheel drive wrecking yard for 400 bucks a couple of years ago, he had 2 more early rear ends at that time. HRP
Responding to this zombie post since I actually used the offset Econoline axle. I shortened the long side 8" and centered the housing and it measures about 62" or so from brake drum to brake drum. Just using another short side axle didn't work. I had to shorten the shaft. This gives a 5 1/2" wheel bolt pattern.
The Econoline in question is not the real early one with the beam axle and the engine between the seats, but the next generation with the short nose and twin I beams. Maybe I have a rubber tape measure, so here is a picture of my shortened rear end. Looks like a good width to me.
I'm thinking with equal length axles the pinion offset is more like 2". To center the pinion the one axle needs to be ~ 4" longer than the other with the right (passenger) side being the longer axle. Lynn
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