1940 ford convertible axle size

Hi I have just bought a 1940 deluxe convertible and want to fit a Chevy axel that is 60" wide with 7" or 8" wide steel wheels with 235/70/15 tyres , will this work and what back space do I need thanks for your help Carl

 

probably going to be too wide, esp. with 8" rims if you want any depth to the front space of the wheel. I am re-doing a 36 pickup (same frame and axle width as 40) that has a 8.5 10 bolt that is like 61". The wheels are going to need to be really flat faced to work. 56-58" is better.

 

68-74 Nova

67-69 Camero or Firebird

57-59 Ford

Maverick & Granada

Hope this short list helps.HRP

 

I think about 57"-58" would be Ideal

 

One way you can figure this out for your particular car is to mount tires of the size you want to use on the wheels you intend to use. Then measure the width inside the rear fender opening to the other side, allowing clearance for the tires. Having determined the width needed for the tires to clear the inside of the fenders, set the wheels/tires up with that spacing and measure from inside one wheel to inside the other. Voila'......you know the axle width that is ideal.

Depending on what that distance/width is, you may decide to juggle the wheel width or wheel offset or the amount of wheel clearance that is acceptable to get a combination that suits your goals.

Ray

 

FYI. The stock WMS to WMS of a 1940 Ford car is 59 1/2 in. Many folks use the Maverick rear that is 56 1/2 in. WMS to WMS. The 1990-95 Ford Explorer 8.8 in. rear with disc brakes is 59 1/2 in wide WMS to WMS, but has a pinion offset that is about 2 in (I am told.)

 

19Fordy,....You're right; That Explorer unit does have an offset (to the right) driveshaft,...but it'll work fine in a 40 installation. Ford used them with that offset on some export frames, 2 wheel drive Explorers, as well as ones sold to delivery vehicle makers.
4TTRUK

 

1990 and older Ranger Super Cab had an axle measurement of 56 5/8. You will have to cut the mounts off, weld on new ones, and straighten the housing after the welding. Be careful you don't choose one with small brakes. Mine is a 3.73 traction loc.

 

I have a 68 Nova in my 40 with 15X7 in back. The tires are 235-70 15 and the wheels have 3 1/4 front measurement and 4 3/4 back set. I could have used 3 1/2 front and 4 1/2 back set. 8 in wheels can't go much more offset in front and would require you to go 5 1/2 back set. I didn't use the 8 in wheels because I could'nt get any with the 5 1/2 back set. Caution ! do your own mock up before buying.

 

Here is what I use on 40's.
* 57 inch wide rear axle - 57-59 Ford or purchase a new one
* 8 inch wheel with a 4 inch backspace
* 235x75 (70)x15 in tire

Nice ride and they fill the fender wells without cutting the inner wheel wells.

 

I'm running a '57 Chevy rear end with GR70-15 on a 7 inch wheel with no problems in my '40.

 

Thank you for your replys Carl