So we've got two F100 shows coming up over the next couple of months in Tennessee and I just bought this '51 F1 so I'm really jacked up on Ford pickups! One of the first changes I want to make is the wheels and tires. The truck has a 12 bolt 9 1/4" Mopar rear end under it now which is really a few inches too wide. See how the rear tires are out to where they just do have clearance inside the fender? There is no room left for a wider wheel and tire combo unless the wheels are offset to the inside which is not what I want. What is a good rear end for the F1 and F100 trucks, maybe a later 9"? I'd like to run 8" wheels on the rear and 6" on the front. Got to lose the narrow white walls too!
57-72 pickup rear is probably what you want...9", 61" wide where the wheels bolt on. But they're 5.5" bolt circle, and we don't know what wheels you have now...are they 4.5" (ford/mopar car) bolt circle?
Nine inch rear ends come in many widths. I think the narrowest is the late fifties Ford Station wagons and the early Broncos. There are charts on the net that give dimensions. Bones
Yes they are 4.5" Mopar. I haven't measured the Mopar axle width but it's obviously too wide for the look I want. I'd like to have rear wheels with at least 2" more depth than what's on it. Right now I've got lot's of room between inside of tire and bed side/spring but no room between outside of tire and fender.
First step is to jack it up, pull the rear wheels and measure wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface to see what you have now. Then figure out what you need width wise to get you where you want to be and throw in lug bolt pattern depending on if you want to go with the 4-1/2 inch Ford car/Mopar car rear pattern or the 5-1/2 Ford Truck pattern.
Yes, I'll do that for sure. In the meantime here are some pics from the web showing the look I desire. If anyone has a F1/F100 that is similar, please let me know what rear you're running and wheel/tire combo. -thanks!
An 8.8 out of a 1993 - 2009 Ford Ranger has a 58 1/2" wms to wms. It has a 5 on 4.5 lug pattern. Info on Ranger and Explorer 7.5 and 8.8 rear ends here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-7_5-axle.shtml
Got mine out of a 68 Fairlaine. It’s a little narrow but the pics you posted have rear wheels that look reversed. You need a slightly narrower rear to use reversed wheels. A couple of pics of mine
@pkhammer Ranger 7.5” and 8.8” is 58.5” wide and have a sturdy housing and both can be found with either 9” or 10” drum brakes and are 5 x 4.5” bolt pattern. The pinion offset is about 2.75”, which may not be an issue in your application. Except for the center section parts size, all other dimensions and components are shared. Common ratios are 3.55/3.73/4.10. It is the mid range 7.5”/8.8” housing. Beefier than a Mustang, not as much as an Explorer or F-150. Certainly should be adequate for an F1 or F100. Ray
I am helping my step son do his 65 F100 and we have an extra rear end housing . Let me measure one and we may have one for sale.
The only problem with that era F100 rear, is the pinion is offset 4-3/8" to the pass side. They use the same length axle in both sides.
If you measure the actual wheels and tires you are going to use and then measure your truck to determine the rear end width; I'll bet you will be much happier with the results. Just saying.
The Ranger rear ends also came in a 56 1/2 WMS to WMS. The larger brakes are a direct bolt on exchange for the smaller brakes.
@Dino 64 Your truck has the look and stance I'm looking for. What wheel/tire size combo are you running?
Thanks, the rears are 275/75R15, wheels are 15” reversed chrome smoothies. Front are 225/R15 on standard 15” standard smoothies.
Thanks Dino 64! My '51 has the same OT front suspension but we can't talk about that too much. Shhhh...! I'm not sure what you mean about the rear end being "flipped"?
The rear end is mounted above the leaf springs lowering the body, instead of below the spring like stock. Lots of kits to do it, easier to do than that front end we’re not talking about !
Ok, the current rear end ('77 Dodge Van 12 bolt) measures 66 1/8" wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface which is about 5" too wide. I located a F100 9" out of a 1970 pickup that supposedly has a factory limited slip diff. I can snag very reasonably. From what I understand this should be a bolt-in. Bad thing is it has the 5 on 5.5 lug pattern and the current rear (and my front) has a 5 on 4.5. I suppose I can have the flanges re-drilled or it looks like Currie has new replacement axles (with bearings) with either BP for about $279.00. Also mid-70s Torino brake drums should slip right on as they had same 11" x 2 1/4" drum brakes. I think this is the way I'll go.
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