Register now to get rid of these ads!

Caddy 500 and a 51 merc rearend

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jfrolka, Jul 3, 2010.

  1. jfrolka
    Joined: Oct 4, 2007
    Posts: 898

    jfrolka
    Member

    I picked up a Caddy500 and 400 trans to put in my 51 merc and I'm trying to find a rearend to match... I need a very low 3.0? or 2.9? that will be around 60-61" wide.... Maybe I can buy a ring& pinion set for my factory mercury rearend but I have read about problems with the axles in a stock merc rearend being problematic? Can anybody shed some light on this for me?
     
  2. Rich Rogers
    Joined: Apr 8, 2006
    Posts: 2,018

    Rich Rogers
    Member

    try to find a 9 inch from a country squire wagon. There plenty strong but I ve also heard stories that they won't hold the big Cad either from alot of hard use
     
  3. mj40's
    Joined: Dec 11, 2008
    Posts: 3,303

    mj40's
    Member

    The chart shows your Merc at 61" wide. If you want to stay to the same bolt pattern maybe the 57-72 Ford Pickup would be a good choice at 61.25"
     
  4. 70-81 camaro/firebird rear axles are 60" wide. Most had a ratio between 2.80 and 3.00. They are cheap and pretty strong.
     

  5. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    X2

    and the Ford pickup has the same wheel pattern as your 51 Mercury ... so you only need 1 spare.

    :D
     
  6. UnIOnViLLEHauNT
    Joined: Jun 22, 2004
    Posts: 4,827

    UnIOnViLLEHauNT
    Member

    Ive used F100 rears and IMO it isnt worth it, yes you get the bolt pattern but they are all highway screamer gear ratios (that I have come across). You can obviously swap out centers and this and that, but now you are getting more involved. One spare is nice though, I will say that.
     
  7. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    In my area ... if you look at the 67/68 up to 72 F-100's ... a good many of them were automatics from the factory. Quite a few have 3.25 rear end ratios and some even with 3.00 :D

    Another reason to get as late a F-100 rear end as possible ( up to 72 ) is the later ones have self adjusting brakes ( something I like having :) ).
     
  8. UnIOnViLLEHauNT
    Joined: Jun 22, 2004
    Posts: 4,827

    UnIOnViLLEHauNT
    Member

    Really? There is a 68/auto near me for $500. Truck is crunched but good for steering box and maybe rear? Might be worth another look!
     
  9. Mines a 9" Pick-up rearend,and I just swapped in some 2.95 gears. Love it!!!!
     
  10. jfrolka
    Joined: Oct 4, 2007
    Posts: 898

    jfrolka
    Member

    I will keep a 68-72 pickup in mind, thanks!

    Why doesn't anybody use the Dana 44 rear end and swap out the ring/pinion???
     
  11. What engine are you running?
     
  12. snap too
    Joined: Dec 13, 2005
    Posts: 259

    snap too
    Member
    from lost wages

    "Some" 71-72 Ford pickups came with a Dana 60 9 3/8" RP with 5x5 1/2" axles. They were mostly GSA ordered and are pretty rare these days . Ratios were most likely 3:50 and 4:10. not to sure of the spline count on the axles though. Another thing to consider is that the 51 Merc. was a Dana 44, basically the same center section that Corvettes used with their manual trannies, autos were D-35. Another option is the late Exploder V/8 4x4 rears 8.8" R&P and 31 spline axles with disk brakes,can be narrowed and redrilled for 5x5 1/2"
     
  13. Early T-brids 58-63 NOT SURE BUT 64 -66? have a 9" that are 59" wide and have fairly tall gears. This rear end is great if you are planning to run skirts and want a deceant size tire that will not rub on your skirts. The only neg is you will need to drill the axles to the 5.5" pattern or change wheels.
     
  14. atomickustom
    Joined: Aug 30, 2005
    Posts: 3,409

    atomickustom
    Member

    One spare tire? That's why God gave us multi-lug wheels! (It was God, wasn't it?)
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.