Ford Model A Project, rear end choice?

Hey guys, so ive got an iron duke infront of a T5 trans, now i need to go witha rear end. I need something that will maintain the width for the wheel base on the Model A. I understand that the Ford 9 inch is a good choice, but are there not several different types? Anyways, any suggestions?

Also, is it absolutely nessecary that we even replace the rear end? OUr main concern is simply for better brakes.

thanks guys

 

You need to post a little more info about your car, such as is it full fendered, channeled and body style. For a full fendered car, the Ford Maverick 8" rear is a perfect fit at 56" wide wheel mounting flange to wheel mounting flange. The early Bronco (1966-77) 9 inch is 58".

 

Best width is a 2 wheel drive S-10 axle.

 

Go early 9". They are tough and look good under there. May need to be cut down on one side to fit right. Unless you find a mid 60's ford bronco rear, that should fit nicely with little or no mods. But they are hard to come by.
I went with a late 50's ford truck rear, smooth pumpkin and had to chop 1 side.

 

An 8" Ford will work in your app. Your T-5 would break long before you could break an 8". A suitable width would be easy to find. Disc brake kits and conversions are everywhere.

 

Personally i like quick change rears, you can pick up a used circle track one for a couple hundred bucks at a swap meet. Custom length axles and tubes, bolt on disc or drum brakes. The options are limitless. My brother actually has an extra rear sitting at my folks place.

 

Okay, so more info on the car real quick. It is full fender, its a 4 door. Just imagine an original Ford Model A look, thats the look we are keeping.

 

I'll second this ^^^^^^^

I'm new around here, so for what it's worth, the 10 bolt GM is a good choice. Depending on the year you find, it may even have disk brakes. Not to mention, they typically have a 5X5 bolt pattern offering billions of wheel options.

 

an 8 inch out of a Maverick will work great and keep your tires under the fenders

 

You can see the rear plainly from the back (unless it's channeled) and coil overs, modern rears look bad to me. I'm going to use a V8 banjo on my '28 Tudor, plenty strong for a 4 cyl or a warmed up V8.

 

thanks alot for the advice guys, now im torn between the 8 inch maverick and the S-10 axle, something to consider is that we are not building this car for performance as much as we are for reliability.

 

What he said.

 

I don't know what your wheel bolt pattern is on the front...but that may help you decide one way or the other.

 

Something like a 1957 Ford nine inch is perfect for your application, but they are getting hard to find and are expensive. The early 70's Ford 8 inch is affordable and will fit a Model A well.

 

I would NOT use a S-10 rear ... myself.





With all the bolts on the rear end ... they look funky ... to me.

The Maverick ( 5 lug stand Ford pattern ) is a 8 inch series rear end and is stronger, prettier and easier to work on.





The 8 inch axle bearings are easier to change, more plentiful and cost less. Also you can change the rear end gearing simply by changing the center section. On a S-10 type ... you HAVE to set them up ... in the housing.

 

True... I have F-100 Ford pattern on the front, and GM S-10 pattern on the back.

OTOH I don't carry a spare tire (let alone two) so it don't matter....

Nice chart:
http://www.carnut.com/specs/rear.html

 

I second.

 

Most of the axles mentioned above, other than the S-10 are extremely difficult to find and when you do, get ready to shell out the cash. In my location if you can find a 9", to get it narrowed and rebuilt is in the 1200-1800 dollar range depending on pumpkin, posi or not and gear ratio.
That's why I'm putting an 8.8 axle out of a Ford Explorer in my '29 Coupe. They are readily available through local auto dismantlers, many configuations -disc or drum, several ratios and posi or not. They are extremely strong and all the parts are readily available at any parts store.
Mine cost less than $75. with disc brakes and a posi from a local dismantler. I had the passenger side tube narrowed to match the drivers side and used an extra driver's side axle to get it to the 57" width I was planning for. the same guy redrilled my new discs to 4.3/4 bolt circle also. My total cost with rebuild is less than $325.00 and there are many nicely finned covers for these axles as well.
Just my .02...

 

ford 9, measure and pick one..
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302774

 

with an iron duke at maybe 90 horse just run your model a rear. you dont need a 9 inch.
whats year is your motor? any tricks to runnin' that t5 with it?

 

Bgaro, we considered that, however no one else recommended it.

And would it matter if we did 4 lug of 5 lug on the rear for the Maverick?

 

i'm using a '36 rear. don't use 4 lug your wheel choices will be limited.

 

If I remember correctly (posting from work, can't check) the Astro AWD van offered a limited slip differential, MAY work for an S-10 rear axle.

Also, that IronDuke had a performance following, could stroke it out to 181 cid with a Pontiac racing crank plus there was a racing block and DOHC head...but the OEM block was weak. You might want to poke about the internet for build ideas to get past that 9ohp.

 

What are you running for wheels? If you are going for a traditional look, which may include '35 Ford wheels, they used a 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern. Just so happens the early Bronco rears are the right width and bolt pattern.

 

For my 31 highboy coupe project I'm using a 1955 Ford Thunderbird Dana 44 rear. I also have a 55 Ford shoebox rear for a future project. Both are the perfect width fenders or not. I have a set of original 40 rims i will use, I like running the vintage stuff.

 

I'm using a 9" out of a 1969 F-100 for my 31 tudor sedan highboy project. It measures 62" backing plate to backing plate and fits perfect with a 3 1/2" kick-up in back.