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Thread: Rear end width questions -
          
   
   

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  1. #1
    JW Hansen is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Rear end width questions -

     



    Howdy and welcome to me -

    Being new to this forum, I am trying to find the answers to my few questions.

    First - I have a 1934 Ford with stock frame.

    1 - I need a 58 inch hub to hub Ford 8.8 inch rear end - Posi trac - about 3:50 range
    gears.

    2 - What Ford would have that measurement width with posi - trac for my project?

    3 - What is the difference between the Ford "tru loc" and the GM "Posi-trac".

    4 - Since I want BOTH tires to connect at the same time power is added, which type
    of Ford locking rear end should I look for? They have several - Air lock, Tru lock
    limited slip, etc.

    Appreciate any and all honest help.

  2. #2
    prpmmp's Avatar
    prpmmp is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    31 Ford 31 Ford
    Rear End Widths
    - - Back - -
    Home > Specs > Rear End Widths


    Representative for comparison purposes only
    Ford
    Outside
    Width Year Model
    56.50 1969-1977 Maverick 8"
    57.00 1974-1978 Mustang II 8"
    57.25 1957-1959 Ford, Ranchero, Station Wagon
    57.25 1965-1966 Mustang
    58.00 1966-1977 Bronco
    58.00 1964-1965 Falcon
    58.00 1977-1981 Granada/Versailles
    58.50 1977-1981 Versailles
    59.25 1967-1970 Mustang, Fairlane, Comet, Cougar
    60.00 1967 Cougar
    60.00 1958-1960 Edsel
    61.00 1964-1971 Ford Full Size
    61.00 1949-1951 Mercury
    61.25 1957-1972 Ford F-100 Pickup
    61.25 1960-1964 Ford Full Size
    61.25 1971-1973 Mustang
    61.25 1967-1973 Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane
    63.00 1970-1979 Ranchero & Torino
    63.00 1972-1979 Ford Full Size & Intermediate
    63.50 1967 Fairlane (Coil Springs)
    65.25 1973-1986 Ford F-150 Pickup
    65.25 1978-1986 Bronco
    65.25 1973-1986 Ford Van 3/4 Ton
    68.00 1972 Ford Van 3/4 Ton
    69.25 1977-1986 Ford E-150 Van


    Chevy
    Outside
    Width Year Model
    54.25 1983-2004 Chevy S10 2WD, GMC S15 2WD
    57.75 1962-1964 Chevy II/Nova
    57.75 1965-1967 Chevy II/Nova
    58.00 1978-1988 Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo
    59.50 1968-1982 Corvette
    60.00 1955-1964 Chevy Car
    60.00 1967-1969 Camaro
    60.25 1968-1979 Chevy II/Nova
    60.50 1984-1995 Corvette
    60.50 1964-1967 Chevelle
    62.00 1955-1959 Chevy Pickup
    62.50 1968-1972 Chevelle
    62.50 1970-1981 Camaro/Firebird

    Mopar
    Outside
    Width Year Model
    55.60 1960-1976 7 1/4 A-body
    55.60 1973-1976 8 1/4 A-body
    55.60 1966-1972 8 3/4 A-body
    55.60 All 8 3/4 A-body
    56.00 1932-1934 All Mopars
    57.40 1963-1972 7 1/4 A-body
    58.54 All 8 1/4 F-body
    58.54 All 8 1/4 M-body
    58.54 All 8 1/4 J-body
    59.00 1935-1936 All Mopars
    59.14 1966-1970 9 3/4 B-body
    59.20 1962-1970 8 3/4 B-body
    60.00 1937-1948 All Mopars
    60.70 All 8 3/4 E-body
    60.70 All 9 3/4 E-body
    62.00 All 8 1/4 B-body
    62.00 1971-1974 8 3/4 B-body
    62.00 All 9 1/4 B-body
    63.40 All 8 1/4 C-body
    63.40 1971-1974 8 3/4 B-body S.W.
    63.40 All 9 1/4 C-body
    GM & Mopar Body Style Codes

    Last Update: 04/21/09

    40 Ford 40 Ford Home - Links - Events - Store - Vendors - Forum - Pics
    G. McDowell
    carnut@carnut.com
    est. 1996

  3. #3
    rspears's Avatar
    rspears is offline CHR Member/Contributor Visit my Photo Gallery
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    JW, welcome to the forum. On your questions:

    1 & 2. 79-93 Mustangs use a 57 inch wide rear axle. 94-98 Mustangs use a 58.5 inch wide rear axle. I don't know of anything OEM (in recent years) that's exactly 58", and those older units are getting harder & harder to find after the rust bucket tax program cleared out a lot of good old stuff.
    3 & 4. From what I've seen on the Mustang posts, Ford had Equa-lock and Traction-lok but I haven't ever seen a tru loc mentioned. I believe that all of the OEM traction assist axles, unless you get into true lockers in their 4x4 applications, are a clutch pack carrier we all knew as "posi traction" back in the day. What I used is a Detroit Eaton Trutrac Performance Products | Detroit Truetrac Differentials which is a spiral gear unit that is all but bullet proof in normal operation, locks solid under power, but allows slip side to side for good manners on the street, and no additives required. A really sweet unit.
    Hope that helps. (Looks like prpmmp had a more comprehensive list, and was quicker!!)
    Last edited by rspears; 07-24-2013 at 06:07 AM.
    Roger
    Enjoy the little things in life, and you may look back one day and realize that they were really the BIG things.

