axle width

Having looked on previous posts I am none the wiser, Anyone know what width a Bronco rear end is wheel face to wheel face. Some data suggests 58 but not sure is this is wheel face to face or axle flange to flange.

Looking for a new rear end for my model A modified but want something with 5 x 5.5 pcd any other suggestions around the 58 wide mark.

Thanks James

 

I have an early Bronco in my Tudor Model A with fenders and it fits perfect within the wheel wells with 31" rear tires. Not sure of the measured width, but the early Bronco's are one the narrowest Ford 9" rears, as are the 1957 Rancheros and Mustangs and fit the Model A best in my opinion. I have a 1957 posi Ranchero in my 5 window Model A coupe and it is just alittle wide for the fenders, but rather than go through the trouble and expense of narrowing 2" I have left it there for the last twenty years with no problem. Again it has 31" tires and on occasion on a corner with a passenger I will get slight tire rub on the edge of the fender, but hell it's a hot rod not a show car and it works for me. I think you will be happy with the Bronco.

 

Here's a list of axle widths

Tips on Ford Rears, by Dan JonesRear Widths:65-66 Mustang 57 1/4 inches67-70 Mustang 59 1/4 inches71-73 Mustang 61 1/4 inches77-81 Versailles 58 1/2 inchesDave W. personally measured:79 Mazda RX-7 57.5 inches74 Maverick 8" 56.5 inches75 Mustang II 8" 57.0 inchesFrom Street Rodder:67-73 Mustang, Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane 9" 59-1/4 to 61-1/457-59 Ranchero and station wagon rears, 57-1/466-77 Bronco 9", 58"77-81 Granada/Versailles, 58"67-71 Comet, Cougar, Mustang, Fairlane, 59-1/4"71-73 Mustang, 61-1/4"From Fatman Fabrications:70-77 Maverick 5 lug 8" 57 inches57-59 Ford 9" 57 inches75-80 Granada & Lincoln Versailles 58 inches67-70 Mustang/Cougar/Fairlane 58 inches71-73 Mustang/Cougar 60 inches73-76 Torino 62 inchesMisc Sources:64 Falcon 58" 67 Cougar 60" 67 Fairlane 63 1/2" (coil springs)72 Ford Van 3/4 ton 68 1/2" 73-86 65 1/4" 57-59 Ranchero and station wagon 57 1/4" (narrowest 9" housing)66-77 Bronco 58" but has 5-on-5 1/2 inch diameter bolt circle (can be redrilled)67-73 Torinos, Rancheros, Fairlanes 59 1/4 or 61 1/4" 67-71 Comets, Cougars, Fairlanes 59 1/4 inches9" sources 67-73 medium and big block Mustangs and Cougars66-71 Fairlanes, Torinos, Montegos, Comets, and other Ford intermediates with big blocks57-59 V8 Fords and Mercurys 77-81 Lincoln VersaillesTrucksHousing Types67-73 Mustang/Cougar-light duty, thinnest housing material, small axle bearings, 28 and 31 splines57-68 passenger car and 1/2 ton truck -medium duty, stronger than Mustang type, 28 and 31 splinesRanchero/Torino heavy duty thick wall housing, 3 1/4" diameter axle tubes with flat tops69-77 Galaxies (coils), Lincolns (coils), and late pickups (leaf) -3 1/4" dimeter all the way to the backing plate, coil housings haveupper control arm mountHousing Centers57 no dimples, flat center band up the center of the rear cover, bottom drain plug 58-59 two dimples on back of housing, flat center band, some had drain holes60-67 two dimples, flat center band, oil level hole in back cover?? one year only 1/2 ton truck housing welded together from two halves L/R63-77 Lincoln, LTD, Thunderbirds had 9 3/8" centers, housings were cut away at the gasket surface for ring gear clearance, one curved rib at the front top portion of differential, strong but no gears Axles28 spline axles cannot be shortened and resplined (they're tapered)72 and earlier 31 spline axles are shortenable 73 and later 9" (cars) have a 5-on-5 bolt circle and non-shortenable axles67-73 Mustang axles identified by wheel flangeval hole - 28 splinestwo large holes and counter sunk center - 31 splines

 

These measurements are from flange to flange. Subtract 5" for bare housing length.

65-66 Mustang 57.25 inches
67-70 Mustang 59.25 inches
71-73 Mustang 61.25 inches
77-81 Versailles 58.50 inches
74 Maverick 8" 56.50 inches
75 Mustang II 8" 57.00 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
67-71 Comets, Cougars, Fairlanes 59.25 inches

This is straight off the NET and I have not verified. I BELIEVE it to be correct though.

You posted while I was looking for info! GREAT additional information there CJ!!!

 

The early Bronco rear is 58 inches.........measured this way.....



They work great under early Fords........because they also have the 5 on 5.5 wheel pattern.

I have a early Bronco under my full fendered 32 Roadster




There are 2 basic Bronco rear ends....the 2700 LB one.......and it has the standard Ford passenger car wheel bearing. The second rear is a 3300 LB one. It has the larger wheel bearing like a Ford pickup. Both are common bearings and easily found and replaced. I have the 2700 LB axle under my 32 Roadster.

As a general rule, the 2700 axle comes with 10.5 diameter brake drums and the 3300 axle comes with 11 inch drums. I have owned both.......and they do NOT interchange due to the axle bearing spacing and the pattern on the backing plate.

Most are factory equipped with a Posi.......and 3.50 is the highest gear I have found in one. Lots of them are 4.10

.

 

thanks guys

 

I don't want to steel this post, but I have a question about a 9inch. A guy gave me a 9 inch out of a F-100 and it is 57 1/4 from backing plate to backing plate. Do 9 inch rears work out of trucks and if not what is the down side of one? Thanks.

Travis