Thread: 46 Ford Coupe Rear end and Suspension Questions

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Wanted to know if anybody has some suggestions about a rear axle to put into my 46 ford super deluxe. It has the original flathead for now, but will be upgraded after it bites the dust. I was told to find a 9in rear end. The rear suspension is going to be upgraded to a POSIES SUPER SLIDE ADJUSTABLE
REAR SPRING KITS- BOLT-IN or a weeder rear suspension, not sure yet. I want to be able to put wide tires in the rear.

i have an 8.8 out of a 2001 explorer going into my 41. it is roughly 3/4 inch wider than my stock axle. in my opinion, 9in fords are overpriced. i got my 8.8 out of a truck with 65k. the axle has 373s, locker, disc brakes and sway bar still attached (which im going to try to make work on my frame). i paid about 220 after tax.

bob

i thought i had a pic of the axles side by side, but i dont. you can see the axle behind the frame of my car in my thread about my 41 ford build. if you want, i can get a better shot of it for you. although its heavy so i dont really want to move it next to the original for a shot, at least not until im ready to move the frame again.

bob

I have a 72 Mustang under my 46 with 8" wheels with 3 3/4 backspace [225/70/15tires] and it fits good and fills fender opening. Don't recall exact width but there is lots of info on comparable width rears out of other vehicles on the internet. Joe

Anybody know a good place to find a drive shaft or if i need a different one with a Ford Explorer 8.8 rear end and the stock flathead/transmission?

I used a chevy truck unit to start on mine. then for like $60 the local race shop shortened and balanced it. they did an awesome job for that little cash

Originally Posted by KOULAIDE

Anybody know a good place to find a drive shaft or if i need a different one with a Ford Explorer 8.8 rear end and the stock flathead/transmission?

It sounds like you are going to use the stock 46 transmission, is that correct? If so it is going to be some work to convert it to open driveline. Right now it is set up for an enclosed driveshaft and you don't just bolt a regular shaft/u joint in place. There are ways to do it.......never done it myself, but not sure if the components to do it anymore are available.

Some people are putting t5 transmissions (5 speeds) behind flatheads with an appropriate bell housing/clutch set up. Looks like that has become a popular swap.........but again, it takes parts to get you there. Same with the C4 swap called flatomatic.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

It sounds like you are going to use the stock 46 transmission, is that correct? If so it is going to be some work to convert it to open driveline. Right now it is set up for an enclosed driveshaft and you don't just bolt a regular shaft/u joint in place. There are ways to do it.......never done it myself, but not sure if the components to do it anymore are available.

Some people are putting t5 transmissions (5 speeds) behind flatheads with an appropriate bell housing/clutch set up. Looks like that has become a popular swap.........but again, it takes parts to get you there. Same with the C4 swap called flatomatic.

Don

Yes it is the original trans. So what transmission can I swap if I wanted to still use the flathead and maybe relocate the shifter to the floor?

Originally Posted by tudorkeith

I used a chevy truck unit to start on mine. then for like $60 the local race shop shortened and balanced it. they did an awesome job for that little cash

Your not running a flathead are you?

sorry, mine is bastardized with a 350 combo. but it sure made my driveshaft cake. I'll be reading to see how this is solved.

Originally Posted by KOULAIDE

Yes it is the original trans. So what transmission can I swap if I wanted to still use the flathead and maybe relocate the shifter to the floor?

I don't know a whole lot about this swap (putting a T5 behind a flathead) but I read a lot. Without a doubt the best source of info on anything flathead related has to be the HAMB.........that is their area of expertise. I would go on there and do a search under T5 flathead and read all the threads and posts related. I didn't want to start posting their threads without permission, but there is one in particular that cites a Hemmings Motor News article outlining the differences between various T 5 transmissions and what cars/trucks to get them from.

I do know Wilcap makes an adapter to put this transmission behind your flathead, their 59A-350BH. http://www.wilcap.com/webdoc8.html

With a little keyboard searching you should be able to learn everything you need to know about this swap. It is the only easy way I know to get an open driveline behind your flathead, much easier than converting your existing transmission, plus you pick up 2 more gears.

Don

check out this link, not sure if it may or may not help you, I just skimmed it a little.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...B8zQlAem9u2bBw

it's an article on an open driveline conversion kit from speedway

Originally Posted by tudorkeith

check out this link, not sure if it may or may not help you, I just skimmed it a little.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...B8zQlAem9u2bBw

it's an article on an open driveline conversion kit from speedway

This would be used if i used a different engine with the stock rear axle. I am trying to do the opposite. I want to use my flathead with a Ford Explorer 8.8 rear axle. I wish I did this stuff for a living and I might have a clue on what to do or what different components are called.
thanks

Originally Posted by KOULAIDE

This would be used if i used a different engine with the stock rear axle. I am trying to do the opposite. I want to use my flathead with a Ford Explorer 8.8 rear axle. I wish I did this stuff for a living and I might have a clue on what to do or what different components are called.
thanks

I'm tota;;y unfamiliar with the whole torque tube idea, I didn't know if both ends could be changed in a similar fashion. almost looks like you could go off their Idea and make an adapter for the front.

Going back into my memory banks, there was a way years ago to accomplish converting the old Ford transmission tailshaft to open drive. But that technology is long gone and I bet the parts to do it are obsolete too. The T5 swap is such a good way to get there it just makes sense to do it like that IMO.

Don