Technical Model A build, what width rear axle to use?

That unicorn I would love to see . . . . a 1955 9".

 

I run a 1950/2 Ford flathead diff behind my 289 V8.
It is a nice width, light weight, with decent width brake shoes and comes in a 3.7:1 ratio stock.
Best $50 I ever spent in 1980 and still running...

 

If you are not too worried about a period specific axle, a great candidate is the late model Jeep Wrangler JK Dana 44. Narrow it to your exact width and have shafts resplined. Pretty much bomb proof. I have a fixture for true-ing the tubes before welding them to ensure bearing hub-carrier-bearing hub are dead true.


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Seems to me the Bronco axle might not be the best choice. What you really need to do is get those Speedway wheel adapters you mentioned, bolt them up to your '35 wires with the actual tires you are running, Set them under the fenders where you want them to be, and measure between them. Then see if can find a 8" or 9" car rear (4-1/2" bolt pattern that will fit the Speedway adapter) the right size. A Maverick may be close. Another thing, some times it is possible to only narrow one side of the rear, you only need to deal with one axle. If your car isn't together enough to hang rear fenders; just measure the fender width on another A.

 

Listen to Rich B

 

What vehicle is yours from? Or are they all teh same width? truck or car?

 

We used a S10 rearend on our 31 roadster. With the wheel support ring and the spacers you will need , It ended up just right with 35 wires.

 

Since you already have as running,driving Model A , why don't you put on the 35 wire wheels and see what kind of clearance there is and adjust accordingly?

 

On a model A, I'm in favor of an S-10. Cheap, fits well and unless you beat hell out of it, will hold up well. Narrow enough for your wires and adapters, and narrow enough for just about any wheels you decide on. Good ratios from 3;20's to 3:72 and cheap and really available. S-10. Bill Rinaldi

 

Like @fiftyv8 said, The rear in my full fendered 30 coupe is also from a 51 F1 pickup.
I run 40's steel wheels 16x4 and the fit is perfect for the fenders.
If you decide to go this route but want more meat on the back of the car, I have a set of rims that have been widened to 7" or 8" for this specific application to "fill up the fender"
Chappy

20180628_081227 by Chappy444 posted Jun 28, 2018 at 8:13 AM

20180417_152442 by Chappy444 posted Feb 3, 2019 at 7:37 PM

 

Your building HotRod, Why are you not looking at Quick changes? straight from Winters catalog.