  4. #4
    cffisher's Avatar
    cffisher is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Rear End Widths There are a few 58" widths here ...And welcome to CHR
    Charlie
    Lovin' what I do and doing what I love
    Some guys can fix broken NO ONE can fix STUPID
    W8AMR
    http://fishertrains94.webs.com/
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  5. #5
    randyr's Avatar
    randyr is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Car Year, Make, Model: 37 Ford tudor humpback
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    Here are some Ford Ranger/Explorer options in the 58.5-59.5 range....The Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch Rear Axles
    "It is not much good thinking of a thing unless you think it out." - H.G. Wells

  6. #6
    JW Hansen is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Thank you -

     



    Thank you guys for the great answers. I guess to meet my required fit, I will have to get a rear custom cut to fit for a whole lot more money. I guess that is part of the car game.

  7. #7
    rspears's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JW Hansen View Post
    Thank you guys for the great answers. I guess to meet my required fit, I will have to get a rear custom cut to fit for a whole lot more money. I guess that is part of the car game.
    If you're going that way check out John's Industries. Ring and Pinion Gears He'll supply you with a housing & axles, or complete. My roller came with his 9" smooth back housing and axles, then I went with a pumpkin from Just Rear End's Ford 8 and 9 Inch Posi's, Housings, Axles which is a father/son shop in Reno - great guys to deal with, and they know their stuff!
    Roger
    Enjoy the little things in life, and you may look back one day and realize that they were really the BIG things.

  8. #8
    jerry clayton's Avatar
    jerry clayton is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Just what is dialing you into exactly 58.0 inches???? Tire and wheel backspacing???? If its wheel back spacing, maybe a different rim width/backspacing could solve your puzzle????????Whats the bolt pattern? Lots of Mustang rears are 4 bolt axle flange
    And why just a ford 8.8???/ The Granada/Versile rears were 9 inchers with disc brakes at 58 inches

    What suspension method are you using???Leaf springs??Triangulated 4 bar???all these items can direct the choice to sometimes a better beginning--------

  9. #9
    JW Hansen is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    "Jerry" - Running Posies paralell leafs. Where would I find a Granada or Versille now days? Prefer 5 bolt pattern. Going to have
    Wheel Smith or Wheel Vintique make the wheels with proper setback once I get the rear. Yes, to clear rear fenders and body.
    Thank you.
    _______
    "Roger" - Reno is quite a hike from me here in AZ. Shipping is also steep. If I could find someone local that is going to Reno maybe
    I could sell them on the idea of tossing a rear in the back seat on the way home. (IF their "boss" wouldn't mind - HA)
    Thank you.

  10. #10
    jerry clayton's Avatar
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    JW

    Your in Arizona????Check your salvage yards---

    I have a complete one, but being from midwest its rusty and would need sandblasting---complete with the discs and brakes including parking brakes---they are set up for leaf spring brackets but off top of my head don't recall the spring spacing---I'll measure next time at the storage place

  11. #11
    rspears's Avatar
    rspears is offline CHR Member/Contributor Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Quote Originally Posted by JW Hansen View Post
    "Roger" - Reno is quite a hike from me here in AZ. Shipping is also steep. If I could find someone local that is going to Reno maybe
    I could sell them on the idea of tossing a rear in the back seat on the way home. (IF their "boss" wouldn't mind - HA)
    Thank you.
    Just as a point of reference, the pumpkin I bought, new 4.11 gears, yoke, and D/E TrueTrac was $1072.50 plus $60.50 shipping to my door, $1133.00 via UPS 10/2009. All new parts, set up and ready to go. I don't have a breakout on the John's Industries price for the rear housing - it was in the roller price.

    If you can find the rear you want that's a little off from 58" your wheel guy can adjust the back spacing a little on each side to make it work just fine. It'd be a whole lot cheaper if you can find a salvage unit, but there's some comfort in new stuff if it's in the budget.
    Last edited by rspears; 07-24-2013 at 08:53 AM.
    techinspector1 likes this.
    Roger
    Enjoy the little things in life, and you may look back one day and realize that they were really the BIG things.

  12. #12
    techinspector1's Avatar
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    Just a little tidbit of info for the rest of you galoots....
    The Romans determined that the track (axle width from the center of one wheel to the center of the other wheel on the same axle) for the azz end of two horses pulling a chariot worked out best at 4 ft., 8 1/2 inches (56 inches).
    Builders of continental railroads in this country in the 19th century decided that 56 inches would be a good width between the tracks.
    Henry Ford decided that if it was good enough for Roman chariots and the railroads, it was good enough for his straight axle cars, so Henry's cars were built with a 56 inch track.

    Using a yellow tire crayon, make a mark at the center of the tire. Now go to the other side and make a mark in the center of the other tire on the same axle. The measurement between the marks is the TRACK. You don't need to do any disassembly to find the track of your candidate differential in this manner.

    Knowing this makes it easy to scrounge through boneyards and find the exact width rear for your Henry, or any other car/truck, once you know the original track.
    Last edited by techinspector1; 07-24-2013 at 11:14 AM.
    glennsexton and lamin8r like this.
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  13. #13
    roadster32's Avatar
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    I would of thought a 58" wide axle with 8 x 15's too wide for the 34, usually on fendered cars we use a 55" or 56"

    .
    Its aweful lonesome in the saddle since my horse died.

  14. #14
    vara4's Avatar
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    My 65 Ranchero had a 58 but it was not a posi. My 67 mustang was over 59 and it was not posi either.
    I think the only one with a 58 with posi was the early Bronco, if you want a ford rear end.
    You may also get lucky by checking the early AMC Jeep or truck styles for posi units.
    But really those could have about anything in them from Ford, GM and Dodge

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