Currently gathering parts for 9" rear for fenderless model a. I have a housing thats real nice and measures 52 1/4 from housing flange to flange. Big early ford bearing. Im trying to decide on axles and need 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern for 40 ford wheels. I think from what i have been researching that it may be a granada rear based on perch width. Will early bronco axle shafts fit this housing. Both Granada and Bronco are advertised as 58in wheel flange to wheel flange.
If it has the original mounting pads and or brackets you might be able to id it that way Searching for early Bronco rear axle info I found a lot of Bronco axle parts peddlers but no flange to flange width measurements. You might take a look at this and even call them and ask how wide the stock housing is though http://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product/ford-9-rear-axle-housing-66-76-big-bearing
I believe the early bronco, granada, and lincoln versaille rear housing measure 58 inches wheel mount to wheel mount, and the axles would interchange. What I am not sure of is the bearings the same between all of them. If so the early bronco axles would give you the bolt pattern needed. A 1980 mercury monarch also measure in that size of 58 inches.
If the only reason for the Bronco shafts is to get 5 x 5.5, it might be easier to have your existing ones redrilled to that pattern. My Son had the Moser axles on his 9 incher redrilled to 5.5 by Moser, there was enought meat on the ends to just make it. Just a suggestion. Don
I just measured the large bearing Bronco in my shop 53 3/8 " . It also has the large axle flange with 1/2" bolt holes. believe the Grenade/Monarch uses the Timken style bearing like the Versailles.
I currently do not have axles for this housing. Interesting on the 53 3/8 measurment on bronco housing. what year is housing and can brake width play a part in both measuring 58 when assembled?
Here is a link to a tech article on my website that may help it is a docx document so it needs opened in Word or what ever you have to read a Microsoft Word document. http://fasthotrods.com/technical-information/doc_download/71-ford-9-inch.html
This Bronco housing is a '73 and I measured it bare ,with backers,drums and axles ,it would be 58",hope this helps.
65-66 Mustang 57.25 inches<O</O 67-70 Mustang 59.25 inches <O</O 71-73 Mustang 61.25 inches <O</O 77-81 Versailles 58.50 inches <O</O 74 Maverick 8" 56.50 inches <O</O 75 Mustang II 8" 57.00 inches <O</O 67-73 Mustang, Torino, Ranchero, US Fairlane 9" 59.25 inches to 61.25 inches <O</O 57-59 Ranchero and station wagon rears, 57.25 inches <O</O 66-77 Bronco 9", 58 inches <O</O
77-81 Granada/Versailles, 58 inches <O</O 67-71 Comet, Cougar, Mustang, US Fairlane, 59.25 inches <O</O 71-73 Mustang, 61.25 inches <O</O 64 US Falcon 58 inches <O</O 67 Cougar 60 inches <O</O 67 US Fairlane 63.50 inches (coil springs) <O</O 73-86 US Ford Van 3/4 ton 65.25 inches <O</O 57-59 Ranchero and station wagon 57.25 iches (narrowest 9" housing) <O</O 66-77 Bronco 58 inches but has 5-on-5 1/2 inch diameter bolt circle <O</O
Types of 9" Axles <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> 28 spline axles cannot be shortened and resplined (they're tapered) <o></o> 72 and earlier 31 spline axles have the ability to be shortened <o></o> 73 and later 9" (cars) have a 5-on-5 bolt circle and the axles cannot be shortened <o></o> 67-73 Mustang axles identified by wheel flange: oval hole - 28 splines, two large holes and counter sunk center - 31 splines. <o></o>
I am far from an expert on this; but the Granada 9" rears, I have seen, have had the axle tubes that "neck" down in diameter out towards the ends ; while the Bronco tubes are straight all the way.
52-1/4" flange to flange is '57-'59 Ford. Came in both big and small bearing depending on application. Narrowest 9" from the factory.
I need to get some of those files in the correct categories. That article is actually under frames I think on the third page. If you open the link you should get a window to open with two choices open or save. Pick open use the drop down and choose other then pick your word program and click ok and ok again. Someday I will get all these into a PDF to make it a little easier.
Thanks for all the input. I think Im just going to have to bite the bullet and order some aftermarket axles.