65-66 mustang 8 inch is less than a half inch wider than stock. So less than a quarter inch on each side. I just installed one in mine. Sent from my SM-G977U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I just measured the 55 bird rearend and its a bit over 57in. The stock is 56.5 according to the chart. Might use the bird rear and bulge the skirts out a bit. Wondering if anyone else has used these fiberglass "bubble " skirts? The 55 rear is a good one. It was in my bros T bird but the gear was to low for him so he replaced it with a Maverick 8in with a highway gear. The price is right for a budget car.
I guess that could work fine, thats really close of the original. I guess you know this already, but the Maverick rear end swap for the shoebox is a really common thing. I bought mine from US, we dont have much Mavericks in here. I have no idea what the pricing for those are at these days, but i think they are getting harder to find.
I measured my stock rear. It is 57 inches mounting surface to mounting surface. What size tire are you running that makes you need to push the skirt out? I'm running a 57.5 inch rear and standard skirts and they fit perfectly with 6.00x16 tires. Are your wheels stock width and offset? Sent from my SM-G977U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Flatout51,I have aftermarket glass bubble skirts and they roll under the body . They clear the front of the tire but touch at the rear . Rear end is stock with stock bias ply 6.00 or 6.50 tires. The skirts are made for 49-51 Fords . The dealer told me I may have to bow them out a bit so he knew other people have had this problem. So I either find a narrower rear or modify the skirts. Im hoping someone else here has gone thru this and can advise. Wheels are stock 15in .
I honestly wouldn't be afraid of the stock rear end if budget is that critical. With the auto trans the odds of you hurting it are slim to none. Then a slight push to the skirt or an offset wheel and you're golden. Sent from my SM-G977U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I will use the stock rear or the bird rear and bulge the skirts a bit. I like the look of the skirts so I will make it work. I have to check the gear on the bird rear to make sure its not too low a gear.
Can you post a picture of how the skirts fit now? Get a better idea of how they are hitting? Sent from my SM-G977U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I have an early to mid '70s Comet V-8 dropout (the V-8 versions have 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern) under my Deuce roadster with a 3.73 posi. Just had to have a posi ! Don't know the width but it fit like a glove under my car and a couple '40 sedans and pickups we put together. The knowledgeable ones say it will handle abt 400 HP unless you run 12" slicks. Reduces the unsprung weight a bit.
Most 8in rears can take the power of a V8 unless you have big gummy tires.I will probably run the T-bird rear. They had ohv V8s so I would think they will take the power of a 283.I dont beat on my cars anyway,well, maybe on the 39,but it has a 9in. Like I said , the bird rear is free and its a good one,havent found much info on them tho. 8in,9in?
Did a little research. All ford cars used the same axle 49-55 except the wagon. Read on the Ford barn 55 Thunderbird used the same rear as the standard 55 Ford. So that Thunderbird rear is the same rear you have in the car now. Shoebox central sells the pinion yolk and says 49-55 had the same rear. Sent from my SM-G977U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Not a 51, but I love shoebox coupes. Good luck with yours , really digging what you are starting with.
You're running the stock rear with your 289 aren't you Tim? Sent from my SM-G977U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Yes and stock 3spd with OD. I did take the ring and pinion from a 51 auto car that had a 3.31:1 ratio. 70mph is about 2300 rpm.
Thanks for the research and info. The stock rear will be ok for a low n slow cruiser. I think its gear ratio is around 3:7o .I read that the diff yolk was the week link but Ford used better metal in the later ones.Cant remember if I read that here or on another shoebox sight.
I'm curious as well if the t bird axle works for my own selfish reasons LOL. I have a 64ish 9 inch out of a t bird behind the barn I thought about using.
Not too far from each other. Ive got some '51 parts laying around, nothing serious but maybe something you can use. If you need anything hit me up. I do have some 49 and 50 bumpers that are decent.
Mopar Tony-that rear end is probably fairly wide. I once used a Lincoln rear and found out it was a rare 9 1/4 . Good rear but could not get gears . Just things to look out for-not all rears are equal.
You beat me to it but my info says 91-92 Rangers. I used one from a 91 Ranger under my '51. It was simple, just had to weld on the spring saddles in the right place. They're usually pretty inexpensive too, I paid $125 at the local yard.
Thanks for the rear end info guys, I am going for the bird rear but if that does not pan out I will try for the Ranger.
I think a 55 TBird rear end is probably the same as the one you have. Now a 57 Tbird used a 9 inch, that's the one you want.
Havnt had much time to work on the 51, but I did get that nasty dent out of the trunk. I also put new quarter windows in.I have to get the doors off and of course the hinge bolts will not budge. I think I will weld nuts on them and hope for the best. I have a T coupe in for an interior right now so it will be be in August some time.Customers come first.
a shot of how my 51 sits. I think similar to what you're thinkin....maybe not quite as low in back as you want....
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