Projects Buddy wants to make a "speedster", what rear?

Friend of mine says he's got a '20s Ford frame, wants to make a lightweight car, "basically like a motorcycle, but a car" he says? Anyway, he said he wants to put a 4 cylinder Ford motor in it (?) and he's looking for a rear end. I've no idea if he's making it OT or not, but I figured it had to be kinda close to my interests since he was asking for my advice. Sadly, Ford parts are a little outside my realm of expertise. He said he doesn't want a 9 inch (damn, only Ford part I know!) because he doesn't need it to be bullet proof, seems he's more concerned about weight. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions or a clue what he was talking about? Thanks!

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Ford Banjo rearend. Depending on power output, 1935 or newer. The older rears aren't as strong.

 

The Ford Banjo rear is the traditional choice but if your friend just wants to build a light and fun car then the choices are endless. Go down to your local Pull-A-Part with a tape measure and look around to find something in your width range. If he wants a four cylinder Ford engine from an A or B then you have to consider what transmission options are available. I have seen several fun little roadsters built with Pinto engines that were scary fast and cheap to build.

 

I'd consider an older datsun rear with the Chevy 6×5.5 . The old Chevrolet wires and even disc wheels are cheap and pretty stout.

 

^^^Good call on the Datsun rear, bct. And, the early Chevy front axles are nice, factory drop, and narrow.
Semi elliptic fronts would round out the platform nicely, especially if a T rear spring was used. (3 springer!)
I've seen more Chevy 6 lug wire wheels lately than ever before...and they look good!

 

Gear ratio in a Datsun or related rearend will be a very low ratio----typically 4.10 and deeper. The related driveshaft components can get hairy on how to come up with a common tube size to get from domestic to Jap. True Mazda is even worse--not Ranger with Mazda badging.
On a Ford Ranger rearend, the ID tag will clearly state what gear ratio, and easy to find the components to make the driveshaft work. A larger V6/auto truck would have a faster ratio rearend.
As stated, the eyes go to a banjo Ford because of appearance.

 

How about a quick change. They can be had narrow enough and nothing says old school like a quick change and run early ford wide 5 wheels all around.