Looking to get rid of the 411 gears on the stock rear diff is there a lower gear for this rear end or is it best just to change the rear end for something else if so what rear works best on this shoebox, I am running a 302 / c4 Trans , thanks for any info
IIRC, the '49 thru '56 Ford cars (except wagons, T-birds, and police) used the same rear. Most ratios will be in the 3.7 range, but there were some 3.3 used in '56 so you might look for one of those as a bolt-in solution. You will find the lower numeric ratio in automatics.
I run a Maverick rear in my '50 with a 302/C4 combo. Has 3.55 gears. Does great around town and can keep up with traffic on the e-way no problem.
Hit this icon at the top of the page. You will find countless numbers of every way out there on how to do it and what to use. Age old conversation.
The easiest install is going to be from a 91-92 Ford Ranger, it is the correct width, all you have to do is use your old perches. I used 3.55 gears in mine but I have an AOD, if you are not going to use an OD transmission, I'd recommend higher gears (3.25 or thereabouts)
Is your AOD mated to a SBF or a flathead? I'm looking to swap my tired flattie for a SBF with AOD, but was thinking a Ranger rear with 3:27 just for highway cruising purposes....do you find the 3:55 fine for that?
I found a Maverick rear end a few years ago; they’re getting scarce. Width is perfect, some say it will bolt in, but I had to cut off the perches and weld new ones on (it was close, but not close enough in my opinion). I still run the flathead w/3 speed, no overdrive so I went with 3:50 gears. 2500 RPM at around 60 mph